Bol Aweng wanted a way to thank the Upper Arlington Education Foundation.

If it weren't for the foundation's help, he and his cousin, Jok Dau, wouldn't have been able to raise some of the much-needed money for a clinic they want to build in southern Sudan, he said.

He hopes his raccoon rock is one way to send his appreciation, he said. The Sudanese native wants his artwork to garner a good sum of money during the foundation's Golden Bear Bash!

The event, an end-of-the-summer celebration, is a fundraiser for the organization. The money raised during the event supports many school district projects.

Many items, including Aweng's raccoon rock, will be auctioned off during the Sept. 5 fundraiser. Other items include OSU-Michigan tickets, guitar and cooking lessons and restaurant gift certificates.

The fourth annual event will be from 7 to 11 p.m. at Arlington Banquets, 1975 Henderson Road. There will be food and dancing.

Tickets cost $50 and are available at the website UAEducationfoundation.com. They must be purchased in advance.

Last year, the foundation awarded a grant to help organize a walk-a-thon to raise money for the "Lost Boys of Sudan."

Aweng is one of those Lost Boys.

At 6, Aweng witnessed a horrific event -- the Sudanese government coming in and destroying his village of Piol. Members of his village were killed, Aweng said. Those that weren't slaughtered were taken as slaves.

Aweng was separated from his family, he said. He was sent to a refugee camp in Ethiopia and later Kenya, where he remained until he came to the United States. Only recently did Aweng start communications with his family.

His family also had been displaced during the event, Aweng said. When the war had ended, his family returned to their native village.

Aweng, now an Ohio State University graduate, wanted to do something to help those back in Sudan. One thing he -- along with his cousin, Dau -- want to do is to build a clinic in Piol.

The two have been contacting high schools to help raise funds. When UAHS's freshman house D wanted to organize a walk-a-thon, the foundation approved a grant for the event. So far, the house has raised more than $13,000.

As a way to show his gratitude for the foundation's help, Aweng is donating one of his art pieces to the foundation's annual event.

"We thought it would be appropriate," said Mark Boesch, a UAHS teacher and walk-a-thon organizer.

Aweng often sees animals when he looks at rocks, Boesch explained. He paints those animals on a rock -- and the animals are usually African animals.

For the Golden Bear Bash!, Aweng wanted to do something special -- something many Americans can relate to, Boesch said. So, Aweng painted a raccoon.

The raccoon is an animal many see outside in yards, Aweng explained.