NEW YORK (October 14, 2001) — The U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced today that it will apply the proceeds of its 2001 "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" campaign to help Afghan children.
"The President asked kids in America to help kids in Afghanistan," said Charles J. Lyons, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "This year, we will show our solidarity by designating the money raised through 'Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF' to UNICEF programs for Afghan children."
In spite of the current chaos, UNICEF maintains a working distribution network in Afghanistan, having operated in the country since 1949. During the past few weeks, UNICEF has brought in enough supplies to serve the needs of 1.25 million children and women via donkey caravans, truck convoys and cargo planes.
Specifically, UNICEF has already provided Afghan children with vital goods and services such as therapeutic feeding; clothing and shoes; blankets; medicines; basic immunizations; educational materials; family survival kits (utensils, tenting, cooking materials); and water purification tablets.
U.S. Rotary Clubs and the UN Foundation are supportive of this year's "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" campaign. Richard D. King, President of Rotary International said, "I support President Bush's appeal to America's children to help the children of Afghanistan. I urge the 7,500 Rotary Clubs of the United States to support the 'Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF' campaign, which will provide much needed help to Afghan children, and also enable health workers to continue the program to immunize these children against polio."
The "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" program is a longstanding tradition of American children reaching out to save the lives of children around the world. For 51 years, generations of children have raised awareness and funds on behalf of their global peers.
"President Bush issued a call last night, and we are responding," said Lyons. "UNICEF is well positioned to translate donation dollars into immediate relief for the children of Afghanistan. With a half-century of experience in Afghanistan, we have the infrastructure to make that possible."
The "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" tradition began in Philadelphia in 1950 with a youth group who collected $17 in decorated milk cartons on Halloween to help children overseas. Since then, the program has raised more than $110 million and grown to encompass the entire United States. Last year, the campaign raised nearly $4 million, all by kids. This year, the proceeds from the campaign will go to aid children in Afghanistan.
Free "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" collection boxes and education materials are available now at UNICEF USA, or by calling 1(800) 252-KIDS. Online and phone orders must be placed by October 17 to ensure timely delivery. Throughout October, collection boxes are available at all Pier 1 Imports, IKEA stores and Sears Portrait Studios.
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF works for the survival, protection and development of children worldwide through education, advocacy and fundraising. Created in 1947, it is the oldest of 37 national committees around the world that support UNICEF's mission.
UNICEF USA Kids
For those of you in Canada you can get information and updates at the UNICEF Canada site.
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NEW YORK (October 14, 2001) — The U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced today that it will apply the proceeds of its 2001 "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" campaign to help Afghan children.