Drag racing’s top rivals to share in common mission; bringing awareness to the needs of the people of South Sudan, Africa.

St. Louis, MO (September 26, 2013) – Hope4Sudan.org announced today that several of NHRA’s top drivers will join the fight to feed, educate and immunize the South Sudanese people.  The campaign will take place at the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals on September 27-29, 2013.  Twenty-one teams, including Kalitta Motorsports, have committed to displaying Hope4Sudan decals; in what will prove to be the largest showing of support to date from the drag racing community.

The Hope4Sudan organization was founded in 2008 by one of Drag Racing’s own, Lauren Pickens (former Team Owner of Clay Millican’s Top Fuel Dragster).  “During my first trip to South Sudan, I saw children who were completely naked, sick and hungry. They were so desperate.  I literally didn’t know if they would be alive when I returned the next day.  Now, I come back to our compounds and see those same children who were nearly lifeless, now healthy, playing and having fun like a normal child should. I am so humbled and blessed to know I had a part in making a difference in their lives,” Pickens said.  

The 501(c)3 organization operates through donations and volunteerism with 100% of the donation dollars going to the establishment of compounds with deep water wells, schools, medical clinics and churches.  Since its inception, Hope4Sudan has developed several components; each bringing global recognition and support to the cause:  

Lauren Health Care Center:  Is a clinic licensed by the government of South Sudan and is recognized as the best medical treatment center in the area.  It currently meets the medical needs of over 2,500 people per year.  Medical services are free.  

Mobile Team Clinics:  Hope4Sudan provides teams of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals from the U.S. and all over the world to travel out of the villages and bring medical attention to remote areas where no medical facilities are available.  

Immunization Teams:  Teams of health care providers administer vaccines like DPT, tetanus, tuberculosis and oral polio.  These vaccines can mean the difference between life and death in a region where these preventable diseases run rampant.  

Hope4Sudan Primary School:  The school began in 2008 with kindergarten and first grade.  Each year, as the children advance, a new grade is added.  The Hope4Sudan students finished first in the county in standardized testing.  

Feeding Programs:  Hope4Sudan provides various feeding programs which are supported by donations and food sponsorships of only $25/month.

Pickens also said, “A small amount of money goes such a long way in South Sudan. What a couple would spend going out to a movie and getting refreshments just one night, could feed an entire family for a month or longer.”

When asked about the organization and its relevance to drag racing, Top Fuel driver and 2012 World Champion Antron Brown, said “This truly is a great cause; one that I feel deserves our support.  It is not often that a member of our drag racing community embarks on such a global endeavor. I feel blessed to be able to team up with Lauren and I hope people can find it in their hearts to donate and truly make a difference.”  

For more information on The Hope4Sudan Organization and to donate, please visit Hope4Sudan.org or Hope4Sudan 3505 Houston Levee Rd. Germantown, TN 38139.  All media inquiries can be sent directly to Michelle Domagala, at info@hope4sudan.org