Celebrating JCI’s Terrific Partnership in Taipei

Nothing But Nets wrapped up 2012 in Taipei, Taiwan at Junior Chamber International’s World Congress, celebrating one of the campaign’s most active and effective partnerships. 2012 was a banner year for JCI and their work with Nothing But Nets: the organization and its 200,000 members worldwide came together to raise more than $500,000 to send nets and save lives. That’s more than 50,000 nets that will keep children and families safe from malaria throughout Africa! What makes JCI unique beyond its impressive fundraising is the passion and fun they bring to their support of Nothing But Nets.

The World Congress was an opportunity both to celebrate JCI’s commitment to the campaign and to send nets to protect families from malaria. JCI Taiwan members presented Nothing But Nets with a $40,000 check—that’s 4,000 nets!—and hosted parties to raise additional money. I thanked JCI members from around the world and emphasized how their incredible dedication makes a difference in the lives of so many families in Africa. To show our gratitude, I presented a personal letter from philanthropist and United Nations Foundation Founder and Chairman Ted Turner to JCI Secretary General Edson Kodama and 2012 JCI President Bertolt Daems thanking them and JCI for their service to Nothing But Nets and the UN Foundation.

This past year, JCI members fought malaria in so many different ways:

• In Minnesota, a young family helped their 9-year-old daughter raise $3,000 by making beaded bracelets to send life-saving bed nets. The bracelets’ colors represented the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals—which include reducing child deaths from diseases like malaria.

• In St. Louis, JCI hosted trivia nights to fundraise for nets.

• Across Europe, JCI members set sail in their second annual JCI Regatta on the Adriatic Sea to collect more than $12,000 for Nothing But Nets.

• In Germany, JCI members held a Casino Night where all of the evening’s winnings benefitted Nothing But Nets.

• In Japan, the Nothing But Nets logo appeared on the label of one of the country’s most popular brands of coffee with a portion of all proceeds helping to protect families in Africa from malaria.

• In the UK, a new brand of premium coffee roasted by JCI members, Clarke & Smyth, donates profits to Nothing But Nets.

And that’s just a fraction of the innovative ways JCI members are making a difference.

While 2012 set a high bar for our partnership, we’re planning on an even more successful 2013. This year we’ve committed to raising $600,000 with JCI’s help, and are encouraging members to advocate for the U.S. government’s support of malaria prevention policies. I can’t wait to hear stories at this year’s World Congress in Rio of how JCI is working to end malaria in this generation. When you’re working with JCI anything is possible!