Trick-or-treating can offer sweeter rewards than collecting candy. The money that is traditionally collected for UNICEF can save the lives of children around the world.
The Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign began 56 years ago when a group of American kids collected money for children suffering in Europe as a result of World War II. Since 1950, supporters have collected over $132 million. This year's spokeswoman, actress and UNICEF Ambassador Sarah Jessica Parker, collected donations when she was a child.
Last year's campaign encouraged schools nationwide to compete for the most money raised, resulting in donations of over $5 million. The winners of this year's challenge, sponsored by Procter & Gamble, will each have a $125,000 donation made in their honor, a photo appearance on the Cartoon Network and receive a special T-shirt. To enter, children simply send in their donations between Oct. 1 and Dec. 30, 2006.
Just follow these four easy steps:
1. Learn what a big difference you can make with UNICEF by visiting unicefusa.org/trickortreat.
2. Create your own Halloween fund-raiser. You can find ideas and inspiration online.
3. Collect donations in your Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box. You can order or pick up a free orange box. For 10 or more boxes, order online or call (800) 4UNICEF.
Individual boxes can be picked up at Pier 1 Imports, Pier 1 Kids and select Hallmark Gold Crown stores as of Oct. 1, 2006.
4. Donate your funds. There are three ways to make a donation--by Coinstar machine, credit card or mail.
? Coinstar machines. For the past nine years, participants in the program have been able to empty the coins collected in their orange boxes into Coinstar machines and donate it.
The machine counts change quickly and prints a receipt for the full amount of the tax-deductible contribution. Send the receipt with your name and address and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will mail back an official acknowledgement.
? By check. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
? The mailing address for all Coinstar receipts, checks and money is:
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
P.O. Box 3662
New York, NY 10164-2629
? By credit card-donations can be made online by visiting unicefusa.org/trickortreat or by calling (800) 4UNICEF.
Collecting for UNICEF is easier than you might imagine and many schools compete to see which school can raise the most money.
Author: Stacey Moore
Author Bio:
Products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA and DOE. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov. Using energy efficiently at home can be as easy as changing a light bulb.
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