The Can-Do Spirit

Mariska Hargitay, Jimmy Fallon, Rachael Ray, Mario Batali, Rocco DiSpirito and Helena Christensen were among the notables who turned out for the Can-Do awards dinner to raise money for the Food Bank of New York City last night. The evening's special honoree, Jon Bon Jovi, also got to bask in the adulation of President Bill Clinton and U2's Bono. The presence of master of ceremonies Michael Stipe, lead singer of R.E.M, further enhanced the rock royalty quotient. On the red carpet, I asked arriving celebrities about their favorite Bon Jovi song. The most enthusiastic answer by far came from Batali, who without skipping a beat went into  air-guitar mode, belting out "WANTED....dead or alive!!" For all of the fun and games, the night was really about raising crucial funds for this organization, which helps see to it that the 1.3 million New Yorkers in peril of going hungry do not lack places to turn to find sustenance for their families. At present, the charity's reserves are at critically low levels and the organization is doing everything it can to get the word out about the work it can do with even $1—a donation that will supply five meals for a person who might otherwise go hungry. It kind of gives new meaning to the Bon Jovi song "I'll Be There for You."

Why Jon Bon Jovi's a Good Sport

They don't call them The Fighting Irish for nothing. Tonight, Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis and his wife, Maura, will host the Hannah and Friends benefit, a charity named for their daughter, and which is devoted to assisting individuals with special needs. Weis has wrangled some of the biggest names in football to generate buzz and dollars, including Tiki Barber, Bill Belichick, Antonio Pierce, Jesse Armstead, Mark Bavaro, Sean Landeta, Brady Quinn, John Carlson, Anthony Fasano and Tom Zbikowski, all of whom will be in attendance at this evening's St. Patrick's Day-themed gala. Rocker Jon Bon Jovi has agreed to do a special performance during the fund-raiser. And though we have not been able to get a hold of his set list, we'll cry foul if he doesn't sing "Livin' On a Prayer" and "Runaway."

Hillary: Halfway There, Livin' on a Prayer?

Soon-to-be Secretary of State Hilary Clinton hopes to see a substantial chunk of her debt erased at a fund-raiser at Town Hall Theater tonight, where Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi (seen here in an encounter that clearly never happened) will perform an accoustic set, The concert, called "Thank you, Hillary: A Salute to Hillary Clinton" is being held with the goal of whittling down the former First Lady's remaining campaign debts, which currently stand at just over $6 million. Top-tier tickets start at $1,000 and include a photo with Mrs. Clinton. No word on whether Jon Bon Jovi will jump in the photo on request. If you're at tonight's event, let us know. We'd like to hear from you.