United Methodists will set up lemonade stands in Richmond and other locations across the state Saturday, April 25.

The reason: To raise money to help prevent malaria, a potentially fatal disease found mostly in Africa. Malaria is caused by a parasite and spread by mosquitoes. The event is being held on World Malaria Day.

“We want to connect our neighbors with our churches and help save the lives of thousands in Africa suffering from malaria,” said Bishop Young Jin Cho, who leads the state’s estimated 335,000 members of the United Methodist Church.

The aim is to get more than 1,000 lemonade stands set up across the state, he said. At least 18 churches in the Richmond area have signed up.

The event is part of a yearlong initiative approved at the 2014 Virginia Annual Conference session last June. The goal is to raise $1 million or more before the next state conference, scheduled for June 19 through 21 in Roanoke. That would save at least 100,000 lives, according to officials.

Proceeds will go to “Imagine No Malaria,” an initiative of the United Methodist Church and other foundations, for prevention efforts, including bed nets; treatment, including medication and trained workers; grassroots education; and communication efforts to prevent the spread of malaria.

For a list of lemonade stands, go to www.vaumc.org/pages/ministries/mission/nomalaria/inm-lemonadestandsites.