Children make Halloween count by Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF
Program continues to empower US children to help kids in need around the world
NEW YORK (June 12, 2008)—This October, UNICEF will celebrate the 58th anniversary of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF—encouraging American children to make Halloween count by helping other children around the world. Since 1950, children across the United States have been learning about the world beyond their backyards and the importance of social responsibility by Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF. Pioneered by a conscientious youth group in Philadelphia, the first Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began as a door-to-door initiative on Halloween night with milk cartons to collect funds for kids left vulnerable by World War II. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF continues to inspire children around the country, raising over $140 million to date.
"As a mother, one of the most important gifts I can give my own kids is the ability to help other children in need around the world," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "The lessons that children learn from participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF are both meaningful and educational and provide them with the opportunity to literally help save millions of children’s lives."
By visiting UNICEF’s trick-or-treat website, www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat, children, families and educators can find fun and educational resources including steps on how to develop a fundraising program. Suggested fundraisers range from bake sales and read-a-thons to car washes and the development of a UNICEF-hosted, personalized fundraising webpage. The traditional fundraising method of trick-or-treating for donations door-to-door with UNICEF orange collection boxes is also highly encouraged. Collection boxes are available at several retail locations, including Pier 1 Imports® and Hallmark Gold Crown stores. They can also be ordered online at www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat or by phone at 1.800.FOR.KIDS.
Although Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is a program geared towards kids, parents, educators, corporations and adults are all encouraged to participate. As such, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF makes available door signs for families wishing to alert trick-or-treaters that they are supporting the campaign, as well as a teacher's guide for educators, including activity sheets, lesson plans, wall posters and other resources.
Through relationships with faith based and service partners, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is supported by kids of all ages. Of special note is our partnership with Key Club International, the largest high school service organization, which has raised more than $1 million for programs in Africa. Key Club this year will be fundraising for programs supporting children in Swaziland.
Procter & Gamble, through its Live, Learn and Thrive global cause, is this year's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF national sponsor. This marks the company’s eighth year supporting the program through a donation of $250,000, as well as a special Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF edition of the October P&GbrandSAVER™, which reaches 57 million households.
Donations can be made via credit card or check, or through participating Coinstar Centers®, found in supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchants nationwide. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leading international children’s organization, working in 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.
For additional information or to request an interview, please contact:
Marci Greenberg, 212.922.2464, mgreenberg@unicefusa.org
