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Look! Jon Bon Jovi Washed Dishes At A Charity Restaurant Catering To Those Affected By COVID-19

The rockstar was spotted working for days at a time at the Soul Kitchen, a restaurant that serves hot meals to those most in need during the COVID-19 crisis

This American music legend couldn't have said it any better himself: "If you can't do what you do, do what you can." 



See, one of the many facts about the COVID-19 pandemic is that it hasn't spared anyone; even for the famous and influential and yes, the crowd-surfing, guitar-wielding rockstars, the crisis has stopped them in their tracks and all of a sudden they're just like everyone else, sitting tight at home and wondering if and when life will ever be what it used to be before all of this happened.


For Jon, the health crisis meant putting on hold the production of his latest album and postponing his tours. 


What sets him apart from many celebrities, however, is that he's spending his time wisely, and if we say so, quite selflessly, too. 



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We're able to say that with confidence because a non-fan (as in, a person who's unable to name a single Bon Jovi song or even hum the tune of any of his Top 10 hits) who happened upon JBJ Soul Kitchen (a project of the Jon Bon Jovi Foundation) in New Jersey told a pretty awesome story about the bighearted artist.


On Facebook in March, when the pandemic was just beginning to take hold in the United States, he wrote, " I would not know Jon Bon Jovi if he walked in this building. I cannot name a single song he has ever recorded. It's not that I don't like him or his music, I have just never really been exposed to it. This superstar is washing dishes at one of his JBJ Soul Kitchen restaurants that feed the homeless. They’re still cooking. Still making food for those in need during these uncertain times. And instead of disappearing to wait out the pandemic in a fancy penthouse somewhere, Jon Bon Jovi is showing up to be a dishwasher. Now THAT’s what it means to be a rock star."


And to trump any doubts you might have of the anecdote, yes—there's a photo to prove it! Check it out below and read this Jon Bon Jovi convert's full post below. 



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The post has since been shared 87,000 times, received 76,000 reactions, and racked up 10,000 comments, as of this writing. 


It became such a big deal that fellow music man Howard Stern (the curly-haired judge you might know from America's Got Talent) interviewed Jon about it in one of his show's episodes to get the full scoop.


As it turns out, yes. That really is Jon Bon Jovi and he really is legitimately washing the pots, pans, plates, and utensils used in his charity kitchen that feeds some of New Jersey's most underserved residents. We're assuming that he still goes to the restaurant from time to time, but in previous weeks, he was there five times a week, for weeks, working as a humble but essential dishwasher instead of singing to sold-out arenas. (Remember what he said: If you can't do what you do, do what you can). 


All restaurant staff have of course followed all health protocols to protect them from infection, and so that they can keep serving their fellow Americans without worrying about their safety. 


Listen to Jon and Howard's full conversation below: 

 

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Being on break from rockstar duties isn't the only thing Jon is contending with at the moment.


His bandmate, keyboardist David Bryan, tested positive for the virus last month but has since been doing much better. (None of the other band members have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and Jon himself seems to be virus-free).


And most worrying of all, Jon's teenage son Jacob was suspected of catching the virus in mid-March because of a sudden bout of intestinal issues (one of the symptoms of COVID-19 can be an upset stomach). The entire family went on self-isolation for the prescribed 14-day period but fortunately has not reported any positive diagnoses or anyone else feeling unwell. 


Jon's latest social media post comes in the form of a photo and a caption where he praises his wife for her generosity and altruism. The photo shows her helping a man in need, still doing the work that JBJ Soul Kitchen promised to do. 



All in all, the world could definitely learn a thing or two from Jon and his family! 


Photos from @jonbonjovi