In support of their on-going campaign to help the homeless, Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole are launching the “R.S.V.P. to HELP” online auction to raise money for charity. The 10-day eBay auction, which runs from February 5 at 4 PM PST/7 PM EST to February 15, features twenty-six one-of-a-kind experiences and is a continuation of their successful event held last week in New York City. All proceeds from the online offering will benefit Habitat for Humanity, HELP USA and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation. To view the items or place bids, log onto www.rsvptohelp.org.
“Once an idea becomes action, an energy is created that can be contagious,” says Jon Bon Jovi, whose global rock icon status is offset by his commitment to the working-class community where he grew up. “People who want to help — or who need help — get discouraged because they don’t know how to take the first step. I’m trying to make it a little easier by connecting the people with something to give with the people in need. When the connection is made, whatever town you call home becomes a better place.”
The Internet auction boasts several exclusive and highly sought after packages, including a Saturn OUTLOOK(TM) designed by Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole. This one-of-a-kind vehicle features a special exterior color in carbon flash metallic, embroidered seats with Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole logos, 19″ Chrome wheels and a chrome side assist step. The OUTLOOK(TM) is loaded with a Jon Bon Jovi entertainment package, including 3 built-in DVD players, Jon Bon Jovi DVD, and a pre-loaded iPod with Bon Jovi music, as well as a Kenneth Cole “getaway package,” consisting of leather luggage, leather key ring and sunglasses.
Habitat For Humanity has generously offered up two “build slots” during the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007, which takes place in Los Angeles from October 28 – November 2, 2007. The highest bidder will also receive airfare for two courtesy of Delta Airlines, two tickets to a small VIP reception with the President and Mrs. Carter during the same week, as well as two tickets to opening and closing ceremonies.
The “R.S.V.P. to HELP” auction contains something for everyone! Music lovers will have the opportunity to bid on experience packages with their favorite artists, including Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake and Aerosmith. Sports fanatics can vie for unique experiences, including suites for the bidder and friends to see the New York Giants, Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers and other top sports teams. Fashion gurus will find many dream items, such as a package of five designer handbags and tickets to a menswear fashion show during New York Fashion Week. Travel aficionados can bid on several luxurious vacations, which will take them to places like Germany, London and Cancun.
Jon and Kenneth have already raised in excess of $1,000,000 through the “R.S.V.P. to HELP” campaign. On January 25, they co-hosted a benefit at Tribeca Rooftop in New York City, where the live auction alone raised upwards of $750,000. In addition, a portion of proceeds from the sales of Kenneth Cole R.S.V.P., the new men’s fragrance manufactured by Coty Inc., will be donated to the three charities. The sales of a limited-edition collection of Kenneth Cole/Jon Bon Jovi designer jackets will benefit HELP USA.
“I am honored to collaborate with Jon on such a heart-warming project as R.S.V.P. to HELP. We have the same vision of helping those less fortunate and the partnership just works,” says Kenneth Cole.
For more information about the “R.S.V.P. to HELP” campaign and the online auction, please visit www.rsvptohelp.org.
About Coty Inc.
Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry. Coty Inc. delivers innovative products to consumers in 91 markets worldwide.
Today, Coty Inc. is the world’s largest fragrance company and a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of $2.9 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of 40 designer, celebrity and lifestyle brands.
The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra- prestige stores and includes designer brands – Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloe, Jette Joop, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, Vera Wang and Vivienne Westwood; celebrity brands — Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker; and lifestyle brands — Chopard, Davidoff, Lancaster, Nautica and Phat Farm.
The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes designer brand — Pierre Cardin (in Europe); celebrity brands — Celine Dion, David and Victoria Beckham, Desperate Housewives Isabella Rossellini, Kylie Minogue, mary-kateandashley and Shania Twain; and lifestyle brands — adidas, Aspen, Astor, Calgon, Chupa Chups, Esprit, Exclamation, Jovan, Miss Sixty, Miss Sporty, Rimmel, Stetson, the healing garden and Vanilla Fields. For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.
About Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.
Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources, and markets a broad range of footwear, handbags, and accessories under the brand names “Kenneth Cole New York,” “Kenneth Cole Reaction,” “Unlisted, a Kenneth Cole Production,” and “Tribeca, a Kenneth Cole Production,” as well as footwear under the proprietary trademark “Gentle Souls” and under the licensed trademark “Bongo.” The Company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel as well as fragrances, timepieces, eyewear, and several other accessory categories. The Company’s products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, and company-owned retail stores as well as direct-to- consumer catalogs and e- commerce. Further information can be found at www.kennethcole.com.
About Jon Bon Jovi
Musician, singer, songwriter and actor, JON BON JOVI is most recognizable as the voice for the band BON JOVI. Since the group’s formation in the early 1980’s, BON JOVI has sold more than 100 MILLION records worldwide and at over 2,700 shows in 47 countries more than 32 million fans have seen BON JOVI in concert. The band’s latest album, HAVE A NICE DAY, includes the smash hit “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” which made history as Bon Jovi became the first rock band ever to have a #1 hit on the country chart. The tour that followed was one of the top grossing tours of 2005/2006, playing to more than 2 million concertgoers worldwide. As the co-owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul, Jon Bon Jovi introduced a new model of sports ownership. From the inception of the franchise, the mission was to use the team to give back to the local community. Heading into their fourth season, the Philadelphia Soul Organization has given away $2 million to local causes. Bon Jovi’s charitable works focus on the issue of homelessness and include: the creation of the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, the launch of a limited edition outerwear collection with Kenneth Cole New York (with proceeds benefiting HELP USA), partnering with Project HOME in Philadelphia and a sustained partnership with Habitat for Humanity that has thus far provided 49 families with a place to call home. Please visit www.bonjovi.com.
Jon Bon Jovi’s partnerships:
Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole’s partnership began in October 2006 with a collaborative, limited-edition outerwear collection. The line became available at Kenneth Cole retail stores and Saks Fifth Avenue stores last November. As Kenneth Cole introduces his newest fragrance, R.S.V.P. Kenneth Cole, Jon Bon Jovi’s participation in the campaign is founded on the message of “responding to the call,” to affect positive change. One hundred percent of the money raised from the “R.S.V.P. to HELP” fundraiser’s ticket sales, donations, and auction will benefit Habitat For Humanity, HELP USA, and The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of R.S.V.P. Kenneth Cole products will be donated to Habitat For Humanity, HELP USA, and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.
Jon Bon Jovi announced the Phase V Homeownership Project in October 2006 at a press conference attended by President Clinton. By enhancing the work of Project Home in Philadelphia with assistance and funding from Habitat For Humanity, Saturn, and the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, the renovation of 15 deteriorated row-homes in one of North Central Philadelphia’s most in-need neighborhoods was begun.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Bon Jovi appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show with a surprise $1 million donation that has since been used by Oprah’s Angel Network and Habitat For Humanity to build 28 homes in Houma, Louisiana.
Jon Bon Jovi, who has since been named Habitat For Humanity’s first-ever Ambassador, first partnered with the organization in October 2005 when a Bon Jovi/Habitat build site of four homes (since increased to six homes) served as the video shoot location for their chart-topping, Grammy-nominated single, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”
Information on the beneficiaries:
Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
HELP USA’s mission is to empower the homeless and others in need to become and remain self-reliant. Through the development of quality housing with on site support services, HELP USA provides resources for its residents to become independent and productive.
The Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation exists to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair through the creation of programs and partnerships that break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. It is the organization’s goal to offer assistance in establishing programs that provide for permanent, affordable housing while supporting social services and job training programs.
For information about the above organizations go to www.habitat.org, www.helpusa.org, and www.philadelphiasoul.com/community.
