Gore and Bon Jovi to be honored in Middletown 180, Turning Lives Around to host charity event this weekend BY KAREN E. BOWES Staff Writer Tipper Gore MIDDLETOWN - Jon Bon Jovi and Tipper Gore will be honored this weekend for their contributions to good mental health. The pair will be lauded Saturday afternoon at the 30th Anniversary Gala of 180, Turning Lives Around, a Hazlet-based nonprofit that aids the victims of domestic violence, rape and at-risk youth. "We're expecting a sold-out crowd of about 350 people," according to Anna Diaz-White, executive director of 180. "Tipper Gore will be recognized for her mental-health advocacy and Jon Bon Jovi for his philanthropic efforts." "Tipper Gore is known throughout the country and internationally for her advocacy of mental health, for getting help soon rather than waiting," she said. According to Diaz-White, Gore has worked toward "removing the stigma from receiving mental-health care and making sure people have access to mental-health services, and that of course, relates perfectly to what we're doing." Bon Jovi was chosen for his long-standing donations to 180, but especially for his recent funding of 2nd Floor, a hotline center in Philadelphia that serves Monmouth and Mercer counties, as well as parts of Philadelphia. Jon Bon Jovi The event will take place Saturday at the Navesink riverfront home of Phil and Tammy Murphy. Approximately 350 guests and media will meet under a tent on the Murphys' lawn. A full dinner will be prepared by chefs from Middletown's Restaurant Nicholas. Music will be provided by Bobby Bandiera. Attendees will enjoy a private reception with the celebrities, a silent auction and a visit to the pledge tent to meet with 180 staff, where they can decide what program they might want to support, Diaz-White said. Just because this weekend's gala is sold out doesn't mean the charity couldn't use some extra cash. The multifaceted or-ganization has an annual budget of $3.5 million, Diaz-White said, with about 60 percent of funding provided by the government and the rest raised through fundraisers such as the gala. The money goes far. With a core goal of providing aid to domestic violence and rape victims, the organization also provides safe houses, emergency shelters, long-term shelters, professional counseling, victim support groups, court assistance, offenders programs, art therapy for children and substance-abuse treatment. Diaz estimates the organization has helped about 300,000 individuals over the last 30 years. To learn more about the organization or to make a donation, call (732) 264-9114 or go to www.180nj.org.