Bon Jovi Donates $50K To Improve Homes On Shinnecock Reservation

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Jon Bon Jovi continued his mission of giving on the East End in 2022, donating $50,000 to help repair homes belonging to members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea Hurley posted a New Year's Day message on the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation Facebook page, describing some of the good works performed by the charitable organization over the past year.

The grant to the Shinnecock Nation, Bon Jovi said, was meant "to make some folks' homes not just livable, but comfortable."

Bon Jovi described the emergency repair efforts at the Shinnecock Reservation on his JBJ Soul Foundation website.

The Shinnecock Indian Nation is one of the oldest self-governing tribes in the United States, the page said.

"Today, there are 275 legal dwellings on the reservation. Unfortunately, many of these homes fail to meet basic structural, health, and safety standards," the page said.

Hamptons Community Outreach, based in Bridgehampton, has been working to make repairs to the homes.

"Over the last two years, they have worked with local builders and contractors, many of whom provided their services pro bono, to complete work on 24 multi-generational houses. However, each week their committee reviews urgent requests for more home repairs on the reservation. These repairs range from roof replacement, mold remediation, floor repairs and heat installation," the page said.

Hamptons Community Outreach's work helps to reunite families who have been displaced due to unsafe living conditions, the page said.

"The JBJ Soul Foundation is proud to support their work with a grant that will help renovate multiple homes on the reservation. There is more work to be done as about 20 homes are still on their waiting list," the page said.

Marit Molin, founder and executive director of HCO, said the group is "incredibly grateful" for Bon Jovi's kindness.

Thanks to the $50,000 donation, HCO has been able to install a heating system in one family's home, a roof and a handicapped ramp in others, and also, install new flooring in a home where before there had been only sub-flooring.

"Because of the donation from the JBJ Soul Foundation, we are able to truly change people's lives and make their lives better," Molin said. "It's a beautiful story. What a wonderful thing, to give back in the way that he does."

Over the past two years, her organization has repaired 24 homes "to varying degrees, with some completely renovated and some roof replacements," Molin said. The group has replaced windows and broken doors and installed insulation.

Molin said she brought Bon Jovi's wife Dorothea to the Shinnecock Indian Nation, where she met many residents. "She's lovely," she said. "They're really such nice people."

It's not the first time Bon Jovi and his wife have brought their caring hearts to the East End. During the pandemic in 2020, the JBJ Soul Kitchen Food Bank helped East End food pantries, with the couple even making deliveries themselves.

But while the efforts were deeply appreciated, 20 other homes still need repairsi, Moline said. In addition, HCO is also helping a multi-generational family who lives in a Bridgehampton home where four children are currently sleeping on mattresses on the floor, Molin said.

"The needs are huge," she added.

Any contractors or builders who might be building to discount donate their services can call Hamptons Community Outreach at 631-488-8715.