NFL Veteran and Monmouth County Resident Donald Brown Receives Highest Honor at Natural High's 2016 Gala

LA JOLLA, Calif., Sept. 09, 2016 -- Donald Brown, Red Bank Catholic High School graduate and seven year NFL Running Back, is being recognized for his work to inspire millions of youth nationally with the 2016 Game Changer Award presented by Natural High on Saturday, September 10 in San Diego. Brown has personally championed an effort to pass legislation in New Jersey that would implement the Natural High Drug Prevention curriculum in school districts throughout New Jersey and has served as a national Natural High Ambassador. He has been featured in Natural High videos and has spoken at school assemblies nationally on behalf of Natural High.

"As a child, I knew my ultimate dream and goal was to play in the NFL and I knew I had to be dedicated," said Donald Brown, Professional Football Player. "Achieving my goal meant that I needed to focus on my natural high and this meant saying no to drugs and choosing to hone in on my natural football abilities. The more I said no to drugs, the easier it became. This is what I stand for and this decision has led to my success and achieving my dream. My goal is to share my story with as many youths possible to inspire them to find their natural high and achieve their dreams as well, because it's possible."

Natural High has an educator network of 20,000 teachers, school guidance counselors and mentors who use Natural High’s 50 role-model videos and 150 researched based curriculum guides and worksheets which are also guided by Common Core standards, the Search Institutes research and Social-Emotional Learning principles. Natural High understands that there are life changing principles.

In addition to working closely with Natural High to contribute to its curriculum, Brown has been instrumental in leading efforts in his home state of New Jersey to bring to the forefront the important issue of reducing drug use among youths.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) study reports that one in four Americans who began using any addictive substance before age 18 are addicted compared to one in 25 Americans who started using at age 21 or older.

“Our vision and aspiration for our youth are that they fall in love with life, have a passion, and live their natural high life,” said Natural High founder Jon Sundt, who lost both of his brothers to drugs. “Youth learn about resilience, goal setting, values, the importance of surrounding themselves with positive peer influencers, and the belief that they can take action and achieve their dreams when they discover their natural high.”

Natural High 2016 Gala
This star-studded evening will include live and silent auctions, live music, high-energy performers, and is one of the organization’s largest fundraising events. Brown is one of 50 celebrities who have shared their personal story of challenge and triumph to inspire youth across the country to discover and live their passions, say yes to life, and say no to an artificial high. Funds raised at the Natural High gala will help support the efforts to reach millions more youth nationwide. For tickets and information, please visit www.naturalhigh.org/gala or call 858-551-7006.

About Natural High
Natural High is a national 501(c)3 nonprofit organization inspiring youth to discover, amplify and pursue their natural high so they have a reason to say no to an artificial high. Natural High partners with drug-free celebrity role models who share their stories about growing up and the choices they made to achieve their dreams. Today, Natural High’s programs reach more than 20,000 educators across the country, inspiring eight million youth in all 50 states to say yes to life, and no to drugs and alcohol.

Media Contact:
Anna Vue
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