Trick-or-Treat for Unicef

You already know that Halloween is a big deal in our home. This year my wife decided to start a new Halloween tradition: Trick-or-Treat for Unicef. We will be collecting donations for Unicef while we trick-or-treat.

I’ve never really known anything about this, but it sounds wonderful. By emptying the change in her purse ($3.76), my wife provided a child with the following:

1. A pencil
2. Paper Pad Ink pen
3. Saved the lives of 11 children (by providing 11 packets of Oral Rehydration Salts which is used to treat dehydration due to drinking contaminated water.)

If we only raise $4 we can purchase a large wool blanket. If we raise $35 we can provide pencils and books for 50 children so they can participate in school. If we raise $150 we can buy a hand pump for a village well to provide safe, clean water.

A one-time donation of $17 (yes, seventeen) we can purchase life-time vaccines for one child, immunizing that child against the six leading child-killing diseases (measles, mumps, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and tuberculosis.)

So while we are out having fun and celebrating, we will also be thinking about other children who are starving and dying. It doesn’t take much; just some loose change. Unlike other fundraisers, where they guilt trip people into donating, we will simply be saying: “Trick-or-Treat for Unicef.” Those in the know, who will also see us carrying our little orange Unicef boxes, can give if they like. For those who ask, we will explain what we are doing and offer them the chance. For those who don’t ask, we will move on and wish them a Happy Halloween. You can also give online if you prefer. If you'd like to join in, you can pick up Unicef boxes at Pier 1.

It’s a new family Halloween tradition. My wife’s good idea.