FREEHOLD – WWZY 107.1 The Boss hosted its 7th Annual Mistletoe Rock Radiothon to benefit JBJ Soul Kitchen, a non-profit community restaurant, run by the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. The fundraiser was presented by Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9 of Central Jersey and powered by Hutchins HVAC. It took place on Friday December 6th, 2024, with simultaneous live broadcasts from Freehold Raceway Mall and JBJ Soul Kitchen locations in Red Bank and Toms River. This year’s campaign raised another $56,252 for the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation ($128,483 cumulatively), which will help to provide more than 2,812 meals to those in need.
JBJ Soul Kitchen seeks to provide locally sourced, 3-course meals to both paying customers and guests facing food insecurity in a warm and welcoming restaurant setting. Since opening, the organization has served over 196,000 meals through its unique Pay-It-Forward model. Guests pay the suggested donation for their meal and can choose to make an additional donation to help provide a meal for someone who is unable to pay. All are welcome, regardless of their ability to donate.
107.1 The Boss’s “Robby and Rochelle in the Morning” kicked off the radiothon at 6am LIVE from Freehold Raceway Mall and were followed by Michele Amabile, Cane Peterson, and various 107.1 The Boss on air personalities who broadcasted live from the mall and JBJ Soul Kitchen’s Red Bank and Toms River locations throughout the day. Interviews were conducted with New Jersey’s very own Jon Bon Jovi, Dorothea Bongiovi, volunteers, and patrons of JBJ Soul Kitchen, all who shared their touching stories and mission of JBJ Soul Kitchen in their communities, and more.
Photo courtesy Press Communications, LLC.
“I’d like to thank all the listeners who tuned in and donated”, said Dorothea Bongiovi, Founder of JBJ Soul Kitchen. “I want to thank the wonderful staff of 107.1 The Boss and our sponsors. Our radiothon is a powerful testament to the generosity and spirit of community that defines JBJ Soul Kitchen. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share the work of our small but mighty organization, and the impact we have in our community even as we see our in-need population increase, many of whom work, but are unable to make ends meet”.
“Thank you to our team for an outstanding job and to the JBJ Soul Kitchen crew for their partnership. And most especially our listeners and advertisers for their amazing support! Humbled and grateful.” said Robby Bridges, VP of Programming and co-host of Robby and Rochelle in the Morning.
Generous 107.1 The Boss listeners donated in person at all three broadcast locations, via the AJ Perri Phone Bank, and through the New Jersey Natural Gas Online Donation Center. $107+ donors were dubbed “Partners in Soul” and received a commemorative t-shirt with select shirts autographed by Jon Bon Jovi as a gift for their support of the organization, made possible by Builders General Supply Company. All in-person donors received a delicious “Boss” cookie courtesy of Chocolate Carousel in Wall.
Donors and auction bidders vied for a Jon Bon Jovi autographed guitar, Five night stay at a vacation home in the Reunion Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, Tickets to any 2025 New Jersey Devils Home game, Photo session with celebrity photographer Jessielyn Palumbo, Jon Bon Jovi autographed Decoupage guitar, 14k white gold diamond necklace from Earth Treasures, Two night stay at the Hotel Edison in New York City, Party suite tickets to see Blake Shelton, Jon Bon Jovi autographed collectors edition Monopoly, Vintage t-shirt autographed by Jon Bon Jovi, Ticco Torres, David Bryan & Richie Sambora, Lunch with Dolores Cantania of the Real Housewives of New Jersey, gourmet dinner for four from celebrity Chef Covas, Jon Bon Jovi autographed “tour used” road case, Party suite tickets to see Sebastian Maniscalco, New York Jets tickets to a game in 2025, Portrait session with Marconi Photography, and flight lessons from Monmouth Jet Center.
The fundraising efforts culminated on Wednesday, December 11th, at the Mistletoe Rock After-Party, hosted by Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. The party was headlined by “Nine Deeez Nite, the Tribute to the 90’s” on the Earth Treasures Fine Jewelers Stage. On-site donations were also collected for JBJ Soul Kitchen. The evening ended with a “big check” presentation by 107.1 The Boss on-air personalities to the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchen, featuring the total amount raised by the campaign to date.
The 7th Annual Mistletoe Rock Radiothon was also made possible by Irwin Lincoln & Irwin Mazda, NJR Home Services, Brightside Branding, At Home Recreation, Rotem Dental, Joe Leone’s Catering, Gellman Images, Saltwater House, Hampton Water, Lori Donnelly from Weichert Realty, Tara Coffman from New York Life, and Basie Center for the Arts.
Photo courtesy Press Communications, LLC.
Since its inception, the 107.1 The Boss Mistletoe Rock Radiothon has raised over $241,000 for local charitable organizations at the Jersey Shore. For more information about the Mistletoe Rock Radiothon, its partners, or how to still donate, please email info@PressCommRadio.com.
About Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation/JBJ Soul Kitchen: Since 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has worked to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness, and hunger in communities across America. Through grant funding of local and national partner projects and creating sustainable programs, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has helped provide funding for almost 1,000 units of affordable housing and shelter in 12 states and Washington D.C. for thousands of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and financial instability including youth and veterans. For more information, please visit jbjsf.org.
The Foundation expanded its mission in 2011 to address issues of food insecurity and currently operates two JBJ Soul Kitchen community restaurants in Red Bank and Toms River, NJ, in addition to JBJ Soul Kitchen at Rutgers University-Newark and New Jersey City University to address the issues of student food insecurity. JBJ Soul Kitchen serves nutritious, culinary dishes using a “pay it forward” model where there are no prices on the menu, but instead, you are encouraged to make a suggested donation. If you are unable to donate, you are invited to join our community to learn about volunteer opportunities and resources.
Since its inception, JBJ Soul Kitchen has served over 196,000 combined meals. JBJ Soul Kitchen of Red Bank received the 2023 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award, a recognition that only 1% of TripAdvisor’s 8 million listings get, and we’re proud to be the only restaurant in New Jersey to receive this award. JBJ Soul Kitchen Toms River secured the 2023 Travelers’ Choice winner title, proudly ranking in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide. The award celebrates businesses that have received great traveler reviews from diners around the globe on TripAdvisor over the last 12 months. For more information, please visit jbjsoulkitchen.org.
About Press Communications, LLC: Press Communications, LLC is a locally owned, privately held company that began its NJ operations in 1879. Press is a cross-channel broadcast, digital, and event company that entertains and informs approximately 500,000 people monthly. The Company prides itself on building customized solutions for local businesses that create value and drive success for its constituents. Press Communications is best known for its operations that include six top rated Nielsen radio stations in Monmouth & Ocean County, including Jerseys Best Country – Thunder 106, 107.1 The Boss – playing Classic Rock Hits & More, The Jersey Shore’s #1 Hit Music Station – B-98.5, and The Jersey Shore’s Feel Good Station – The Breeze 100.7/1410.
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