Take That, Malaria!

A week of events to help African families

By CALLIE MCCLENDON

Updated 8:33 AM EST, Wed, Jun 17, 2009

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Nothing But Nets, a campaign that provides malaria nets to African communities, rolls into DC this week to host a 10-day tour chockfull of various rallies, parties, sporting events and happy hours.

The week kicked off with a DC United soccer game last Saturday, and a rally recognizing campaign supporters took place at the U.S. Navy Memorial yesterday. What's up for the rest of the week?

Join Katherine Kennedy of "Blonde Charity Mafia" for a Young Professionals Happy Hour at 6:30 p.m. Thursday night at Skye Lounge (1919 Pennsylvania Ave. NW). Your $10 cover will not only get you a "free" drink ticket, but more importantly, it will help purchase a malaria net to an entire African family. A raffle will offer sporting event tickets and gift certificates to spas and shops.

More intellectual types can check out the Technology & Philanthropy Happy Hour at 5 p.m. this Friday at the Clarendon Ballroom (3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA). Loosen up with a cheap drink so you can participate in the panel discussion on social networking tools. Once again, all of the proceeds will benefit Nothing But Nets.

And if sports are your thing, swing by the Washington Bayhawks lax game on Friday at 7 p.m. or the Washington Mystics basketball game Saturday at 7 p.m. During both events, Nothing But Nets will have tables in the concourses where you can learn more about the campaign and even purchase and donate a malaria net.

We know DC's humid summer weather basically breeds mosquitoes, requiring you to set up a personal weekly fund for awful-smelling (and -tasting) cans of Off! But for this week, why don’t you head indoors for a Nothing But Nets event and spend your bug repellent allowance on a malaria net for a family in Africa? For once this summer, you might just be bite-free without smelling like walking chemicals.