First, thanks to everyone who has supported the MSU Nothing But Nets Team! We're up to just over 49 percent of our goal -- your generosity and willingness to help is so amazing.
To me, the beauty of our Nothing But Nets team is it's ability to embody both MSU's land-grant heritage and the university's movement forward to become a "global-grant" university that uses its research to help people worldwide.
Second, I'd like to thank and say good-bye to Sue Nichols, my colleague who helped me brainstorm and make the MSU Nothing But Nets team a reality. Sue has posted here a few times, but her contributions behind the scenes have helped make this program the success it is. She's moving down to the University of Michigan to become director of communications and marketing for the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute. I'm horribly sad to see her go, but this is a great opportunity for her and I wish her much success. We shall carry on without her and may be able to get her to pop in once in a while.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Slow and Steady
As I noted last week, summer break has caused us to slow down a little. But it's nice to see that donations continue to come in steadily. We're up to 47 percent -- almost half way to our goal!
If you're a student, I hope you're enjoying your break. If you're a faculty member, staff person or alumni, soak in the relative calm and tranquility of the campus. No matter who you are or where you are, consider making a donation to the MSU Nothing But Nets Team.
When most groups ask for a donation, they start by asking for $50 or $100. To me, the great thing about the Nothing But Nets program is the opportunity to do so much good for so little money. The cost of a bed net -- $10 -- is an amount that most people can afford without too much sacrifice. Every time I slap a mosquito, I think about the family that's using the net I provided. And I feel good.
If you're a student, I hope you're enjoying your break. If you're a faculty member, staff person or alumni, soak in the relative calm and tranquility of the campus. No matter who you are or where you are, consider making a donation to the MSU Nothing But Nets Team.
When most groups ask for a donation, they start by asking for $50 or $100. To me, the great thing about the Nothing But Nets program is the opportunity to do so much good for so little money. The cost of a bed net -- $10 -- is an amount that most people can afford without too much sacrifice. Every time I slap a mosquito, I think about the family that's using the net I provided. And I feel good.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A Slight Summer Slowdown
Between finals, graduation and other pressing matters, our Nothing But Nets campaign slowed down a little. But fear not, we're still working away behind the scenes to send bed nets to Africa to stop the spread of malaria.
Donations are still coming in and I'm proud to say we're achieved 45 percent of our goal. Thanks to all!
I'm hoping to have an update on Ned's research very soon. Stay tuned for more event announcements.
Donations are still coming in and I'm proud to say we're achieved 45 percent of our goal. Thanks to all!
I'm hoping to have an update on Ned's research very soon. Stay tuned for more event announcements.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
We've Reached 44 Percent
Thanks to all the fund-raising efforts of STOMP on World Malaria Day, we've jumped up to 44 percent of our $10,000 Nothing But Nets fundraising goal. That means collectively we've sent 443 bed nets to Africa -- amazing!
And Aaron, one of the STOMP student leaders has said that a middle school teacher is going to donate the $400 her class raised to the MSU Nothing But Nets team. How exciting is that?
Let's keep the momentum going. If we all tell one person we know about this and get them to donate one net, that would make an incredible difference. If you're successful, leave a comment. Thanks again to all.
And Aaron, one of the STOMP student leaders has said that a middle school teacher is going to donate the $400 her class raised to the MSU Nothing But Nets team. How exciting is that?
Let's keep the momentum going. If we all tell one person we know about this and get them to donate one net, that would make an incredible difference. If you're successful, leave a comment. Thanks again to all.
Monday, April 28, 2008
World Malaria Day Report
This is a couple of days late, but I wanted to pass along a note from Aaron Schaer, one of the STOMP student leaders, about the campus events on April 25:
YESTERDAY'S EVENT WAS AWESOME!!! For those of you who couldn't be there, here is a brief description:
Ned and Danielle set up a volleyball net on the sidewalk in front of The Rock, where they hung a sweet banner and a bunch of "Buzzkill" shirts and wristbands (which I still think are cool despite what everyone else says).
We also had a table, some chairs, and some good music (courtesy of Ned). We would have painted The Rock, but another student group (who did not register to have it unlike other groups *cough cough*) painted it and literally were laying down and guarding it in sleeping bags. They were there for the National Day of Silence which signifies the discrimination that gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people face in society (between that, National Malaria Awareness Day, and Earth Day, April 25th is a pretty popular time).
Their cause was definitely a good one, but seeing as none of them were speaking due to it being a "day of silence," I'm not sure how many people they actually reached. Perhaps talking would have been a better strategy...I don't know, that's just my opinion.
Anyways, back to our awesome group. All in all we raised almost $400.
I truly feel that if we had more shirt sizes than just 3XL and youth small, we probably would have sold more. In addition to that, a woman came by who works over at the local middle school and she told us how they also did a Nothing But Nets fund-raiser where they raised over $400, but she wasn't sure what to do with the money now. So, after talking with her for 30 seconds, she has decided to trust us with the money, which she is sending over to Gabe's office in the very near future.
In short, good times were had by all and we've raised enough money to purchase around 80 nets!!! That's at least 80 more people who will be much safer because we spent 5 hours sitting outside and hanging out.
If that doesn't motivate you, check your pulse.
Thank you so much to everyone that helped. A special shout-out to Derek for bringing his bunk bed so that we could display a bed net; Ned for getting the volleyball net, music, basketball hoops, donuts and bagels, and a bunch of other stuff that I'm probably forgetting; Ashley for being there for about 4 hours; Danielle for waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to help set up; and Emily, Emma, and Rachel for being there and just being great. If I'm forgetting anyone, I'm really sorry...but a special shout-out to you as well.
I'm not really sure what STOMP is going to do over the summer, but if the past 3 weeks are a sign of things to come, then we're definitely going to be busy. I'll write everyone again just to stay in-touch and keep you guys informed of anything fun, interesting, or just because I'm bored.
Thank you all again. This couldn't have happened without everyone's efforts. We truly have done a lot for a group that isn't even formally registered yet.
Good luck with finals, and if I don't see you--have a great summer.
Sincerely,
Aaron
P.S. For the graduating Seniors: "Adventure is not in the guidebook, and beauty is not on the map. Seek and you shall find." (Someone who I once went camping with told me that. She is one of the nicest, coolest people I've ever met and at age 32 still has not grown up.
She is also the happiest person I know). Be courageous, be influential, and most importantly, be you! Good luck...and I'm keeping you on the e-mail list.
YESTERDAY'S EVENT WAS AWESOME!!! For those of you who couldn't be there, here is a brief description:
Ned and Danielle set up a volleyball net on the sidewalk in front of The Rock, where they hung a sweet banner and a bunch of "Buzzkill" shirts and wristbands (which I still think are cool despite what everyone else says).
We also had a table, some chairs, and some good music (courtesy of Ned). We would have painted The Rock, but another student group (who did not register to have it unlike other groups *cough cough*) painted it and literally were laying down and guarding it in sleeping bags. They were there for the National Day of Silence which signifies the discrimination that gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people face in society (between that, National Malaria Awareness Day, and Earth Day, April 25th is a pretty popular time).
Their cause was definitely a good one, but seeing as none of them were speaking due to it being a "day of silence," I'm not sure how many people they actually reached. Perhaps talking would have been a better strategy...I don't know, that's just my opinion.
Anyways, back to our awesome group. All in all we raised almost $400.
I truly feel that if we had more shirt sizes than just 3XL and youth small, we probably would have sold more. In addition to that, a woman came by who works over at the local middle school and she told us how they also did a Nothing But Nets fund-raiser where they raised over $400, but she wasn't sure what to do with the money now. So, after talking with her for 30 seconds, she has decided to trust us with the money, which she is sending over to Gabe's office in the very near future.
In short, good times were had by all and we've raised enough money to purchase around 80 nets!!! That's at least 80 more people who will be much safer because we spent 5 hours sitting outside and hanging out.
If that doesn't motivate you, check your pulse.
Thank you so much to everyone that helped. A special shout-out to Derek for bringing his bunk bed so that we could display a bed net; Ned for getting the volleyball net, music, basketball hoops, donuts and bagels, and a bunch of other stuff that I'm probably forgetting; Ashley for being there for about 4 hours; Danielle for waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to help set up; and Emily, Emma, and Rachel for being there and just being great. If I'm forgetting anyone, I'm really sorry...but a special shout-out to you as well.
I'm not really sure what STOMP is going to do over the summer, but if the past 3 weeks are a sign of things to come, then we're definitely going to be busy. I'll write everyone again just to stay in-touch and keep you guys informed of anything fun, interesting, or just because I'm bored.
Thank you all again. This couldn't have happened without everyone's efforts. We truly have done a lot for a group that isn't even formally registered yet.
Good luck with finals, and if I don't see you--have a great summer.
Sincerely,
Aaron
P.S. For the graduating Seniors: "Adventure is not in the guidebook, and beauty is not on the map. Seek and you shall find." (Someone who I once went camping with told me that. She is one of the nicest, coolest people I've ever met and at age 32 still has not grown up.
She is also the happiest person I know). Be courageous, be influential, and most importantly, be you! Good luck...and I'm keeping you on the e-mail list.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Here's How MSU is Celebrating World Malaria Day
The MSU Student Group -- Students Taking On Malaria Prevention (STOMP) -- has a table and info out by the Rock (in front of the Auditorium) today from 11 to 4 p.m.
You can actually see what a bed net looks like. And you can also buy a Buzz Kill t-shirt or an armband. Every cent from the shirts and armbands buys a bed net for a family in Africa. And the MSU Nothing But Nets Team gets the credit. What's not to like?!
In the photo on the right, Ned Walker (in the baseball cap) is hanging up Buzz Kill t-shirts with one of the STOMP members (sorry, I don't have your name).Celebrate World Malaria Day!
Make sure you stop by the Rock today from 11 to 4 and check out all the information available. Shoot some hoops, buy a Buzz Kill t-shirt and see an actual bed net. All proceeds go to the MSU Nothing But Nets team.
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