The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was funded in 1949, at the end of World War II, to help children suffering from famine and disease. Since then, UNICEF has been providing clean water, medicine, nutritious food, and emergency relief to children around the world. One of their most recognizable fundraisers is Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Every Halloween, children around the world collect money to help less fortunate children.
History of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
In 1950, a group of school children in Philadelphia, PA, started the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign in an effort to raise money for children affected by World War II. This first group of children used decorated milk cartons in order to raise money for some of the neediest children in the world. This first group raised a total of $17 for the UNICEF program.
Two years later, the Philadelphia program became a national program. Since then, this worldwide effort has helped to raise more than $188 million for UNICEF. Character and celebrities such as Kermit the Frog, Spiderman, Scooby Doo, and Sarah Jessica Parker have helped encourage children to participate in the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program.
These initial efforts launched the campaign to international heights. Canada began its own Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program in 1955. The second half of the twentieth century also marked the beginning of similar efforts in Mexico and Ireland. In 2001, Hong Kong, the newest partner country, began participating in the annual fundraiser.
How UNICEF Money is Used
The money raised through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF goes to provide medicine, water, food, education, and other services for children around the world. UNICEF can use even the smallest donation to help children in need.
A three cent donation provides vitamins to protect a child from blindness and eighty cents provides the vaccine to protect a child from the measles. In years where major tragedies have occurred, such as after the Tsunami in Asia or Hurricane Katrina, special funds are created to donate the money from Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF to benefit these areas.
How to Participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Children who participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF go door-to-door collecting money to help support UNICEF projects. The money is often collected at the same time as the children collect Halloween candy. After Halloween, the money is sent to the UNICEF office. Many elementary schools in the United States participate in the program and collect the money and send it in on behalf of the students. This year, children can also use Coinstar centers to donate the coins that they collect.
On Halloween, children can use either the free orange and black cardboard containers made by UNICEF or they can create their own collection container. Official boxes are often available from schools, but are also available at Hallmark stores and through UNICEF’s website. UNICEF also provides children with printouts, stickers, and other useful templates to assist in the creation of their collection boxes.
In addition, UNICEF provides a number of activities to help involve children throughout the month of October. Ideas for fundraiser include Halloween parties, UNICEF walks, and education campaigns. Teachers can also find a variety of activities to include in their lesson plans to help explain the mission of UNICEF and encourage their students to participate in the program.
 |
