SamboraBlog

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. 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.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051026/CLW064

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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® software -- from distinct solutions addressing the needs of small and midsize enterprises to suite solutions for global organizations. Powered by the SAP NetWeaver® 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