Having previously addressed the same gathering in Washington, D.C. in the Summer of 2005, Jon Bon Jovi spoke to the attendees at the opening session of this year’s conference, sharing his thoughts and visions for volunteerism and charity work, and talking about the success, thus far, of the work done by the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.
Bon Jovi represented the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) and shared in the announcement of EIF’s new multi-year campaign to help make service and volunteerism a national priority. Many of the efforts EIF supports lends themselves to projects and mutual organizations with whom the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation already collaborate.
This event dovetailed with the launch of the Obama Administration’s United We Serve campaign. Dignitaries who addressed the conference included First Lady Michelle Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady, Maria Shriver.
Following his remarks, Jon Bon Jovi performed a short acoustic set, including the hits “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” (He also offered attendees a preview of a yet-to-be-released, new song, “Work For The Working Man,” which speaks to the very issues confronting Americans on the economic and job front these days.)
If you would like to read Jon Bon Jovi’s remarks at the conference, CLICK HERE
For more information on the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, CLICK HERE.
If you are interested in learning more about the Summer of Service being championed through the White House’s United We Serve program, CLICK HERE.
Following is the Official Media Alert issued with regards to Jon Bon Jovi’s participation and attendance at this event.
EIF Announces New Nationwide Service Initiative with Wide-Spread Industry Support at San Francisco Conference, Monday, June 22, 2009
Who:
JON BON JOVI, MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY, and many others.
What:
On behalf of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Jon Bon Jovi and Matthew McConaughey will make special appearances at the National Conference for Service and Volunteering. To an audience of more than 4,500 service leaders, they will share plans for EIF’s new multi-year campaign to help make service and volunteerism a national priority. Hollywood’s leading charity has received wide-spread support from the entertainment industry, and, later this year, will launch an unprecedented campaign beginning October 19th. As a center piece, broadcast networks will use America’s favorite TV shows and personalities to shine a spotlight on the power of service. Additionally, EIF is joining with AARP and the power of its nearly 40 million members, and is working with the ServiceNation coalition of 200 service organizations and the Points of Light / HandsOn Network to build a grassroots movement.
At the opening session, Jon Bon Jovi will address the conference and play a short musical set to celebrte the year-round work of hundreds of service organizations represented at the event. Matthew McConaughey will introduce a brief video that will give the group a sneak peak at what EIF and the entertainment industry have planned. Both are longtime supporters of service. As the founder of the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, Jon Bon Jovi has taken up the fight against homelessness and poverty across the country. Likewise, Matthew McConaughey’s charitable organization, j.k. livin foundation, is working to bring after-school fitness and wellness prograrms to underserved communities nationwide.
Earlier this year, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, a bipartisan act calling for the largest expansions of community and national service since the launch of the Civilian Conservation Corps 75 years ago.
About EIF:
The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), as a leading chariable organization of the entertainment industry, has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars to support charitable initiatives addressing critical health, education and social issues.
For more information about EIF, please CLICK HERE
