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In honor of Malaria
Awareness Day,
President George W.
Bush visits BGCs of
Hartford, Conn., to
recognize those
involved in the
fight against
malaria. He is
joined by Melinda Dolittle,
(back right) former
American Idol
finalist and Malaria
No More spokeswoman.
Malaria No More, a
national nonprofit,
is leading the fight
against the
mosquito-born
disease.
(Photo:
Michael McAndrews)
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Dragonfly Award Presented to
Roxanne Spillett
BGCA President/CEO
Recognized for Support of Malaria Prevention
Hartford, Conn. -- April 25
-- To mark Malaria Awareness
Day on Friday, April 25,
President George W. Bush
recognized Boys & Girls
Clubs of America President
and CEO Roxanne Spillett and
two other deserving
individuals for taking
simple steps to help prevent
malaria and promote
awareness of this insidious
disease. At the Northwest
Boys & Girls Club in
Hartford, Bush presented
each recipient with the Dragonfly Award for
their efforts. The award was
aptly
named after the dragonfly,
which is a natural
predator of the
malaria-spreading mosquito.
In 2005, Bush launched the President's Malaria Initiative, a
five-year, $1.2 billion initiative to dramatically cut the number of
malaria-related deaths in Africa.
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During the April 25
event, Bush
presented Spillett
(left) with the
Dragonfly Award in
recognition of her
malaria prevention support.
(Photo: The White
House)
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In 2007, Spillett participated in a White House Summit regarding
Malaria Prevention. Boys & Girls Club members across the country
soon began to generate awareness of how malaria effects many in
Africa's sub-Sahara region and how simple bed nets can save
countless lives. Many young people began to raise money
to purchase bed nets for those in need.
"More than 150 Boys &
Girls Clubs have joined the campaign to raise funds
and spread awareness. Local Clubs have held events
ranging from car washes to bake sales to
walk-a-thons," said Bush. "Altogether, Boys & Girls
Clubs have raised some $25,000 -- more than enough
to buy 2,500 bed nets for families in Africa."
The other two Dragonfly Award winners were Zachary Ellenthal of
Connecticut, who requested donations
to Malaria No More in lieu of
presents for his Bar Mitzvah last
year, and Allyson Brown of Florida,
who transformed her high school
dance into a fundraiser for malaria
prevention. These two young people
demonstrate how each of us can make a
difference. It only takes $10
to purchase a bed net that can
protect an African family from
mosquitoes for up to
five years.
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Have some news for The Scoop? Contact
Brian Hill,
director, public relations.
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In its 2005 "Philanthropy 400" report, The Chronicle of Philanthropy placed Boys & Girls Clubs of America in the No. 1 position among youth organizations for the 12th consecutive year.
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