Malaria No More

              Malaria No More is a charity that is very close to my heart because for the past four years I’ve been working with them in the goal to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.  The purpose of Malaria No More is to raise money in order to buy $10 bed nets which repel mosquitos while African children and their families sleep at night.  Before Malaria No More’s existence, more than a million African children were dying each year.  Thanks to much hard work and diligence, that number has significantly decreased by 25% since 2000, and we won’t stop until that number reaches zero. 

            Being involved in charity, and knowing that you’re making a difference in the world is a really inspiring feeling.  I would encourage everyone to take part a charity that has meaning to them.  Raising money is actually very easy as well because there are so many different things you can do.  Over the past four years, I ran in four half marathons; three in Nashville, Tennessee at the Country Music Marathon, and one in Rochester, New York.  Thanks to my sponsors who included family, friends, teachers, and coaches, I was able to raise over $1000 for Malaria No More.  I also made and sold ribbons for a dollar each at my school and made over $50 from that.  There are so many other options as well; car washes, bake sales, or even a dance fundraiser.  With so many options, and such simple tasks, everyone should really take the time someday to go out and raise money for their favorite charity.

            Many celebrities have also donated a lot of time and money to Malaria No More.  Hilary Clinton, Ashton Kutcher, John Legend, Orlando Bloom, and American Idol stars Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks and Katherine McPhee are just a few who have reached out to help.  Melinda Doolittle was actually my inspiration to get involved with this charity, so if I can’t inspire you, maybe you’ll follow in the footsteps of one of your favorite stars.

            Please help spread the word about Malaria No More and their efforts.  The goal is to end Malaria deaths in Africa by 2015, and though we are well on our way to reaching that goal, the more the word is spread, the sooner we can reach that goal.  Thank you!