Thirteen years ago, the recording artist Jon Bon Jovi teamed with Habitat for Humanity and several corporate sponsors to build new homes in a disadvantged neighborhood in Philadelphia. During that project, he filmed the content of this video version of his song, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” This being Thanksgiving, we thought it appropriate to bring it back for a new looksee and listen. Happy Thanksgiving!
Here’s the original press release from Habitat:
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Jon Bon Jovi and Habitat for
Humanity International formally announced their partnership today to build two
duplexes (four homes) in a North Philadelphia neighborhood [it later expanded to six]. The announcement was made at the build-site, which also serves as the location for Bon Jovi’s new music video for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” — their second single from HAVE A NICE DAY (Island Records). Philadelphia Soul team members, local volunteers and families, along with corporate sponsors Comcast, SAP, Sprint,
and The Strober Organization worked together to make the project possible.
An area-resident known for his community involvement, Jon Bon Jovi
approached Habitat in June 2005 with a proposal for a local build on a large
scale. To fund the build, Bon Jovi pledged the majority of the band’s video
budget from Island Records, contributed his own money from the Bon Jovi Family
Foundation and secured additional sponsorship through pre-existing
relationships in the private sector. By setting aside a small sum to document
the process, the band planned a music video with a “think global, act local”
theme.
“Jon is internationally recognized as a celebrity who always remained true
to his roots,” said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat’s chief executive officer. “His
work with the Jon Bon Jovi Foundation and the Philadelphia Soul team is
impressive and we’re thrilled to partner with a public figure so committed to
volunteerism and his community.”
“This collaboration stems from a shared vision,” said Jon Bon Jovi, “The
idea of getting personally involved in enacting positive change in your own
community just feels right to me.”
“Habitat homeowners make a personal investment in their future by way of
‘sweat equity’ – working on their own houses, and those of others,” continued
Bon Jovi. “They also repay a no-profit mortgage over time, so this is a
commitment, not a hand-out, and I respect that.”
Directing the video for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” is Anthony M.
Bongiovi (Bon Jovi, Goo Goo Dolls, Marilyn Manson) whose TBJ Entertainment is
a multi-media production company specializing in film and high-definition
music events. TBJ’s donation of production crews and costs has been generously
enhanced by Slow Motion Inc., Matchframe Video, Fotokem, and a substantial
contribution of top-grade film from Eastman Kodak Company.
About Bon Jovi: Over the last two decades Bon Jovi has earned the respect
of the music industry and the loyalty of legions of fans around the globe.
They have sold over 100 million albums worldwide and, since forming in 1984,
Bon Jovi has performed more than 2500 concerts in 50 countries in front of
more than 32 million people. In September, 2005 Bon Jovi released their ninth
studio album, Have A Nice Day (Island Records) and in November, they will
launch a world-tour.
Bon Jovi is Jon Bon Jovi (vocals/guitar), Richie Sambora (guitars), David
Bryan (keyboards) and Tico Torres (drums/percussion). For more info on Bon
Jovi visit www.bonjovi.com and for more info on the Bon Jovi tour, visit
http://bonjovi.aeglive.com
Additionally, Jon Bon Jovi is a co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul, an
Arena Football League team that has made helping the community a cornerstone
of its identity. The team has helped direct more that $400,000 to community
groups in the Philadelphia area. www.philadelphiasoul.com
About Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia: Habitat Philadelphia formed in
March 2003 through the merger of four independent city affiliates. In all, the
affiliates together built more than 100 houses and now, working as one, the
affiliate is working to increase its house-building capacity. Building is
going on in neighborhoods where years of disinvestment have left residents
with blighted properties and substandard housing.
About Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity
International, based in Americus, GA, is an ecumenical Christian ministry that
welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty
housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100
countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than one
million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
About Comcast: Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA; CMCSK)
(www.comcast.com) is the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and
communications products and services. With 21.4 million cable customers, 7.7
million high-speed Internet customers, and 1.2 million voice customers,
Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation
of broadband cable networks and in the delivery of programming content.
The Company’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment
Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, OLN, G4, AZN Television, PBS KIDS
Sprout, TV One and four regional Comcast SportsNets. The Company also has a
majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the
Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball
team and two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia. Comcast Class A common
stock and Class A Special common stock trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under
the symbols CMCSA and CMCSK, respectively.
About SAP: SAP is the world’s leading provider of business software
solutions*. Today, more than 28,200 customers in over 120 countries run more
than 96,400 installations of SAP(R) software — from distinct solutions
addressing the needs of small and midsize enterprises to suite solutions for
global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver(R) platform to drive
innovation and enable business change, mySAP(TM) Business Suite solutions are
helping enterprises around the world improve customer relationships, enhance
partner collaboration and create efficiencies across their supply chains and
business operations. SAP industry solutions support the unique business
processes of more than 25 industry segments, including high tech, retail,
public sector and financial services. With subsidiaries in more than 50
countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt
stock exchange and NYSE under the symbol “SAP.” www.sap.com
About Sprint Nextel: Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of
wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and
government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing,
engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust
wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant
national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning
and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit
www.sprint.com
About The Strober Organization: Founded in 1912, The Strober Organization,
Inc. serves professional builders, remodelers and contractors with 89
locations along the eastern seaboard from Connecticut to Florida and as far
west as Mississippi and Ohio. Strober distributes a full line of high quality
building materials, including lumber, millwork, roofing, gypsum, steel framing
and acoustical products. For additional information about Strober, visit
www.strober.com
