Bon Jovis 'Keep the Faith' for the Parker clinic
Iwant to remind your readers how lucky we are to live in a caring community where people in all walks of life are willing to lend a hand to help those in need.

Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea are at the top of the list of the people who truly care.

They lent a hand to the Parker Family Health Center, working with us to hold a benefit at the band's Oct. 26 concert that opened the new Prudential Center Arena in Newark.

In 2000, the Bon Jovis helped the Parker clinic get started, hosting a gala at their home that raised the funds for our Red Bank building. Two years later, they were back, with a Christmas party for donors and a concert at a local high school to help support our ongoing work.

And that's only a fraction of what the Bon Jovis do for the larger community. Jon was named a Founding Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity, building homes from Philadelphia to the Katrina-stricken coast of Louisiana.

The Philadelphia Soul, his Arena Football League team, was founded with a mission - to use the team to give back to the local community - and since the founding, the team has given away millions in the Philadelphia area.

Jon Bon Jovi is also involved with FoodBank, 180, Special Olympics and countless other groups. When organizations reach out, he responds.

At the Parker Family Health Center, we provide health care to people who are uninsured and cannot afford the cost of treatment. Last year, we recorded almost 10,000 visits by patients from all over Monmouth County. We're able to carry out our health-care mission because so many lend a hand - especially the medical and other volunteers who donate a combined 10,000 hours of service each year at the clinic.

Jon and Dorothea Bon Jovi have been lending a hand to the Parker mission since the beginning. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all they have done for the Parker Center and for the community at large.

Dr. Eugene F. Cheslock

President Parker Family Health Center

Red Bank