BRHS Key Club to Hold Charity Volleyball Tournament

BRADENTON -- On February 22, Braden River High School’s Key Club will hold their third annual volleyball tournament to benefit The Eliminate Project, which is a joint effort on the part of Kiwanis International and UNICEF to rid the world of neonatal tetanus (MNT).

According to the organization’s official website, MNT is a “deadly disease [that] steals the lives of nearly 60,000 innocent babies and a significant number of women each year. The effects of the disease are excruciating—tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions and extreme sensitivity to light and touch.

“To eliminate MNT from the Earth, more than 100-million mothers and their future babies must be immunized. This requires vaccines, syringes, safe storage, transportation, thousands of skilled staff and more. It will take US $110 million—and the dedicated work of UNICEF and every member of the Kiwanis family.

“Kiwanis and UNICEF joined forces to tackle iodine deficiency disorders, achieving one of the most significant public health successes of the 20th century. Now, they are eliminating MNT from the face of the Earth. And in doing so, the project will reach the poorest, most neglected mothers and babies with additional lifesaving health care. The end of this one disease means the beginning of better health for so many families.”

The Eliminate Project helps mothers through education, outreach and mass immunization drives; and by training midwives and birth attendants in safe birthing practices and providing them with clean-delivery kits.

According to PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Healthy), around 1,600 women die every day from complications associated with pregnancy or childbirth, and infection is a leading cause. Infection can be greatly avoided with the use of clean-delivery kits, like those distributed by The Eliminate Project.  

MNT has been eliminated from 34 countries, with 25 more to go.   

Last year, the Braden River High School (BRHS) Key Club raised over $2,000 for The Eliminate Project, and the club intends to surpass that amount in 2014. 

BRHS Key Club is one of the top 5 in the Florida District of Key Club International. They are recognized as a Diamond Distinguished Level Club—which means they operate with utmost proficiency. 

The third annual volleyball tournament to benefit The Eliminate Project will be held at Manatee Public Beach (3986 Gulf Drive) on February 22, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. To participate in this event, send a completed registration form to brhsvbt@gmail.com by Feb. 20. Sponsorship forms are also available, and donations will be accepted until the day of the tournament. 

A silent auction will also be held this year, and BRHS Key Club will gladly accept items from the community. 

For any questions or concerns, contact BRHS Key Club President Tayler Shreve:

tayler.shreve@aol.com

941.224.9944