Travolta thanks Florida city for support

OCALA, Fla., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Actor John Travolta said during his family's first public appearance in Ocala, Fla., since the death of his son Jett he is thankful for residents' support.

The Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner said Saturday that Travolta arrived in Ocala Friday evening with his wife, actress Kelly Preston, and their daughter, Ella Bleu, to take part in the Ocala opening of his new film "Old Dogs."

"Kelly, Ella and I want to thank all of you for supporting us over the last year," Travolta said. "It's meant the world to us. We know that we have a community. We know that we have friends. And we know that we are loved."

"You guys are all so down to earth, loving and caring," Preston offered in support.

The Star-Banner said hundreds of local residents were on hand Friday to see the celebrity family, who lost its fourth member to a seizure in January while the family was vacationing in the Bahamas.

A gala event paired with the Ocala opening of "Old Dogs" is estimated to have raised more than $37,500 for five non-profit agencies.

The Travoltas own an estate in an Ocala subdivision.