Attention:  Fire beat reporters

 

MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Chicago Bull Luol Deng, Elizabeth McKee of the United Nations Foundation and Ginna  

Gutierrez will be present in the Verizon Wireless Media Center (TOYOTA PARK press box) at halftime of this Sunday’s game (6:00 p.m.)

start) against Colorado to speak with media members.

 

The assembled group will discuss MLS’ involvement with Nothing But Nets and the U.N. Foundation in the fight against malaria. 

Diego Gutierrez of the Fire is very active in this cause, having made a visit to the White House this past spring on National Malaria

Awareness Day.

 

Also, please see the enclosed news advisory relating to Nothing But Nets events taking place this month in Chicago (starting tomorrow at

The Taste of Chicago), involving the Fire, Bulls and Sky.

 

- Daniel Jankowski

 

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Chicago Community Leaders Devote the Month of July to

Fighting Malaria

Nothing But Nets, a Grassroots Campaign to Prevent Malaria, Comes to Chicago, Illinois

 

What:   Nothing But Nets will host a series of events from June 29 to July 27, 2007, in Chicago, Ill., as part of its national effort to raise money and awareness for malaria prevention. Malaria is a leading killer of children in Africa. The United Nations Foundation, The People of the United Methodist Church, Major League Soccer's M.L.S. Works, the Chicago Fire, the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago Sky, and the Luol Deng Foundation will co-host several events, including a Malaria Boot Camp for youth and a faith leaders breakfast for area faith and lay leaders.

 

            On July 1, MLS commissioner Don Garber will launch the MLS W.O.R.K.S. partnership with Nothing But Nets during the Chicago Fire's Faith and Family night. During the game, Chicago Fire star Diego Gutierrez will be honored for his continued support of Nothing But Nets.

 

Who:    Thomas J. Bickerton – The United Methodist Church, Bishop

Luol Deng – NBA Athlete, Chicago Bulls; Luol Deng Foundation

Don Garber – Major League Soccer, Commissioner

Diego Gutierrez – MLS Athlete, Chicago Fire

Elizabeth McKee – United Nations Foundation, Director of Nothing But Nets

Margaret Stender – WNBA Chicago Sky, President and CEO       

 

Local events:

Friday, June 29, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. CDT

Taste of Chicago, Taste Sports! Pavilion, Buckingham Fountain

(Columbus Drive (301 East) and Congress Parkway (500 South) in Grant Park)

      Diego Gutierrez and Luol Deng – national spokespeople for Nothing But Nets – will participate in shootout contests with fans at the Taste to help raise awareness about malaria and Nothing But Nets.

 

Sunday, July 1, 4:30 – 9:30 p.m. CDT

Nothing But Nets Launch, Chicago Fire’s Faith and Family Night, Toyota Park

(Toyota Park Drive, 7000 S. Harlem Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455)

During the Chicago Fire’s annual summer Firefest, MLS commissioner Don Garber will launch the MLS W.O.R.K.S. partnership with Nothing But Nets and honor Chicago Fire star Diego Gutierrez for his leadership on malaria prevention through Nothing But Nets. Local youth will also be recognized for their continued support of Nothing But Nets, and Chicago Bulls' star athlete, Luol Deng, will participate in the day’s activities.

Monday, July 16, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. CDT

Nothing But Nets Malaria Boot Camp, United Center

(United Center, 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612)

      Players from the Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire, and Chicago Sky will work with hundreds of local middle school and high school students in a three-hour workshop to learn more about Nothing But Nets, malaria prevention, and what youth can do to raise awareness in their communities.

 

Tuesday, July 17, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. CDT

Faith Leaders’ Breakfast, Chicago Temple

(77 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602)

      Faith leaders from the Chicago area will come together to pray for children and families who suffer from malaria and discuss the current issues and threats posed by this disease. The discussion will also focus on opportunities for United Methodists and other faith groups to get involved in Nothing But Nets.

       

Friday, July 27, 7:30 p.m. CDT

Nothing But Nets Night at the Chicago Sky Game, UIC Pavilion

(1150 West Harrison, Chicago, IL 60607)

      The Chicago Sky will host a Nothing But Nets in-arena night to bring players and fans together to fight malaria. Activities will include pre-game and half-time presentations, auctions, contests, and more. This is one of many in-arena nights occurring this year as part of the WNBA Cares partnership with Nothing But Nets.

 

 

 

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY.  PHOTO OPPORTUNITY.

All events are open to credentialed media only.

Please contact Amy DiElsi at 202-419-3230 or adielsi@unfoundation.org.

 

For more information visit, www.NothingButNets.net/Chicago or call 1-800-380-1810.

 

 

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 About Nothing But Nets

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. Inspired by Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly, thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation. Founding campaign partners include the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, the people of The United Methodist Church, and Sports Illustrated. Other partners include VH1, The Mark J. Gordon Foundation, AOL Black Voices, Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S., the Wasserman Foundation, The Women’s National Basketball Association’s WNBA Cares, and Rotarians’ Action Group on Malaria. It only costs $10 to provide an insecticide-treated bed net that can prevent this deadly disease. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matches donations dollar for dollar. Visit www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.