Every ride. Every seat belt. Every time.
Honoring Jonah by helping others make it home.
The Jonah B. Foundation exists to keep more families whole — by championing seat belts on every ride, supporting youth drivers, and turning grief into community-led change.
What we do
Three programs, one purpose: more people coming home safe at the end of every ride.
Seat-belt safety advocacy
Community programs
Family support
Familiar trips are still dangerous.
Jonah was on a short drive he had made many times — between his girlfriend's house and Chick-fil-A — when the crash happened. He was not wearing a seat belt. The trip was familiar; the consequences were permanent. If you take one thing from this site: the next time someone you love rides in your car, ask them to buckle up. Then do it yourself, every single time.
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People reached through campaigns and events since 2022
Year-over-year reduction
Maryland made progress between 2022 and 2023
2022
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2022 unrestrained fatalities
2023
0
2023 unrestrained fatalities
0%
Decrease
Unrestrained-occupant fatalities in Maryland fell from 146 in 2022 to 115 in 2023 — a 21% decrease in deaths across the state.
Sources: NHTSA Annual Report Files (United States) and Maryland Department of Transportation traffic-safety reports. Foundation impact figures combine estimated billboard impressions with TV and news premiere reach since 2022. The Maryland year-over-year change is shared as awareness context.
The work, in order
From a backyard idea to a statewide campaign
Every entry below is a real moment — an event, a school visit, a billboard going up, a tribute night. The story is what the foundation does.
November 2022
The Jonah B. Foundation is created
The foundation is established to honor Jonah Baney and to keep more families whole through seat-belt safety advocacy and community support.
November 19, 2022
First annual memorial golf tournament
The inaugural memorial golf tournament is held at Compass Pointe, sponsored by the Jonah B. Foundation Golf Tournament and Jason Pruitt.
April 18, 2023
Calvert High School testimonial and PSA
Founder Josh Baney delivers a testimonial and PSA at Calvert High School with a mock-crash demonstration coordinated by Chesapeake Region Safety Council, Zero Deaths Maryland, the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, and local public-safety departments.
April 30, 2023
First charity fundraiser at Shuffles
The foundation's first charity fundraiser, "Sunday Funday at Shuffles," is held with a live performance from the Boozhounds.
May 15, 2023
TV interviews at MVA headquarters
Interviews with WMAR, WJZ, and WBAL TV alongside MVA leaders at headquarters in Glen Burnie. The initial TV premiere reached an estimated 96,000 Marylanders, with additional online reach.
Summer 2023
Carroll County billboard campaign
The foundation's first billboard campaign begins on MD 140 in Carroll County, near the crash site. The campaign runs through September 1, 2023, with an estimated reach of approximately 6 million Marylanders and regional commuters.
August 19, 2023
Second annual memorial golf tournament
The second annual memorial golf tournament is held at Compass Pointe.
April 12, 2024
Lansdowne High School #JB13 tribute
The Lansdowne High School varsity team holds a tribute game honoring Jonah Baney, with #JB13 supported by the school and surrounding community.
April 18, 2024
Calvert High School testimonial and PSA
Founder Josh Baney delivers a testimonial and PSA at Calvert High School with a mock-crash demonstration coordinated by Chesapeake Region Safety Council, Zero Deaths Maryland, the Calvert County Sheriff's Office, Maryland State Police, and local public-safety departments.
October 26, 2024
Third annual memorial golf tournament
The third annual memorial golf tournament is held at Compass Pointe.
November 8, 2025
Fourth annual memorial golf tournament
The fourth annual memorial golf tournament is held at Compass Pointe.
October 31, 2026
Fifth annual memorial golf tournament
The fifth annual memorial golf tournament is scheduled at Compass Pointe.
From the blog
Stories from the road, event recaps, and the occasional safety deep-dive.
Visit blog.jonahb.org →