Helping Out The Richie Sambora Way

For Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, coming full circle isn’t such a bad thing when it comes to his roots. As a thank you for giving back to the community, his hometown of Woodbridge, N.J., is honoring the lead guitarist with his very own street.

Woodbridge residents and public officials met up with Sambora yesterday to christen a local street Richie Sambora Way. The street leads to his alma mater, Woodbridge High School.

Photo: AP Photo

Outside the new Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

Last year Sambora launched “You Can Go Home,” a fundraising campaign named after the tune “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” which hails from the 2005 Bon Jovi album, Have A Nice Day.

Proceeds from the campaign go towards Kelly Mahon, a teen who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in October 2007 during her senior year at Woodbridge High.

According to the campaign’s website, “You Can Go Home” has raised over $75,000 toward Mahon’s medical costs. One goal of the program is to get Mahon home for Thanksgiving.

Mahon’s father, Matthew, told the Woodbridge Sentinel that when his daughter comes home, to a house that has been now been constructed with handicap ramps, she will need a lot of special care.

Although she can talk, maneuver in her wheelchair, feed herself and read, Mahon needs help being bathed, changed and having food prepared for her. Her brain tumor also affected her short-term memory so her family must carefully monitor the timing and dosage of her medication.

“It is my hope that people who contribute will learn and be inspired by Kelly’s amazing courage and her very special story,” Sambora said, according to the Woodbridge Sentinel. “Before she became ill, her life was all about helping others, and this program will hopefully lead others to ‘Go Home’ to help.”

In addition to his work with “You Can Go Home,” Sambora also financed the weight room at Woodbridge High School. The room is being named in honor of Sambora’s father, Adam, who died of cancer in 2007.

Bon Jovi released The Circle, the band’s eleventh studio album, Nov. 10. Bon Jovi’s 2010 North American tour kicks off Feb. 10 at KeyArena at Seattle Center in Seattle with dates through a three-night stand at Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., May.26-27 and 29. The band plays 10 gigs at The O2-London in June followed by more North American shows in July.

Click here for the AP story.

Click here for the Woodbridge Sentinel story.

Click here for the “You Can Go Home” website.