This Friday, the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church is teaming up with the Harlem Globetrotters to raise awareness and funds to prevent malaria! Through the New England Conference, for just $30, you can attend the February 19th Harlem Globetrotters game, the March 21st Springfield Falcons hockey game, and make a $10 donation to Nothing But Nets. Please visit www.neumc.org/globetrotters to purchase tickets.
Want to get involved but live too far away? You can also donate the cost of a ticket which will be given to a child at the local Boys and Girls Club or Shriner’s Hospital so that he or she can get a chance to attend the game and join in the fun! Check out www.neumc.org/globetrotters for details.
This is the second year the New England Conference has partnered with the Harlem Globetrotters to benefit Nothing But Nets. In the winter of 2008, United Methodists from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island purchased more than 1,300 tickets to a Globetrotters’ game in Springfield, Mass., with a portion of each ticket sale going directly to the Nothing But Nets campaign. With Bishop Weaver performing the toss-up for tip-off, followed by the usual entertaining Globetrotter skills, the game was a huge success. Not only did everyone enjoy a day of family fun, community time together and a win for the Globetrotters, the fundraiser was a slam dunk with enough money raised to purchase more than 700 bed nets. In addition, many church members who were unable to attend the game purchased tickets anyway – and more than 300 of the tickets purchased were donated to local organizations so underprivileged children and their families could attend the game!
The New England Conference of The United Methodist Church has taken some creative ideas, a desire to have fun, and the spirit of giving to highlight the need for bed nets in Africa. Congratulations!