Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, I have been collecting donations for the charity Spread the Net (STN). I am happy to say that Signal Hill Elementary (SHE) and donors from the Pemberton area have helped me reach my goal of $700 to buy mosquito nets for families in Africa. Malaria is the No. 1 cause of death in Africa, as every minute a child dies from a form of malaria. However, malaria is preventable, and by donating $10 to STN that money buys an insecticide-sprayed bed net, and saves lives.
What did I do?
Actually, it was me and my friend Joe Davies, who brought STN to Pemberton. In the first few months I had sent a notice in my family’s Christmas newsletter asking for cheques in the mail or donations online. Then one night my mom had an idea driving home from Whistler. The idea was to do a dance and then ask for donations there, while people had money for buying food. The idea worked great, and Joe and I were able to raise $255.75 from the dance alone.
Why did we do this?
As you may have known, every year SHE gets tickets to We Day, a live show at Rogers arena in Vancouver. We Day features celebrities and public speakers such as Demi Levato and Desmond Tutu talking about topics like bullying, racism, and how all that can change. The way the school chooses the people who get to go is by asking them to make a commitment to help either the greater community or just local issues. Frankly, I was not interested, but Joe dragged me to that original meeting and I would have never done this if it wasn’t for him. Then while watching the Rick Mercer Report he mentioned Spread the Net, and we decided that would be our commitment, to donate to Spread the Net.
Who helped?
Of course Joe and my mom and dad, but I are also thankful of: Hana Ronan (for donating $89 worth of rolled coins); Irma, Rachelle, and Yvon Tetreault; Gwendolyn Davies; Art Van Wart; Maggie McLaren; Rachel Woodman; Lesley Clark; Bryan McGuire; Christie Hess; Cassia Jean; Ms. Henry; and the generous anonymous donors of Signal Hill Elementary School.
Thank you!
Isaac Tetreault
- Age 12
