Nothing But Nets Energizes and Inspires Atlanta
Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin proclaimed October 20-24 Nothing But Nets week in Atlanta as Nothing But Nets sponsored events around the city.
The Atlanta Hawks held a Nothing But Nets Night, donating part of ticket prices to bed nets, the Ron Clark Academy had a bootcamp to teach kids about malaria, Emory University held a special seminar, and Ted Turner joined Mayor Franklin and Atlanta City Council member Kwanza Hall for a news conference and rally in Woodruff Park.
The event culminated with a luncheon discussion hosted by the North Georgia Conference and the United Nations Foundation at Peachtree Road UMC in Atlanta. Faith leaders joined together to pray for children and families who suffer from malaria, discuss current issues and threats posed by this disease, and seize the opportunity to get involved in this lifesaving effort.
Bishop Tom Bickerton from the Western Pennsylvania Conference, Bishop Mike Watson, Elizabeth Gore, Executive Director of Nothing But Nets, Kwanza Hall and Nikki Teasley and Danielle Donehew of the Atlanta Dream spoke at the event which was attended by approximately 200 North Georgia United Methodists and guests.
See photos from the week's events below:
North Georgia Netraisers
Churches across the North Georgia Conference are supporting the anti-malaria initiative Nothing But Nets. Read some of the inspirational stories and then share a story from your church! Just e-mail sdavidson(at)ngumc.org.
Fall Festival Focus: Mosquito Nets
Smyrna First United Methodist Church decided to use it’s participation in the city’s Fall Jonquil Festival to raise funds for Nothing But Nets.
Through the use of multi-media, music and a recreation of an African jungle setting including actual mosquito nets, members distributed information about the campaign and shared with passers-by the urgent need to combat malaria.
More than $3200 was raised in the two day event and money is still coming in! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
How to Get Involved
- Send a net. Save a life. You can save a life by making a $10 donation at www.NothingButNets.net or
through The Advance (982015). It's that easy. - Be a cheerleader. Spread the word and get everyone involved. Adopt the Nothing But Nets campaign as a mission project. Display your Nothing But Nets poster prominently in your church. Ask the pastor to receive a special offering during a worship service devoted to mission.
- Get on the 'net'. Order a free poster and get promotional materials (bulletin inserts, flyers, videos and more) at www.umc.org and at get more information at www.nothingbutnets.net.
- Mark your calendar. April 25 is World Malaria Day.
Buzzkill: Facts About Malaria
Each year, malaria afflicts approximately a half-billion people (roughly the population of the United States, Canada, and Mexico combined).
- Malaria kills more than a million people per year; 90 percent of those who die are African children.
- Every 30 seconds in Africa a child dies of malaria.
- Malaria incapacitates people, keeping countries poor. In addition to the health burden, malaria illness and death cost Africa about $12 billion per year.
- Malaria is the leading killer of children in Africa.
- Malaria is both a preventable and treatable disease.
Read more about malaria at http://www.nothingbutnets.net/malaria-kills/.