By John Gordon*
April 27, 2007 | MIAMI (UMNS)

The Nothing But Nets campaign, which is raising money to send insecticide-treated nets for African children to sleep under, kicked off a grassroots awareness effort here, the same day the popular television show "American Idol" raised millions of dollars to further the cause.

"The momentum seems to be higher than it has been at any point," says United Methodist Bishop Thomas Bickerton, a leading supporter of the campaign. Bickerton leads the United Methodist Church’s Pittsburgh Area and is president of the church’s Commission on Communication.

"The ideas that are being generated are just beginning to flow in from all circles across the country, from a variety of different forms and places, within churches and secular organizations," Bickerton says. "The money that we've raised is showing that the momentum is growing."

Nothing But Nets is a partnership that includes the people of The United Methodist Church, the United Nations Foundation, the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, Sports Illustrated magazine and Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S. Several events in the Miami area on April 25 kicked off a 12-city arena tour encouraging youth and faith leaders to get involved.

The events marked Africa Malaria Day, and President Bush declared April 25 as Malaria Awareness Day in the United States.

Millions raised

A special "Idol Gives Back" edition of "American Idol" raised more than $50 million, which will be divided among eight charities, including Nothing But Nets. The exact amount the anti-malaria effort will receive has not been determined, says Elizabeth McKee, marketing director of the United Nations Foundation. But McKee says the "Idol" donation will be matched by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Several dozen students at the University of Miami's Coral Gables campus watched the program after attending a "boot camp" session to learn more about the disease and discuss ways they could get involved.

Not all the stars were on the big-screen television during the watch party. Signing autographs and posing for pictures with students was Jason Kapono, a forward on the Miami Heat basketball team.

"People need to look beyond … their own lives here in this country and understand that there's a lot of problems going on outside of this country," Kapono says. "And it's something that we as a people, I believe, should do."

"I think it's a tangible way to help people and take real action against malaria," says Carly Winokur, 20, a University of Miami sophomore who attended the boot camp session and watch party. "This is a campaign where you know that 100 percent of your money and your donations are going to people and making a difference."

Providing insecticide-treated nets for children to sleep under is considered one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce malaria, a disease spread by mosquitoes that causes an estimated one million deaths per year. Children under 5 are the most vulnerable.

It costs $10 to send a net to Africa and provide community-health workers to show residents how to use them.

"I think it's incredible that we can save a life with just $10," says Caroline Gomez, a 20-year-old University of Miami sophomore who attended the watch party. "We live such a privileged life, and we don't take the time to really think about what Third World country people are going through."

Not including the "Idol" contribution, Nothing But Nets has raised $5.5 million — nearly double the original fundraising goal of $3 million — since the campaign was launched less than a year ago

"One of the keys for the church in the future is people finding themselves in places where they don't normally go, so that they can have an opportunity to spread the gospel," says Bickerton. And "American Idol" is "a very unlikely place for us to go."

Building support

Bickerton says the popularity of "American Idol" not only brings in donations, but also helps raise awareness of the children’s plight in Africa

"I think it's yet another one of those creative partnerships that will bring life to this campaign," he says.

"I'm very proud to be part of a denomination like the United Methodist (Church) that's reaching out to so worthy a cause, and one in which we can make such a great impact," says Van Gundy.

"I think sports is very universal, and when you use that as a vehicle, I think you sort of bring everybody together."

The breakfast was hosted by Christ Church United Methodist in Fort Lauderdale.

"It's so easy, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to be involved in this wonderful campaign," says the Rev. Alex Shanks, the church’s executive pastor.

Organizers are hoping the Nothing But Nets campaign will keep up the pace, since an estimated 300 million nets are needed for children on the African continent.

"In the marketing world, you're always interested in how long it can stay on the front page," says Bickerton. "Some of us have thought that maybe we've got another year, 18 months. But with the momentum that's being built at this point and the network that's being built, the infrastructure that's being built, we think this can be more of a long-term, sustained program."

University of Miami student Jessy Antoni, 20, hopes other students will get involved.

"It's going to be an incredible cause," she says, "(one that will) save hundreds of lives, thousands of lives — hopefully, millions of lives."

*Gordon is a freelance producer and writer based in Marshall, Texas.

News media contact: Fran Coode Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5458 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Related Video

Bishop Thomas Bickerton: "One of the keys for the church is people finding themselves in places they don't normally go."

Stan Van Gundy, former coach of the Miami Heat: "I'm very proud to be part of a denomination in which we can make such a great impact."

The Rev. Alex Shanks, Christ Church United Methodist: "We want our people to learn what it means to be the body of Christ in the world."

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