Celebrating 55-Years of Heroic Achievement By Children

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is gearing-up for the launch of its Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2005 campaign, which will recognize the annual event's emerald-year by celebrating real-life world heroes.

In the 55-years since its birth, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has evolved from a traditional door-to-door collection on Halloween into a month-long nationwide program that has educated, inspired and empowered children to collect more than $127 million. Armed with the trademark orange collection boxes and supported by educators and community leaders, American children have become real-life World Heroes by saving the lives of their peers in far-away places.

"When given the right tools and motivation, kids can be effective and generous as advocates and fundraisers," said President of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Charles J. Lyons. "It is no small task to learn about an issue, and then set-about to raise funds especially when you are still in grade school and it must all be done within one month's time. The commitment and creativity that is demonstrated by kids is remarkable and deserving of praise."

Of the $4.6 million raised by kids around the country in last year's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, the majority of the money was raised by kids working from within their school, religious or service group.

Multi-platinum recording artist and UNICEF National Ambassador Clay Aiken will act as the National Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Spokesperson for the 2005 campaign. As this year's national spokesperson, Aiken will encourage kids and adults to get involved by raising funds for vulnerable children in other parts of the world. Aiken was appointed a National Ambassador in 2004.

For the second year, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF online will include games and an innovative online program designed to engage kids and adults in virtual Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF. There is also a new online resource, http://www.teachunicef.org/, which was created to help teachers and youth group leaders engage students as active global citizens by learning about UNICEF's efforts worldwide. The Web site includes information on donations and their impact, descriptions of how UNICEF operates during emergencies, perspectives from UNICEF staff, "audio blogs" of teachers and students who contributed to the relief efforts and "discussion starters" for teachers to engage students.

The following retailers will be distributing the traditional orange Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box:

  * IKEA will distribute boxes in all U.S. stores throughout the month of
    October.
  * Pier 1 Imports will distribute boxes at over 1,000 stores in the U.S.
    throughout the month of October.

For the ninth consecutive year donations can be made through Coinstar, Inc., which owns and operates a network of self-service coin counting machines in major supermarket chains nationwide. Coinstar accepts direct donations through its network of supermarket-based machines year round.

Boxes and free educational materials will be available in August and can be ordered by calling 1-800-4UNICEF or by logging on to http://www.unicefusa.org/. Hi-resolution Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF images are available for media to download at http://www.unicefusa.org/files.

About UNICEF

Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children in 157 countries through immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. For more information about UNICEF or to make a donation, please visit http://www.unicefusa.org/ or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

Source: U.S. Fund For UNICEF

CONTACT: Chris Gioia, +1-212-922-2517, cgioia@unicefusa.org, or Kini
Schoop, +1-212-880-9132, kschoop@unicefusa.org, both for UNICEF

Web site: http://www.unicefusa.org/
http://www.unicefusa.org/files
http://www.teachunicef.org/