Key Chain Days

So volunteering is sort of like making NETwork jewelry. Sometimes its a safety pin bracelet day and you feel like spending hours volunteering to alleviate the suffering of others. Other times it's a key chain day and a couple of minutes is just right. Either way, giving your time is great.

Weather you're in a safety pin mood or a key chain mood, there is always something you can do to help, always some way to get involved.

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!
   

What You Can Do

Considering Fund raising for NETwork Against Malaria?

A little dough can go a long way in the fight against malaria. Get together with family, friends, classmates, teammates, clubs, groups, whatever and change the lives of children, pregnant women, and families across the globe!

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Sponsor three children- $10

For only $10 you can give a life-saving bednet to three impoverished children at our next net distribution.

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Sponsor a family- $40

For $40 you can give enough nets to protect a Ugandan family at our next net distribution.

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Sponsor a classroom- $300

For $300 you can donate nets for a grade school or high school class.

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Sponsor a school- $2,000

For $2,000 you can sponsor a rural school. Students will be protected from malaria, saving their lives and allowing them to attend school.

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Sponsor a village- $7,000

With your gift of $7,000, a rural village can be protected from malaria. This will give the community the opportunity to better their lives and lift themselves out of poverty.

The Glory of Picking Up Poop

As a volunteer at my local animal shelter, I’ve become all too familiar with the smell of bleach, the grit of hand sanitizer, and the sound of two sides of a pooper scooper clanking together. You’re probably wondering why I’d start there. I suppose I wanted to get the unpleasant part out of the way first. Now let’s get into what’s important.

The glory of picking up poop comes when you see the opportunity for second chances. Don’t get me wrong, I love the warm feeling of wiggly puppies in my hand, their small wet tongues tickling my face, and their enthusiastic curious head cocks that display the most adorable faces. That part’s definitely the most immediately gratifying, but it’s not the most rewarding.

It’s when you’ve watched the same old dog lie on a cement floor for days. It’s when that dog looks up at you with a look of desperation, abandonment, and a loss of hope. It’s when you see someone look into those eyes and make a connection. It’s whenever there’s the opportunity for a second chance.

There’s something amazing about that. There’s something wonderful about seeing the sparkle return to a loyal dog’s eyes.

That Time

It’s come. That dreaded time I’ve been warned about since freshman year- the time you have to fill in the blanks, check the boxes, and list volunteer hours/ extracurricular activities. That time has come and believe me some amazingly negative attitudes have followed. Some people race around school signing their names to lists and attending the bare minimum of meetings just so they can add it to their resume.

And I’m here to tell you something before this time comes to you.

Don’t make those people’s dumb mistakes. Work hard every year and do your best, because I promise that will be good enough.

If you want to enjoy high school, don’t do something to write it down. Do it because you love it. Don’t volunteer to tally hours; volunteer to make the hours meaningful.

Letter From Uganda

Below is a letter NETwork received from Stella Matutina secondary school in Uganda. The students and faculty of this girls' boarding school received nets in the October 2010 distribution. I thank you also for your support!

Dear friends,

Greetings from Stella Matutina Secondary School.

Stella Matutina is a girls' secondary school in Katulikire Holy Family Parish,Hoima Catholic diocese, Uganda.

A few days ago we received bed nets from your organisation through our parish priest Rev. Fr. Francis Banura. 315 girls( between the ages of 12-19yrs) and 27 staff members received the bed nets.

This effort will go along way in the fight against malaria. We believe as these girls are protected, they in turn will become the ambassodors of this noble struggle you are making. More so when they are healthy they will concentrate more in their studies.

On behalf of the school, I sincerely thank you for this great struggle and promise you our prayers.God bless you abundantly.

Sr. Josephine Acan

Head teacher

Stella Matutina Secondary School.

5K Walk And Run

Looking for a great way to help out, a good source of exercise and a chance to get involved in NETwork Against Malaria? Come out and show your support for NETwork Against Malaria at the First Annual 5K Walk and Run. Enjoy, food drinks, live music, while competing to ribbons in each age group. All money raised benefits NETwork Against Malaria Your $10 registration fee buys one bednet and saves three lives! NETwork Against Malaria needs your support. Come out for this fun day to promote awareness and celebrate a wonderful cause ! Register Online or View Registration Flyer Dates And Times - November 13, 2010 - Start Time 9:30 AM - Location: Family Sportsplex 2346 Mascoutah Avenue, Belleville, IL - Registration Starting at 8:00 AM - Cost: $10 for early registration $12 for day-of registration - All proceeds benefit NETwork Against Malaria, NFP Questions? 618-581-8000 or 618-233-6412 This run was organized by a high school senior, Conor Gardner. He needs your help! Come support NETwork Against Malaria's FIRST ANNUAL 5K!