Cheering fans filled the stands in the Manchester Elementary Middle School (MEMS) gymnasium last Friday morning. At each end of the court, multiple players rapidly tossed up free throws as supporters whooped and hollered in delight with each made shot.
It was more than fun. It was a fundraising event called Nothing but Nets. Students and teachers were making free throws to raise money to fight malaria. Each made basket added to a team total that generated a donation from a sponsor. If someone pledged a dollar, then 30 made shots in a three minute window raised $30 … enough to send 3 malaria bed nets, costing $10 each, to vulnerable families around the world.
Excluding the pandemic, Nothing but Nets has taken place at MEMS for the past 15 years. Students and staff solicit support from families, friends, and businesses around town. The total money raised is based on the number of free throws that pour through the net.
“Every minute one child in the world dies from malaria,” said Anna Nicholson, MEMS middle school counselor and the driving force behind Nothing but Nets. “This is the least our MEMS community can do to help others.”
(Photo above: MEMS middle school counselor Anna Nicholson cheers on the little ones shooting free throws to raise money to fight malaria.)
A future Caitlin Clark gets ready for Nothing but Nets fundraiser at MEMS.
Young MEMS free throw shooter inspired by the Jordan Jumpman Logo.
MEMS Staff practicing free throws at the Nothing but Nets fundraiser.