Cheers to Don Austere!

By scott, November 1, 2011

He’s done it again. With his less-than conventional methods, Sean V. (a.k.a. Don Austere) has won the 2011 90octane Mustache Challenge and thereby contributed $500 to the Elias Fund. From both Don and all of us here at the Elias Fund, we extend a massive ‘thanks’ to everyone who took the time to vote for Don. True to form, Don has released a short Thank You & Outtakes video. Don’t miss it!

A Side Note for Mustaches

By scott, October 27, 2011

Sean V. of the Denver-based company 90octane annually participates in a company-wide mustache challenge. Participants are challenged to grow the most superior mustache with the winner receiving $500 to donate to one’s charity of choice. Sean, a two-time winner, has donated his past winnings to the Elias Fund.

Relying on creativity over follicle density, Sean has trumped the competition by creating a character for each event. This year he is Don Austere, a tennis aficionado, and once again he has his eye on the $500 prize for EF. The caveat to this year’s competition is that voting is open to the general public. That means you can vote; your friends can vote; even your mother can vote! The more votes we get for Sean’s mustache campaign, the closer we are to the $500 prize.

Raising $500 dollars is just a few simple clicks away – request a ballot here, then vote for Sean when you electronically receive your ballot on Halloween, October 31. While you’re at it, send the word out to your friends and family to do the same. A simple action, a simple way of spreading hope and opportunity in Zimbabwe.

International Organizations Call for End of WOZA Harassment

By scott, October 13, 2011

The Elias Fund was honored last week to stand in solidarity with sixteen other leading  non-governmental organizations  in protest to the government of Zimbabwe’s treatment of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA).

In a letter addressed to Patrick Chinamasa, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, we collectively expressed our concern and looked to draw attention to the mistreatment of civil society in Zimbabwe. In particular, we aired our grievances over the prolonged incarceration of Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, activist leaders of WOZA, who were imprisoned on September 21 during a peaceful demonstration commemorating the International Day of Peace.

Our joint protest included backing from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, Amnesty International USA, Freedom House and Human Rights Watch. You can read the letter in its entirety here.

The letter was released on the eve of a potentially monumental week, which has seen the United Nations Human Rights Council intensely scrutinize Zimbabwe’s human rights record. We are hopeful the calls to investigate human rights abuses in the country come to fruition.

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