HARRISVILLE — Ask Emily Hayes how she would spend a dollar and you'll be surprised at the 10 year old's answer.

“You can't buy much at McDonald's for a dollar,” Hayes said.

Instead, the Portersville Christian School fourth grader met a challenge issued by her pastor to use one dollar to raise funds and awareness by organizing a concert to benefit Imagine No Malaria, a ministry of the United Methodist Church.

Hayes' ongoing efforts come together Sunday with the Imagine No Malaria: Imagine the Music concert.

The big event is just days away, but the project began several months ago with a sermon to the children of Harrisville United Methodist Church.

In October, Pastor Bill Hastings presented each of the 10 children with a single dollar bill. He then challenged them to lead the church in raising funds and awareness for the Imagine No Malaria campaign.

“I thought if the children could do it, it would inspire the adults to do something too,” Hastings said.

“And a little child shall lead them,” he added, quoting Isaiah 11:6.

Some children purchased brownie mix and held bake sales. Another created an informational poster and collected donations outside a local bank. Their efforts so far have collected $270 for Imagine No Malaria, according to Hastings.

To put it into perspective, Hastings said the money could buy bug-repellent mesh tents that accommodate up to five people.

With one in five African children dying from malaria and each tent sleeping five people, it is possible that the congregation's children saved 10 or more African children.

Sunday's concert plans began when Hayes took her dollar and her pastor's challenge to her parents for help in devising a plan.

“I asked her what her gifts were and how she could use them,” said Lorri Hayes, Emily's mother.

After considering the question, Emily decided to use her musical abilities as a harp and piano player to organize a concert. While her parents found the plan to be ambitious, they stood behind Emily and her dedication.

“We are very proud of her. She is a great little girl,” Lorri Hayes said.

Emily's first goal was to purchase a song to play on her harp. After contacting the company that sells her harp music, she was unable to buy the song. Instead, the company insisted she keep her dollar and sent her an entire booklet of music.

Fellow classmates as well as Emily's instructors and performers with the Butler Symphony Orchestra joined the effort, turning the one-girl concert into an event that will feature vocalists, harpists, pianists and other musicians.

Next, she spoke with Pastor Hastings about using the church to host the event.

The church offers an annual performance on Palm Sunday, but no plans had been set for this year. Hastings decided it would be the perfect chance to accommodate Emily's efforts while keeping with the tradition of a church family gathering.

Emily and her parents also approached local businesses for donations to be used in the silent auction. Harrisville businesses, the Butler Symphony Orchestra and a local photographer have all contributed to the silent auction, which will feature more than $1,000 in prizes.

The Imagine No Malaria initiative is both grateful for and impressed by Emily's efforts.

“Emily has serves as an inspiration to many. She has chosen to give of herself to children, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters that she will never meet,” said Laura Meengs, field coordinator for Imagine No Malaria. “We are honored that she has chosen to share her passion for music in a way that will bring hope and grace to children in need.”

Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted from a mosquito bite. One child dies from malaria every 45 seconds.

Emily said that the Imagine No Malaria organization and their efforts are important because they are helping save people from a disease with it treatable and does not have to be a death sentence.

Imagine No Malaria hopes to eliminate malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa by 2015.

The total funds raised with the donations and the silent auction will be sent to the campaign.

While the final total will not be known for several more days, Emily knows she has at least one dollar to contribute: the one given to her in October.

“I still can't get anyone to take my dollar!” Emily said.

<B>WHAT:</B> Imagine No Malaria: Imagine the Music concert<B>WHEN: </B>6 p.m. Sunday<B>WHERE: </B>Harrisville United Methodist Church, 301 S. Main St., Harrisville<B>INFO: </B>Admission is free; donations will be collected for Imagine No Malaria