(Image source from: Jon Bon Jovi hands out $1 million for Sandy relief})
The rock and roll icon, Jon Bon Jovi has truly lived up to the age old saying, “Charity begins at home”.
The singer handed out $1 million to hasten up relief work in his storm-torn native of New Jersey, after the deadly and destructive Hurricane Sandy ravaged the state last October.
The rocker announced the donation for the New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund during his quick visit to his native town of Sayreville, N.J., on Monday. He was accompanied by the Republican Governor Chris Christie and First Lady Mary Pat Christie during the visit.
Bon Jovi is an honorary board member of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, headed by Mary Pat Christie. The organization has brought in donations worth $38 million to the region so far.
Superstorm Sandy had wiped out more than 37,000 primary residences and 9,300 rental units along the coastline. Not only that, the storm also cause a massive property loss worth $382 million and 2.7 million power outages in the state.
"Natural disasters spare no one. But you can't imagine the devastation, destruction and despair until Mother Nature takes aim at your home town," Bon said.
“My being here is not political. It’s emotional because I grew up here. I went to school here. I met my wife here,” he said. “And in the days following the storm, when I visited these streets and spoke to the residents, one thought that came to me time and time again was, what can I do? This is bittersweet; it's heartbreaking to see our fellow New Jerseyans so affected by the ravages of Hurricane Sandy, but we're happy to make the donation and offer real, substantial help to the residents of Sayreville and the nearby, low-lying communities as they rebuild their homes and lives," added the lead singer of band Bon Jovi.
Bon Jovi, known for his philanthropic interests, has been spotted making frequent trips to his home state since the tempest stormed it.
He had earlier tried to raise funds for relief by performing at a concert in December 2012.
Image Source:
AW: Suchorita Dutta
