Proud to shine as a Champion for Children

My name is Anne Chamblee and I am an American Airlines Flight Attendant based at John F. Kennedy airport. I am a proud "Champion for Children" for UNICEF's Change for Good program on American Airlines and volunteer my time while on the job to collect donations of foreign and domestic currency from AA customers to help UNICEF save children's lives.

Anne Chamblee is an American Airlines Flight Attendant based at John F. Kennedy airport and a proud "Champion for Children" for UNICEF's Change for Good program on American Airlines.

Last week, fellow Champion Alex Wahl, a Miami-based AA Flight Attendant, and I had the privilege to attend the UNICEF Snowflake Ball in New York at Cipriani 42nd Street.

	Anne Chamblee/2010
	Champions for Children Alex Wahl and Anne Chamblee at the 2010 UNICEF Snowflake Ball.

All night long, we were introduced to many supporters of UNICEF during this very elegant event. Throughout the afternoon and evening, they continually shared with us how significant the contribution of the Champions for Children is for the organization.

We thoroughly enjoyed the pleasure of dressing up for the occasion, the wonderful ambiance and the fantastic meal. Walking into the room, the decor was striking. All around were immense pictures of smiling children who survive today in part because of UNICEF.

Today there are 10,000 more lives saved each day than in 1990.

Hanging from the ceiling, like a canopy of stars, were 22,000 lights representing those children who still die every day of preventable causes.

The expertise and the effectiveness of UNICEF were discreetly showcased in every aspect of the event. We were particularly impressed with the simple and eloquent awards presentations and the awesome auction. I felt very proud to be associated with such an assembly, where the only focus was on helping children around the world.

It was an honor to attend this event as a Champion for Children. I have participated in the Change for Good program from the beginning and together we have come far. After attending this event, Alex and I are convinced we can go even further. As the African proverb says: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

"TOGETHER WE CAN GET TO ZERO!"