Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF moves into the 21st century with digital initiatives, new fundraising techniques and college campus challenge
UNICEF continues to save children's lives worldwide and Make Halloween Count™
NEW YORK (October 1, 2008) — This October, Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF expands into the 21st century with digital initiatives, new technology–backed fundraising techniques and a college campus challenge. What started 58 years ago as a simple door–to–door coin collection by a youth group in Philadelphia, has evolved to incorporate social media, mobile giving, partnerships with MLS W.O.R.K.S. and more.
Raising over $140 million to date, Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF continues to make Halloween by teaching children across the United States about the world beyond their backyards and the importance of global citizenship.
"So much has changed in the world in the 50 years since this campaign launched," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "Reaching technologically savvy young people and engaging them on their level was essential for us not only to bring Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF into the 21st century, but also to underscore our commitment to do whatever it takes to save a child's life."
This year, Trick–or–Treating for UNICEF is easier than ever with the introduction of several new fundraising ideas and techniques including:
- Facebook.com: Add the Causes application, join the Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF cause, then start recruiting friends and raising funds!
- "Text–or–Treat for UNICEF" Mobile Giving: Text the word "TOT" to 864233 ("UNICEF") to donate $5 on your mobile phone.
- Personal Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF Fundraising Webpages: "Trick–or–Treat Online" by creating your own fundraising webpage at unicefusa.org/totonline.
- Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF E–Store: Wear your support for Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF by purchasing t–shirts and sweatshirts, Halloween products and educational toys at unicefusa.org/totstore.
- Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Halloween Parties: Host parties for friends, family and colleagues to celebrate Halloween and, at the same time, raise funds for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. Register your party at unicefusa.org/halloweenparties.
- Major League Soccer: Coaches of youth soccer participants in New Jersey Youth Soccer will receive a customized Major League Soccer/TOT fundraising kit to help kick off Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF efforts this fall. MLS W.O.R.K.S, Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative, and The New York Red Bulls will recognize the outstanding achievements of the youth teams with special incentives.
- The "Help us save some lives!" Campus Challenge: Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF can be the first activity for college students participating in a challenge to raise funds for UNICEF. Sponsored by the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF and the Association of College Unions International, campuses across the country can compete from September 5, 2008 to February 28, 2009, and the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF will match every dollar raised up to $150,000 for a total of $300,000. Incentives have been created to inspire students and reward the winning campuses. For more information visit unicefusa.org/campuschallenge.
- Send a Halloween E–Card from unicefusa.org/totcard to let your friends and family know you are fundraising for Trick–or–Treat for UNICEF and encourage them to join you.
- Speak about Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF in your Community: Visit unicefusa.org/totdownloads for sample speeches to get you started.
- Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF on MySpace.com.
- Tell us How YOU Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF: For a chance to be featured on the U.S. Fund for UNICEF website, share your Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF stories by emailing us at trickortreat@unicefusa.org and upload your favorite photos to the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF photo group on Flickr with a "TOTFU" tag.
The traditional fundraising methods of Trick-or-Treating for donations door-to-door with UNICEF orange collection boxes, bake sales, car washes, etc. are also highly encouraged. Collection boxes are available at several retail locations, including Hallmark Gold Crown stores and Pier 1 Imports®. Store locations can be found at unicefusa.org/trickortreat. They can be ordered online at the same web site or by phone at 1.800.4UNICEF. They can also be picked up at Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA and Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ during the month of October.
Although Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is a program geared towards kids, we encourage parents, educators, corporations and adults to participate as well. 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, parent letters, a 30-day family calendar, as well as a teacher's guide for educators, including activity sheets, lesson plans, wall posters and other resources, all available for download at unicefusa.org/totdownloads.
Through relationships with faith based and service partners, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is supported by kids of all ages. Of special note is UNICEF's partnership with Key Club International, the largest high school service organization, whose members have raised over $750,000 in support of the Swazi Children Care Project through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Visit unicefusa.org/keyclub for more information on how to get involved.
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, 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 over 12,000 participating Coinstar Centers®, found in supermarkets, drug stores and mass merchants nationwide. For more information, visit 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, U.S. Fund for UNICEF Media, 212.922.2464
