Whitehouse youth support campaign to raise funds for mosquito nets

Youth from Pollard UMC raised about $2,500 from sponsors with their "Take it to the Net" relay basketball dribble on Nov. 11. They dribbled the 3.5 miles from their church to Marvin UMC in Tyler wearing a special jersey and passing about every 200 yards.

The event was a fund-raiser to help buy treated mosquito nets for families in Africa. Malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, kills more than one million children every year.

For $10, a net can be purchased that will be distributed to a family along with information on how to use it. One net can protect a family for up to four years!

When asked about reasons for participating in the event, eighth-grader Jackson Driggs responded, "I did the dribble 'cause it sounded like a fun way to make money for 'Nothing but Nets'. I think it was great and helped a lot."

Also offering her thoughts, senior Laura Viergever said, "It was fun. It did a lot of good, apparently." Eighth-grader Ross Viergever said, "I love basketball and I like to help people. This was a great way to do both at the same time."

Vans were painted and decorated to share the message with the community as they passed homes and businesses along the route.

The idea for the dribble came from Pollard youth director Richard Luna. It was scheduled just as basketball season was getting started in the local school systems.

"When we 'take it to the net' in basketball we are trying to score a basket and change the outcome of the game. This event changed the outcome for families in Africa as they now are given a chance to battle the threats of malaria. I am proud of our youth in accepting the challenge and in keeping the cause. They have made a difference today," Luna said.

Are they through? "No, I'm sure we will be looking for other opportunities to create awareness and encourage giving for Nothing but Nets. Some new ideas are forming for the Spring of 2008!" Luna said. Future events are being discussed and include a spring "March on Malaria."

The Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church has pledged to raise $1 million by the end of 2008. Additionally, the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation is matching every Nothing but Nets donation dollar-for-dollar, so if you buy one, you're really buying two.

For more information about Nothing but Nets, you can visit www.nothingbutnets.net

Should you want to contribute to this worthy cause, you can send a check made to:

Texas Annual Conference and mail it to Fiscal Office / Nothing But Nets, Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, 5215 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002.