Soul Co-Owner Jon Bon Jovi Sets up Benfit Ebay Auction
August 14, 2006 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Soul co-owner Jon Bon Jovi placed four autographed Soul Jerseys on eBay for auction today, Monday, August 14, to raise money for Project H.O.M.E in Philadelphia. Three of the jerseys contain celebrity signatures from Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, Rainn Wilson, Scarlett Johannsen, Tommy Lee and "Extra's" Mark McGrath - all of which were gathered by the nationally syndicated entertainment news magazine show Extra throughout several days of superstar interviews.
Additionally, signatures gathered by Bon Jovi himself, which also appear on some of the jerseys, include Michael Douglas, Diana Ross, Jessica Alba, Shannon Elizabeth, Sheryl Crow, Kanye West, Eva Longoria, Anna Nicole Smith, Kelly Osbourne, Jenny McCarthy, Slash, Clay Aiken and Kix Brooks, among others.
Extra recently took Jon Bon Jovi's philanthropic endeavors to heart when the rock star, who has a track record of charitable involvement, asked the show's on-air personalities to autograph a handful of Philadelphia Soul Jerseys and was thrilled when the show took it one step further. By bringing the jerseys with them as they interviewed some of the world's biggest stars, they collected autographs along the way. When Extra's New York correspondent, Tanika Ray, interviewed Jon Bon Jovi at one of the bands three sold-out homecoming shows at Giants Stadium which closed out the band's "Have a Nice Day" World Tour, she surprised the star with the good deed that her show had done. The three jerseys, along with a fourth autographed jersey that the band brought to the 2004 American Music Awards, will now be auctioned on eBay in order to raise money for Project H.O.M.E. in Philadelphia.
"My mission with the Philadelphia Soul has been to use the team as a means to help local charities and causes in the community," says Jon Bon Jovi. "'Extra' took up the challenge. My sincere gratitude to Extra and to all the celebrities who were generous with their time and added their signatures to help me raise money for the incredible work that Project H.O.M.E. does."
The Philadelphia Soul franchise launched in 2004 with a commitment to become more than just a sports franchise. Their involvement with local charities within the Philadelphia community remains strong. Each season the Soul identifies local causes with whom they partner. The Soul donates money and time to the worthy charities and also help raise the awareness of the cause among their fans and the local Philadelphia market.
This year, Jon Bon Jovi and the Soul have partnered with Project H.O.M.E. - a nonprofit organization founded by Sister Mary Scullion and Joan Dawson McConnon in 1989. The organization provides a full range of services for chronically homeless people with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders, including street outreach, safe havens, permanent supportive housing and a range of services to supplement housing. This continuum is an important part of Project H.O.M.E.'s success: each person is recognized as an individual with unique needs. Services at each facility are different; some residents are not ready to accept regimented drug or alcohol treatment, while others may be able to live almost independently. Largely responsible for drastically reducing the issue of homelessness in the city of Philadelphia, Project H.O.M.E. is recognized nationally as a model program that other organizations addressing the issue of homelessness strive to emulate in helping solve the problems they face in their own cities.
For more information on BON JOVI, please visit www.bonjovi.com
For more information on Bon Jovi merchandise and for a direct link to the Charity Auction, please visit www.bonjovionline.com
For more information on PROJECT H.O.M.E., please visit www.projecthome.org
For more information on EXTRA, please visit www.extratv.com
Season tickets for the Soul's 2007 season are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $96. For more information call (888) PHIL-AFL or log on to www.philadelphiasoul.com. The Soul are entering their fourth season in the AFL and have drawn a League best 387,491 fans combined during the past three years.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from August 14, 2006
- Soul Co-Owner Jon Bon Jovi Sets up Benfit Ebay Auction - Philadelphia Soul
- Gladiators' Marlion Jackson and Tupe Peko Sign with NFL - Las Vegas Gladiators
- 2007 Youth Football Program Set To Kick Off - Grand Rapids Rampage
- The OSC Interview: Philadelphia Soul Head Coach Bret Munsey - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
