Bon Jovi Gives $1 Million to Sandy Relief in New Jersey

New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi announced his $1 million contribution to New Jersey’s Sandy Relief Fund Monday, reports CNN.

"My being here is not political. It's emotional because I grew up here. I went to school here. I met my wife here," he said at an event in his hometown of Sayreville, N.J., held to announce the donation. "And in the days following the storm, when I visited these streets and spoke to the residents, one thought that came to me time and time again was what can I do?"

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie applauded the rock star, saying both he and his wife have always considered New Jersey a part of who they are.

“They always have New Jersey as part of who they are and in their heart,” the governor, who has been widely discussed as a potential GOP presidential candidate for 2016, said.

Bon Jovie and Christie walked the streets together to talk with residents affected by the October superstorm that destroyed the New Jersey shoreline – Christie in tie and Bon Jovi in blue blazer and jeans.

"I know that this million dollars sounds like a lot but it's really just a drop in the bucket," Bon Jovi said. "What I like to call the 'power of we,' the coming together–that means you, me, us–we are taking a step today to rebuild lives."

Bon Jovi presented his sizeable check to Christie’s wife, Mary Pat, who started the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief fund. The fund has raised more than $38 million dollars since its inception from 29,000 donors and distributed 51 grants to help people and businesses recover following the storm.