PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Colin Smith, 15, recently attended the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets Leadership Summit in Washington DC.
Smith, a sophomore at Parsippany Hills High School, has conducted fundraising events during the Parsippany Adult and Communication Education’s (PACE) “Wide World of Summer” camp program held at Central Middle School. “Wide World of Summer” is an eight-week camp program filled with outdoor sports and indoor activities, educational enrichment programs and field trips. Smith is a member of the camp’s Counselor in Training leadership program.
Smith’s programs have raised money for the UN Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign. The campaign aims to prevent malaria, a leading cause of death among children in Africa by purchasing and distributing long-lasting, insecticide-treated anti-mosquito nets, and educating families on their use. Smith’s fundraising activities included a soccer goal shootout, basketball shooting contests and a collection jug for spare change. In partnership with his sister Jacqueline, the Smith siblings have now raised a total of $4,000 for the organization, enough for 400 nets for families in affected countries. Both Colin and Jacqueline have been named to the Nothing But Nets “Champions Council” for their efforts. Colin recently attended the non-profit Leadership Summit in Washington DC, including scientific discussions, leading advocacy sessions on Capitol Hill, networking opportunities with United Nations leaders, and discussion of future fundraising events. His future malaria advocacy projects include events in conjunction with World Malaria Day on April 25, and continuing Wide World of Summer educational activities.
