Volunteering For NETwork by Lauren

Blue, red, green, yellow.  I scan the beads for the necklace I am putting together during a morning meeting at Network Against Malaria Club. The finished necklace is full of colors and neat beads.

One of the things I love about Network is bead-making. It’s so fun to sit around with your friends after or before school or on a weekend at someone’s house making beautiful jewelry, key chains, and rosaries! You are having an awesome time and helping others too!

It’s also fun to go to public events and sell the beaded creations. When you see other people come up admiring Network’s hard work, you get a sense of pride that is so so cool!

Another cool thing is where we get the beads and supplies needed for bead-making. Though a lot is bought by Network, much is donated too. It’s great to know that the community sees the good work that we all are doing and wants to help too. 

Orange, pink, purple, black. My next piece of jewelry is a bracelet. As I string the beads together, I think of who will buy and wear this. Whoever it is, they will spread Network to even more places by showing off all of our hard work through our bead-making. Through our jewelry, rosaries, and key chains, Network Against Malaria is traveling everywhere and growing bigger and bigger!!

It's May 24th and I feel like my life is starting to calm down again, like I can breath again.

That's the thing about taking on many responsibilities as youth volunteer. You need to keep up with them and it can be overwhelming. But with May wrapping up and June soon to follow, my lungs seem to fill with air more easily and my chest doesn't pound quite as much. I hope you're starting to feel the same way.

But, in my humble opinion, its all worth it. Its worth the confussion and exhaustion and all other things. Its worth it to be a person of conviction. It is worth it to strive for character.

Sharing in a Simple Project

"Last wish from a little 12 year old boy dying of terminal cancer. He lives in Neola, Iowa. His last wish is to receive one million cards in the mail. I think we can make his wish come true if enough people pass the word. It is not too much to ask for a 12 year old boy. One million cards. Let your fellow employees know and your churches and school children. We need to take the time to do this for this little boy.

Let's make his last wish come true.

His name and addressas published in the Ottumwa Courier newspaper is:

Max Low.

c/o Greg and Bambi Low.

P.O. Box 111

Neola, Iowa 51559"

This was sent to me via e-mail. I am sharing it with you now.

An Ocean Away

Bridging the gap from your school to Uganda, can be simple by working through NETwork Against Malaria. Its phenomenal to see how far away your efforts travel in the fight against poverty and malaria.

This picture shows the distance between a fifth grade class from South Eastern Illinois who raised funds for bednets and the Ugandan children who received these nets a continent away.

Go the distance!

For Them

It is more than a project. Service benefits real people.

For them take action.

Shout out to some awesome volunteers!

Thanks so much Rachel, Donyelle, and Nate!

DYC Weekend

NETwork Against Malaria supporters are prepping for this weekend with beads, baskets and a couple bottles of caffine. We're headed off to the Dioceasan Youth Conference to share our wares and our story with teenagers from across southern Illiois. Our goal: Walk away with a few bucks, a few more pieces of jewelry, and a bunch more volunteers. Cross your fingers and we may even get a chapter out of the weekend.

So this weekend is about youth empowerement and NETwork-ing. It's about meeting people and inspiring people and causing them to take action. It's about showing people the faces of Ugandan children and challenging them not to look away, not to ignore, not to forgot. It's about helping people realize that although we're an ocean away there is so much we can do for those smiling children.

Meet the Beaders

You've heard a lot about and seen a lot of our amazing Ugandan volunteers and net recipients. Now check this out: http://networkagainstmalaria.giving.officelive.com/Meet_the_Beaders.aspx. These are just a few of the thousands of American volunteers. Learn about these young people. get to know them. Realize there are people out there right now taking an active role in their global community. Realize they are not that different from you!

Already involved in NETwork and want to be added to the page? E-mail me: NETworkAgainstMalaria@gmail.com and just answer the questions everyone else did.

Want to join these amazing individuals in their fight against malaria? Well don't just sit there GET INVOLVED!

Gumballs for Change

I first saw this video on GenV Youth Venture. It's really cool, inspirational, and well done. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

What Can You Do?

• Donate
• Buy jewelry and t-shirts
• Start your own NETwork Against Malaria Chapter
• Have a jewelry drive
• Help NETwork Against Malaria make jewelry
• Shovel snow, water flowers, or rake leaves for donations
• Invite NETwork to talk at your school
• Use our Grade school curriculum to teach your class
• Sell lemonade on your street corner
• Host a beading event
• Organize a bake sale
• Plan a benefit concert
• Collect Office Supplies- Paper, staplers, software, cds, DVDs, cameras, etc.
• Mail us your old cell phones to recycle
• Host a Battle of the Bands
• Set up a tournament
• Customize T-shirts for events in your community
• Have an art show and sell your beautiful work
• Collect Change at your school, church, or sports games
• Organize a competitive penny drive or donation collection
• Sell t-shirts and jewelry
• Design promotional materials
• Write for the newsletter
• Collect pledges for a 5k, marathon, or sports event (i.e. a nickle per basket/ three dollars per mile)
• Give presentations to class mates, churches, youth groups, etc.

Think of your own ideas. Fresh ideas are always welcome. Volunteering is more fun if you personalize it and do what you love.

Have fun with NETwork. Volunteering and saving lives should be things you enjoy!
We Can't Wait to Hear from you: NETworkAgainstMalaria@gmail.com




**Please e-mail NETworkAgainstMalaria@gmail.com for a copy of the curriculum.

My Dad's Favorite Tie

My dad just might be the most "boring man." He only wears blue or black shirts, wears the same pants in rotation, and prefers to stay home than go out. For Christmas, he gave my sisters and I a tie and said, "This is what I want." We walked into the store where they said they hadn't carried that tie for years.

My dad is pretty darn one of a kind. I don't really know how to explain that. Come to my house sometime, observe and you'll know right away.

My point is this, even my dad's predictabilities make him unique. His clothes, his ties, his laughs, his jokes- sometimes he annoys me and purposely embarrasses me. Mostly I'm proud of him and love him and laugh at him.

Sometimes we all appear to be boring and sometimes we appear extraordinary. But even the boring part is truly extraordinary. Because we are so "darn one of a kind" we each have something unique to offer.

So what can you do with your something?

Small Town Big Team, Small People Big Dream

As a personal St. Louis Rams' fan, the last few post seasons have been pretty slow for me- its been a rough couple of years. This year though, things have been a lot better. Post season play I embraced my Wisconsin roots and pulled on the cheese head.

I think the real reason I really like Green Bay is the size of the city. There's about 100,000 people who call Green Bay home. It's not quite small town, rural but it also isn't concrete country. The idea that a fan-owned team that calls home a city of 100,000 can claim the biggest title in the nation is pretty cool.

The same principle applies to volunteerism. A small group of people can make a major difference. With commitment and passion you can overcome anything. There's no stopping you- Get Out There!

There may not be a convertible on the otherside but you may find something even better!

Volunteering

As I mentioned before I'm at a children's hospital for senior service and right now I'm home sick. This is the first time I've chosen to stay home sick since I had the stomach flu freshman year. And do you know what the worst part is- I don't want to stay home. Some of my favorite kids are going home today and I don't even get to say goodbye.

Wow. I just totally twisted the purpose of volunteering. I made it about me- what I wanted. I want to say goodbye to these kids. I should be excited out of my mind they're going home(which I am) but I should also be happy that I stayed home and didn't get them sick.

It can be really easy to make volunteering about you- about how you feel. "I feel good when I help someone." "I love to feel like I'm making a difference." "I feel like volunteering has taught me a lot and opened doors."

Yes! These are good things- good feelings. And its fine and normal and healthy to have good feelings and to like good feelings and be motivated by good feelings. Let's face it- these may be some of the best good feelings out there to be motivated by.

BUT I have to keep in mind that volunteering is about putting others first, attempting to fix problems in our communities, and making an impact. THESE things are more important than feelings.

THANK YOU!!

You did it!

Thanks for all the votes. Because of you, NETwork has earned a permanant spot on GlobalGiving.org.

Senior Service

For the first three weeks of January, don't look for me-or in that case any of my classmates-in a high school classroom. Instead of heading back to school, we head out to the community. People go to grade schools, day cares, retreat groups, etc. For me, I've spent my morning playing trains and holding babies and my afternoons playing ski ball and Sorry!.

I love volunteering at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. Each day I am amazed by the sincerity and optimism of the kids I'm surrounded by. Sometimes the kids are so enthusiastic and energetic, I forget they're sick. Each one has such a unique personality.

One more reason to volunteer- the people around you will astound you!

Global Giving

I know I sound like a broken record, but support us on Global Giving! It makes a great holiday gift!

Congrats!

Congratulations to this year's NETwork Against Malaria 5k youth winners!

NETwork needs YOU!

Dear NETwork Team,

NETwork has another amazing opportunity- becoming listed on Global Giving's website. Getting on Global Giving is like the big leagues for a nonprofit. With people and companies all over the world having access to our information, we could make money in our sleep!

Remember all those times we got up at six am on a Saturday to prepare for an event? Well, we'll still probably do that, but there's a chance we could have been making money at 3 am while you were asleep too.

ONLY ONE LITTLE THING: We have to raise $4,000 from 5o different donors by DEMEBER 22!!

So now we need to get on our fundraisin' faces and makes some dough!

Ask friends family, ANYONE to donate. Dotations can be $10 or more sizable. ANY GIFT WILL BE APPRECIATED!

So get out there heros of fundraising, because NO TASK IS TOO DAUNTING- NO TASK IS IMPOSSIBLE!


(oh, by the way, here's the website you'll need!)
http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/network-against-malaria/

Thanksgiving

Thanks giving is a time to be thankful- for all the wonderful things we have in our lives. It is also a time to reflect on all the things that we can do to improve the lives of others.

As young volunteers, we realize that November is often a time for hunger awarness. Do some research on your community to learn about local hunger issues your community faces.

In my own community, more people are visiting food pantries which has caused them to run low and even run out. I volunteer at a food pantry and have been told stock is high around the holidays, but runs low throughout the rest of the year.

A great cause for you is a random hunger drive for your own community. Call your local food pantry to find out when food runs lowest and when your Non-Holiday Food Drive would be most needed.

Up Coming Opportunities

Looking to get involved?

NETwork has some amazing upcoming opportunities for you to jump on.

1. Come to our 5K this Saturday! Register online at networkagainstmalaria.org. Bring your competitve nature and running shoes or bring your positive attitude and walk the distance. Either way, come out to support NETwork, our volunteer who organized the event, and the children of Uganda.
2. Join us for beading on Sunday. E-mail us if you're interested in this opportunity.
3. Start a chapter! Is there not a chapter in your area or are you looking to start something new? Send NETwork an e-mail and get your start-up kit in the mail!
4. Buy our jewelry. With Christmas just around the corner, you or someone special should be treated with our amazing jewelry.
5. Start NETwork-ing! Volunteer any where any time to get involved. Maybe blogging is even your thing. Send NETwork an e-mail for a more extensive list of up-coming events in your area or to learn how to set some up!