News 12 First @ Five -- November 17, 2009

AIKEN, S.C. --- He's traveled all around the world as a part of the hit country group "Big and Rich" but now, Kenny Alphin also known as "Big Kenny" has made his way to South Aiken High School to spread more than just his music.

"First we started speaking out on behalf of Darfur and the people of Darfur and speaking at rallies even here in South Carolina, said Kenny "Big Kenny" Alphin. "Big Kenny" along with the organization "My Sister's Keeper" traveled to Sudan back in 2007 and again in 2009. They delivered medicine, supplies and education to a region torn a part in the midst of a civil war. His mission is the same as South Aiken's club STAND, to stop genocide and bring change to Sudan.

"It's crazy. We really appreciate he's using his celebrity status to really promote this issue and make change for the better and promote awareness for it," said South Aiken student Lauren Key.

"It shows even country singers and little kids like us all agree that this is a problem that needs to be taken care of," said South Aiken student Pedro Lopez-de-Victoria

"STAND" or students taking action now;darfur is the only club of it's kind in the school district, but their mission is universal.

"We don't want to have the need to have a club. Next year we don't want to wear these shirts, we want this to be over and done with," said Lopez-de-Victoria.

"The love you put back into the land is the love you get back. So I'm trying to put some love in some other places where I can and where life leads me," said Alphin. He says the message he's trying to get across is simple, a little compassion can go a long way.

Big Kenny will wrap up his time in Aiken after the Kicks 99 Guitar Pull at the USC Aiken Convocation Center.