Quick. Count to thirty. Finished? A child in Africa has just died of malaria. Each year, anywhere from 350 million to 500 million people contract Malaria, a disease transmitted by a blood parasite in mosquitoes. The disease kills around a million people each year, with a large portion of these deaths in children under the age of five. Although the disease has nearly been wiped out in Europe and the Americas, it hits Africa especially hard.

Whereas many would just look the other way, WJ students have decided to help make a difference. The second annual “Nothing But Nets Basketball Tournament,” organized by members of WJ’s leadership class, helped raise over $2000 through donations and tournament entry fees for Nothing But Nets, a non-profit organization which sends pesticide-treated bednets to homes in over 10 African countries. Each net costs $10, so the $2000 raised will help 200 Africans have a safer night’s sleep.

With never a dull moment during the tournament’s festivities, the more than 100 students who played in the tournament, both boys and girls, were able to raise awareness and fight for a good cause while enjoying the game as well.

“People are able to identify themselves with [the event] because they are able to help out people who need help, along with having fun in the basketball tournament,” said senior Robin Mowatt, who was one of the main coordinators of this year’s tournament.

And it doesn’t stop at just basketball. This November also saw the planning of the second annual Field Hockey vs. Football game, a friendly field hockey game between members of the varsity field hockey and football teams. All proceeds from this event will go to KaBOOM!, a charity whose vision is to “bring play back into the lives of our children” by building and renovating playgrounds and other play areas in run-down and overlooked parts of the country. Although weather caused the event to be postponed with no set reschedule date,  the bonding power of sports combined with the good cause has made this event special.

“The event started mainly because the football team and field hockey team were so close,” said senior field hockey co-captain Georgina Beven. “Having the game was a fun way to bring us all together one last time.”

Even at the professional level, athletes show an exemplary level of kindness by participating in charity events and volunteering in the community. For more than 35 years, the NFL has had a partnership with the United Way, paving the way for other teams and leagues to get involved. MLB has had an official partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America since 1997. Since the tragic death of college basketball icon Jimmy Valvano in 1993, the NCAA has worked hand-in-hand with the Jimmy V fund to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Since 2005, members of the NBA and WNBA have volunteered in the community through NBA Cares, an organization which to date has donated more than $105 million to charity.

Upcoming fundraising events include the Best Buddies Bowl-a-Rama on Dec.13 and “WJ’s Best Dance Crew,” a dance competition on Jan. 15 benefitting the Andrea Rizzo foundation.  Through the compelling mediums of athletics and activity, students are able to not only have fun, but raise awareness and fight for a cause.

“Helping people makes you feel good,” said Mowatt. “But doing it while having fun is even better.”

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY RYAN LYNCH

NOTE: ARTICLE AS SEEN IN DEC. 4 PRINT ISSUE