Look To The Stars News: Spread the Net

Rick Mercer Announces Spread The Net Challenge Winners

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Plugging Spread the Net’s slogan – “1 Net. 10 Bucks. Saves lives.” – comedian Rick Mercer announced the high school and the university that raised the most money during this year’s Spread the Net Student Challenge that ended last month.

Espanola High School in Ontario and the University of Northern British Columbia raised over $30,000 of the $104,000 total that came in from 65 schools and universities for the purchase of insecticide-treated bed nets to be distributed throughout Africa to prevent the spread of malaria. Mercer and Belinda Stronach created Spread the Net with UNICEF Canada to support UNICEF’s bed net distribution programs.

“Malaria is a preventable disease,” says a student from UNBC. “It’s something that we have been able to eradicate here in Canada. I feel we should be able to reach out to other countries and try to help them as well. This is the most effective way to prevent the disease.”

Rick Mercer’s Spread The Net Challenge Almost Over

Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Since 2006, comedian Rick Mercer and philanthropist Belinda Stronach’s Spread the Net organisation has been working with UNICEF Canada to purchase and distribute insecticide-treated bed nets throughout Africa, where those most at risk of death from malaria are children under the age of five.

In February 2010, Spread the Net launched the annual [Student Challenge ], which invited high schools and universities across Canada to try to raise the most money for the cause. Although the goal of 500,000 new bed nets has already been reached, the contest does not wind down until the end of this month.

The Student Challenge followed a similar one the previous year which saw the University of Ottawa win in Canada’s east and Simon Fraser University in the west, raising over $800,000 to purchase and deliver the $10 nets.

Matt Damon Joins Entourage For Charity

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Matt Damon will make a cameo appearance on the latest season of Entourage to promote a charity he is involved with.

“It wasn’t hard to get him,” Entourage executive producer Doug Elin told TV Guide. “Matt came on the phone with me and wanted to do something that focused on his charity, ONEXONE, which helps kids all over the world.”

Damon will join NBA star LeBron James in the episode, which features Damon forcing Adrian Grenier’s character to donate more to the charity than he intended to.

Matt Damon Hosts ONE X ONE Awards

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Matt Damon returned to Toronto on Monday to host his third consecutive Difference Awards ceremony for ONEXONE.

Over 500 guest attended the gala, which featured performances from Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Nikki Yanofsky, and the African Children’s Choir.

ONEXONE is a non-profit organization that supports children in Canada and abroad. Established less than four years ago by Joelle Adler, it has already raised over $5 million and created partnerships with major corporations and foundations, such as H2O Africa, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Millennium Promise, War Child and Spread the Net.

Matt Damon Returns For ONE X ONE

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:30:00 +0000

For the third year in a row, Matt Damon will host ONEXONE’s annual charity benefit gala, where celebrities and activists will gather for an evening of musical performances, words from key speakers, fundraising and entertainment.

ONEXONE’s Difference Awards will also be presented at the gala, recognizing individuals for their extraordinary efforts in fighting child poverty and suffering. One of last year’s honorees, Wyclef Jean, is returning this year as musical director and performer. Other entertainment will include John Legend and the African Children’s Choir, which is raising awareness of the needs of Africa’s orphans and destitute children.

A fairly young organization, ONEXONE raises millions of dollars each year for projects within Canada and abroad for partners such as H2O Africa, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Millennium Promise, War Child and Spread the Net to “directly impact children in need around the world – one by one.”