Jon Bon Jovi has been known for loud guitars, big hair, and acid-washed jeans. He's a world-famous musician, actor, and an Academy Award-nominated songwriter.

You probably don't know about his most important work, though, as a philanthropist. Instead of spending all his money on himself, he's been giving it to people who need it. He's a great example of thrift and generosity.

In some Philadelphia neighborhoods, people are stuck living on not much more than a prayer. Jon has worked with local families to build them homes, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. In 2005, he worked alongside six families, hammering, sawing, sanding, and painting until they had homes to live in. Even though he paid for the homes, they own them

His next project is to renovate a whole block of 15 rowhomes in North Philadelphia. He'll pick up the tab again, and sweat alongside these hard-working families.

Although he's from the area, his charitable work doesn't stop here. He did the same thing on the Louisiana coast after Hurricane Katrina, providing $1,000,000 to build 28 homes with low-income families.

This past summer, after violence broke out in Iran, Jon and his Bon Jovi bandmates made a song with Iranian superstar Andy Madadian, and sent it to the people of Iran. The song, a version of Ben E. King's "Stand By Me", expressed world-wide solidarity with Iranians. Do you see the sign Jon is holding up? It says, "We are one" in Persian, the official language of Iran.

It just goes to show you that every single person has the capacity to be a hero of character. The people you see on TV, the people you see on the street, and the person you see in the mirror.

Thanks for the good work, Jon, and for being such a good example of thrift and generosity!