“Step Up & Stomp Out AIDS,” the charity walk at this summer’s Key Club International Convention in Orlando, raised a whopping total of nearly $30,000.  The proceeds will support Grassroot Soccer, a program to train Africa’s professional soccer players to teach children about HIV/AIDS prevention.

Four preliminary “steps” preceded the actual start of the walk: 

• Former professional soccer player Ethan Zohn won the Survivor: Africa reality TV show.
• Ethan then used a portion of his $1 million winnings to create the Grassroot Soccer program. 
• Key Club invited Ethan to be the keynote speaker at its International convention.
• Ethan then challenged convention attendees to raise pledges of at least $10 each and join him on the one-mile walk.

In his keynote address, Ethan shared lessons he learned from Survivor that contributed to his decision to form Grassroot Soccer. “During my entire time out there (filming Survivor), not one person voted against me,” he said. “What I really learned was that by trying to be selfless in a selfish world, teaching and leading by example, and being a member of the community will do more than help you win a TV show. All those things can help you grow and make a difference in the real world.” 

Together, Ethan Zohn and Key Club made a difference in Orlando.