UNICEF parades to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King

Ever since I joined UNICEF USA during high school, my life has flourished in unimaginable ways. Being a part of the amazing UNITE council has introduced me to great people with whom I have created lasting relationships with. As Youth Rep, I have the privilege of witnessing UNICEF’s impact on the community.

For example, I was honored to be part of the UNICEF USA Houston group walking at the 42nd annual MLK Day to celebrate the work of the late, great Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King’s efforts demand equality for all races and ever since the mid 1900s society has not stopped his initiative. I am proud to contribute to our community's efforts for a better inclusion! Dr King remains an inspiration to all UNITERS and UNICEF supporters to continue their great work of ensuring a safe and healthy life for children and families.

Volunteers and participants walked the one-mile trek through Downtown Houston on Jan 20, 2020. I was truly in awe to see how many people had shown up to watch the parade. As we walked through the crowds, people began to cheer for UNICEF, because they know the organization puts children first. I hope this becomes a tradition for all UNICEF USA supporters in the coming years. The parade was filled with laughter, music, and love — all things which make Houston, Houston.

I want to give a huge thank you to everyone that participated in the event and made it such a success. Special thanks goes to the Houston Community College CCI 2020 Program participants. The volunteers and participants showed up and showed out and we could not ask for anything better! The parade was not only fun and memorable, but also deeply gratifying and eye-opening.

This is just one of the countless ways that UNICEF USA shows up for its community. From car-washes to parades to galas, UNICEF has made its mark on Houston. If you are excited about becoming UNICEF UNITE volunteer, please sign up at unicefusa.org/unite or contact the Houston Community Engagement Associate, Olivera Jankovska at ojankovska@unicefusa.org