Inspiring Stories: Melina Kokkalas visits Jon Bon Jovi’s JBJ Soul Kitchen

(Reprinted from "Inspiring Stories That Make A Difference")

I am the winner of the 2017 Loukoumi Dream Day Contest. At the Loukoumi party, I was sitting at my table when suddenly Mr. Katsoris announced that they would now be viewing some of the Dream Day videos. At that point I got really excited. When my Dream Day video began playing, I saw all my friends looking at me with smiles on their faces. I told myself that that it didn’t matter if I won—it was following my dream that was important. The videos kept on playing throughout the party. Then it was finally time to announce the winner. and I held my breath. “The winner is . . . Melina Kokkalas!” announced Mr. Katsoris.

I started jumping for joy. It was one of the best moments of my life! When he told me what I would do for my Dream Day, I totally freaked out. It completely matched my dream. My dream is to open up a restaurant and feed people who cannot afford a healthy meal. That is what JBJ’s Soul Kitchen does, and that is where I was going. By the way, JBJ stands for JON BON JOVI!

The JBJ Soul Kitchen makes healthy gourmet food fresh from their gardens and provides meals for people who can afford to pay but also for people who cannot. As I arrived at the restaurant to live out my Dream Day, I saw a garden in front of the restaurant. It turns out that most the food they use to cook the meals comes from their own gardens. I harvested crops from the garden and helped serve food to some of the tables. I loved the idea of this restaurant; I mean, what’s better than fresh food from the earth? And then, all of a sudden, a car pulled into the parking lot and out stepped JON BON JOVI! I gathered the courage to approach him and tell him why I was there. He was very kind and easy to talk to and offered to take a picture with me. After the picture he told me something I will never forget. He said I should keep doing good and not let anything stop me. I will always remember his words and this experience, and I hope one day to be on the other end, repeating those words to another kid that has dreams of helping feed people who are hungry.