WASHINGTON, D.C.— Renowned musician and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi received the 2017 Service to America Leadership Award from the NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) for his ongoing efforts to combat poverty and homelessness. Mr. Bon Jovi, whose music and public service signify the spirit of America and the principles that define the nation, received the honor at NABEF’s Celebration of Service to America Awards on June 20 in Washington, D.C.
The Service to America Leadership Award recognizes individuals and organizations responsible for improving the lives of others through extraordinary public service. Considered NABEF’s highest individual honor, the award was presented during the Celebration of Service to America Awards, held Tuesday, June 20 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Bon Jovi is the front man of the iconic Grammy Award-winning band Bon Jovi, which has been credited as one of the most successful rock bands in the world. Over three decades, the group has sold more than 130 million albums and performed nearly 3,000 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 37.5 million fans.
Mr. Bon Jovi is also chairman of the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering positive change and helping the lives of those in need “one soul at a time.” Specifically, the foundation supports programs and partnerships targeted at breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness in the United States. To date, the Soul Foundation has provided grants to nonprofit organizations across the nation working to create affordable housing for thousands of low-income individuals and families.
“Jon Bon Jovi has entertained audiences for decades and earned world-wide fame as an artist and performer,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “Despite his fame, Jon has never lost sight of community. His generous support of programs that address hunger and homelessness exemplifies the Leadership Award for which we will honor him.”
In October 2011, the Soul Foundation opened the first JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, New Jersey, which is Mr. Bon Jovi’s home state. The Soul Kitchen addresses the issue of food insecurity and has served almost 60,000 meals. In May 2016, the foundation, along with Fulfill (formerly known as The FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties) and The Peoples Pantry (INSPIRE NJ) opened The B.E.A.T. Center (Bring Everyone All Together). The community hub allows families and individuals in need to access food, job training and other resources in Ocean County, New Jersey. Also, The B.E.A.T. Center houses the second JBJ Soul Kitchen.
The foundation also aided in local recovery efforts in the days following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The following year, Bon Jovi donated $1 million to the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
This years’ Service to America award winners are listed here.
Additional information about the Celebration of Service to America Awards is available here.
About The Celebration of Service to America Awards
The Celebration of Service to America Awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from the National Association of Broadcasters and presenting sponsors Bonneville International and Hearst Television. In recent years, Sharon Stone; Gary Sinise; Paul Simon; Stevie Wonder; Glenn Close; Jeff Bridges; Quincy Jones; Sir Elton John; Bill Clinton; Laura Bush; Muhammad Ali; Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter; and Nancy Reagan; among others, have been presented with the Celebration of Service to America Leadership Award at the event. Details about the Celebration of Service to America Awards are available at http://www.nabef.org/events/sta/.
About NABEF
The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to reinforcing the future of broadcasting through a commitment to education and to advancing excellence in the diversity and community service efforts of our industry. Learn more at www.nabef.org.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
