Nothing But Nets Contest Winners to Get VIP Tour of United Nations

NEW YORK: Two United Methodist youth will get a free trip to the Big Apple this week, including VIP passes and a private tour of the United Nations. The two girls won the trip as a result of their youth groups’ fund-raising efforts for Nothing But Nets, a campaign to prevent malaria through the purchase and distribution of life-saving mosquito nets in Africa.

United Methodist Communications sponsored the fund-raising contest for youth groups to raise money for Nothing But Nets. Each $10 donation pays for an insecticide-treated bed net, distributes it to a family in Africa, and provides education on its proper use to prevent malaria. The youth groups competed in categories based on average worship attendance at their churches.

Erika Hilton of First United Methodist Church in Aliquippa, Penn. and Amanda Annonio of Lester's Chapel United Methodist Church in Columbiana, Ala. were selected to represent their youth groups on the trip. Erika’s youth group raised $1,300, and Amanda’s group raised $1,185.

“We hope the tour will enrich the girls’ understanding of the United Nations and our partnership with the United Nations Foundation in Nothing But Nets. They will also tour the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries while they are in New York, and learn more about how the denomination works in ministry with people around the world,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive at United Methodist Communications.

“I've never been to New York before,” said Erika. “I just wanted to help the kids in Africa.”

Amanda said she got involved in Nothing But Nets after she heard about it from her youth pastor Shaun Styers and youth coordinator Sandra Annonio--who is also Amanda's mother. The group decided to make the cause their main fundraiser for the year. "I thought this was the one fundraiser we could help the most people with," said Amanda.

Youth groups across the United Methodist connection have employed a variety of creative methods to raise funds.

Erika’s youth group took a collection from the church and from the youth group, sold strawberries and ice cream at a strawberry festival, held a rummage sale, and sold hoagies.

One of the ways that Amanda’s group raised money was through a “change” drive. “We as a youth group collected and painted soup cans for the members of our congregation to take home. Then we asked them to bring them back to church once their can was full,” said Amanda.

To learn more about Nothing But Nets, visit www.umc.org/nets or www.NothingButNets.net .