Do you remember the orange boxes? You know – the orange boxes that kids in costume would carry around on Halloween and pop donated coins into? In case you didn’t know it, those UNICEF boxes are still around, and they look almost the same as they did when I was 7 years old.

As this Halloween approaches, it’s not too late for children to join the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program. It is a wonderful way to start your child on a path of giving. The very idea that a child would opt to raise money for impoverished children around the world rather than get free candy for themselves is, in and of itself, proof that charity is never lost on children.

And, after 58 years and $140 million dollars raised, the little orange box has grown up and entered the electronic age.

This year marks the first year that children can create a collection campaign on-line. Together with a team, or as individuals, children can go to unicefusa to register. Kids can create their own customized collection page, and then send e-cards to their friends and family asking them to donate on-line.

Children who want to carry the orange box around the neighborhood still can, of course. It may be too late to get boxes shipped, but children can still go to the website and download a canister wrapper. Or, you can pick some boxes up at Hallmark Gold Crown stores, and Pier 1 Imports.

For the first time ever, the joy of Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF is not only for the young. Adults can also be a part of this historically kid-centered fundraiser. In addition to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF pages on Facebook and MySpace, now you can text your donations. It’s called “Text or Treat” and it couldn’t be easier – text the word “TOT” to 864233, which, or course, stands for UNICEF, for every $5 donation you’d like to make to UNICEF. College students can get involved in a campus challenge that will match funds, and there’s even a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF online store at which you can purchase clothing to support the cause.

Just in case you don’t know where the money goes, here’s some background about UNICEF. It is, according to the organization, the world's leading international children's organization. UNICEF advocates work in 150 countries around the globe to keep children alive by addressing issues about nutrition, clean water, protection and emergency response. Check out unicefusa to learn more about UNICEF or Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

I carried the little orange box around with me on Halloween when I was a kid. This year, I hope to encourage my children to do the same. And, at the very least, I think I’ll put my cell phone to good use and make a mobile donation. This year, UNICEF makes it easy for everyone, and anyone, to help. Where will you begin?


All The Write Words