Spread the Net student challenge goal within reach

Will students at Central Algoma Secondary School have the opportunity to meet Rick Mercer?

They have one more fund raising initiative this weekend to complete, tally the funds raised and submit their totals then wait.

Supporters have one more chance to help Central Algoma Secondary School and its Grade 7/8 Intermediate students under the leadership of Marla Adamson-Barber who are competing in the Spread the Net Student Challenge.

Since 2007, Spread the Net has protected the lives of more than 9.6 million people including children and pregnant women and delivering 5.4 million Malaria-preventing bed nets to families in Africa.

Each year, Malaria kills an estimated 584,000 people and remains the leading cause of children under five in Africa.

On February 20, CASS will conduct its last Spread the Net Student Challenge fund raising initiative.

With the assistance from the Thessalon Public school, a Mosquito Chuck-a-puck, will take place at the Thessalon Arena when the Sault College Cougars whose roster includes, CASS Hockey Alumni Sam Good and Tanner Ivison, take on the American Lake Superior State University Lakers team at 2 p.m.

Pucks are $2 each and will be thrown at a bed net on the ice following the second intermission.

Organizers said the school is close to raising its target goal of $5,000, one bed net per student at CASS and a chance to meet, Rick Mercer.

Since December 2015, students have raised funds by hosting a badminton tournament, selling mosquito stocking stuffers, collected on-line donations and hosted a Bubble Try Day, and the most recent event, a Cake Auction and the selling of Mosquito Valentine’s in which the school raised $1,000 alone.

Students, staff, parents donated more than 50 items including one Sault Ste. Marie baker who heard about the cause and donated a cake.

The Spread the Net Student Challenge ends February 22 and the top three fund raising schools plus, for the first time this year, one school with the most engaging or creative fundraiser will receive a visit from Plan Canada’s spokesperson, Rick Mercer.

The staff and students are hopeful.

On the web, co-founded by Rick Mercer and Belinda Stronach, Spread the Net Student Challenge is a friendly competition between Canadian Schools to raise funds for bed nets.

The top fund raising elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools receive a visit from Mercer himself and appear on an episode of the Rick Mercer Report.

Rick Mercer Report featuring the school winners will air, Mar. 29.

On line donation can still be made at PlanCanada.ca/centralalgoma