Pleasanton, Calif. Teen Named 'Darfur Hero' for Raising Awareness, Funds to help End Darfur Genocide

Pleasanton, Calif. Teen Named 'Darfur Hero' for Raising Awareness, Funds to help End Darfur Genocide

Student donates auction proceeds from refurbished Camaro to Darfur advocacy

WASHINGTON - The Save Darfur Coalition today honored Pleasanton teen Jon Brian as its January "Darfur Hero" for his creative awareness and fundraising techniques to help end the Darfur genocide. Brian, formerly a student at Amador Valley High School and now at Las Positas Community College, in 2007 started the non-profit organization A Car for Darfur (www.acarfordarfur.com). The organization restored a 1998 Chevrolet Camaro, then auctioned off the vehicle, with the proceeds benefiting Save Darfur.

The Heroes program, started by the coalition in 2007, highlights individuals and groups who play a crucial role in helping end the violence in Darfur through awareness-raising and other efforts. Coalition officials said Brian's creative activism includes him in the ranks of many others who work tirelessly to end the Darfur crisis.

Brian, with the help of several other classmates, started the organization as a high school junior to help fulfill his school's community service requirement. By partnering with Goodguys Rod and Custom Association, the group staffed a booth at local events to solicit donations for the project and additional sponsorships. In total, A Car for Darfur raised more than $2,000 for Darfur advocacy.

"The most important lesson that we took away from this project was that the best way to help the world at large is through a medium that you are interested in," wrote Brian. "For us, the best way was through the automotive world. When you are truly interested in an area of service, it will come through to others and they will get excited as well."

The full text of Brian's blog can be found here: http://blogfordarfur.org/2009/01/13/darfur-hero-refurbishes-and-auctions-car-to-support-darfur-advocacy/.

"Jon was able to do something remarkable with A Car for Darfur," said Save Darfur Coalition spokesperson Ashley Roberts. "He took Darfur activism to the most unlikely of places - automotive shows - and was able to raise awareness about one of the world's most pressing issues, all while doing something he loved."

Darfur Heroes will feature one outstanding activist's story each month - through a blog featured on Save Darfur's website - not just to recognize those individuals who have helped build the movement, but also to inspire others with unique awareness and fundraising tactics. Previous Darfur Heroes have included "Big Kenny" Alphin of the country music duo Big & Rich, Miriam and Jacob Hodesh - who deleted their wedding registry and instead asked friends and family to make donations to help end the Darfur genocide, and Christy Anderson - daughter of Salt-N-Pepa's DJ Spinderella who was featured on MTV's ‘My Super Sweet 16' and asked party guests to donate to Save Darfur.

The full text of Brian's blog can be viewed here: http://blogfordarfur.org/2009/01/13/darfur-hero-refurbishes-and-auctions-car-to-support-darfur-advocacy/.

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About the coalition: The Save Darfur Coalition - an alliance of 180 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations - raises public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of people throughout the Darfur region. The coalition's member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Darfur. For more information on the coalition, please visit www.SaveDarfur.org. To obtain footage from the Darfur border region, coalition events, various interviews, and more, please visit the Save Darfur Coalition media gallery at http://media.savedarfur.org. All footage may be previewed in non-broadcast quality and may be purchased in broadcast quality by filling out the purchase request form provided on the site.