CMU students hope to raise $7,500 this weekend for charity as part of a class project to help fight malaria in Africa.

“Tackling Malaria: One Youth at a Time” is a football camp for youths in grades 5-8. The camp will feature players and coaches from CMU’s football team with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Organizers of the event hope for everyone to put in a donation. NCAA regulations prohibit a charge for the camp; but organizers believe they will achieve their goal.

“We are asking for an initial $50 participation donation,” said Detroit senior Brandy Dona. “This will also help cover the cost for each participant’s bag, T-shirt and water bottle.”

The football camp came as a class project from Vincent Mumford’s PES 320: Foundations of Sports Management class. Each semester the class tries to raise money to help fight malaria in Africa. For each $10 donated, a net will be bought and could save a life in Africa.

“Chip Away Malaria has raised almost $22,000 in two years,” said Ryan Lambert, Chip Away Malaria president.

Lambert, a Illinois senior, said each semester the class tries to improve on the previous classes mark. The highest a class has raised since the start of Chip Away Malaria was $6,500.

“You can never set you goals too high,” Lambert said.

Senior defensive end Antrione Archer said he is excited to be involved with the community.

“Helping in the community is one of the reasons I came to Mount Pleasant,” said the Georgia native. “I hope to speak to the young kids about having good character, being bold and responsible.”

Archer said a list was put up after a practice if anyone wanted to volunteer and help. Although no real number was given, Archer said he saw at least 20 players sign up.

Participants at the camp can look forward to stations pertaining to what they want to learn at the camp.

“If the kid wants to learn how to defend a pass, he can come here – if he wants to learn how to tackle he can come to this camp,” said Sterling Heights senior Dan Hasty. “Our idea is to have positions – two players from the football team at each position.”

The class hopes to have roughly 200 participants from the Mid-Michigan area. A silent auction featuring CMU memorabilia also will take place.

For more information, visit tacklingmalaria.com.

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