Jon Burns was inspired to start his volunteer group, Lionsraw, while he was surrounded by passionate fans at a soccer game. "It was like an untapped army," he said. "And I started asking myself, 'What could I do if we could mobilize some of these people to do some good?' "
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
Jon Burns was inspired to start his volunteer group, Lionsraw, while he was surrounded by passionate fans at a soccer game. "It was like an untapped army," he said. "And I started asking myself, 'What could I do if we could mobilize some of these people to do some good?' "
John Nowak/CNN
Burns tries to get soccer fans to volunteer not only where they live, but also at major soccer tournaments like the World Cup.
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
Burns tries to get soccer fans to volunteer not only where they live, but also at major soccer tournaments like the World Cup.
Kathleen Toner/CNN
Lionsraw's volunteer projects range from running soccer clinics to constructing buildings for local children's charities.
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
Lionsraw's volunteer projects range from running soccer clinics to constructing buildings for local children's charities.
John Nowak/CNN
This summer, almost 300 soccer fans from 12 countries volunteered with Burns' group in Curitiba, Brazil, one of the host cities for the World Cup.
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
This summer, almost 300 soccer fans from 12 countries volunteered with Burns' group in Curitiba, Brazil, one of the host cities for the World Cup.
Kathleen Toner/CNN
The group's main project was constructing an education complex for Futebol de Rua, an after-school program that serves children from poor areas just outside the city center.
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
The group's main project was constructing an education complex for Futebol de Rua, an after-school program that serves children from poor areas just outside the city center.
Kathleen Toner/CNN
Burns works at a recent soccer clinic in Dallas.
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
Burns works at a recent soccer clinic in Dallas.
John Nowak/CNN
Burns and his volunteers believe that soccer helps children build life skills such as teamwork and self-discipline.
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
Burns and his volunteers believe that soccer helps children build life skills such as teamwork and self-discipline.
John Nowak/CNN
Burns works with children at a soccer clinic.
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
Burns works with children at a soccer clinic.
John Nowak/CNN
"Football's always had the ability to break down barriers," Burns said. "We're taking it a step further."
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
"Football's always had the ability to break down barriers," Burns said. "We're taking it a step further."
John Nowak/CNN
"Football is the number one sport all over the world," Burns said. "When you've got billions of people watching it and millions of people playing it, you have this social glue that you can use for social change."
CNN Hero: Jon Burns —
"Football is the number one sport all over the world," Burns said. "When you've got billions of people watching it and millions of people playing it, you have this social glue that you can use for social change."
John Nowak/CNN