Jon Bon Jovi is one of three recipients of the 36th Annual Common Wealth Awards of Distinguished Service.
The awards are given to people and organizations for lasting contributions to modern culture with Bon Jovi receiving the award for Public Service, actor Edward Norton for Public Service and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales for Mass Communications.
Nicholas M. Marsini, Jr. regional president of PNC Bank, said "The 2015 Common Wealth Award honorees are distinguished achievers in their respective fields who share a broader commitment to global social responsibility. We applaud these individuals for their numerous accomplishments and we look forward to their future contributions to society."
From the press release for the award:
Musically and philanthropically, Jon Bon Jovi’s work honors the spirit of America and salutes the principles that define our nation. Self-reliance, optimism and community are key concepts he embodies, not just in his music, but also in his charitable efforts. These common threads have resulted in millions of dollars raised while bringing heightened awareness to the issues that adversely impact our society.
Mr. Bon Jovi is Chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing about positive change and helping the lives of those in need “one SOUL at a time.” The Soul Foundation focuses on finding solutions to the issues that force families and individuals into economic despair with programs and partnerships targeted at breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness. To date, Jon Bon Jovi and the Soul Foundation have provided funding for affordable housing and shelter for thousands of low-income individuals and families throughout the country.
The projects funded by the Soul Foundation address the issues of food and shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Facilities and projects which have benefited range from temporary shelters, transitional housing for teens, permanent supportive housing including housing for vets and special needs populations, as well as home ownership opportunities. In October 2011, the Foundation expanded by opening the JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, NJ to address issues of food insecurity, and has since served more than 34,000 meals. The community kitchen serves nutritious, culinary dishes in a restaurant atmosphere where diners contribute either volunteer hours or a minimum donation for their meals. Staying true to Bon Jovi’s roots, the Foundation also aided in local recovery efforts and helped those in need in the days following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The following year, he reaffirmed the band’s ongoing commitment to the people of their home state by donating $1 million to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
As the Foundation continues to expand, the goal is to assist with rebuilding pride in one’s self and one’s community – one SOUL at a time.
Musically, the Grammy Award winning rock band Bon Jovi has set the bar for over three decades as one of the most successful rock bands in the world. Globally, they have sold more than 130 million albums, performed more than 2,900 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 37.5 million fans. Throughout the years, the band has consistently delivered #1 albums and Top Ten hits - most recently, Mr. Bon Jovi’s 14th album, WHAT ABOUT NOW, debuted at #1 around the globe while the accompanying Tour closed out 2013 as the #1 tour in the world.
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