UNICEF trick or treat helps kids

Started in 1950, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is one of those original kids-helping-kids ideas.

It started with an enterprising group of kids in Philadelphia who decided to go door to door on Halloween night with milk cartons to collect funds for kids left vulnerable by World War II. They collected $17 that night.

Last year, kids with families, schools and communities raised more than $4 million and have raised $136 million to date.\

For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in 156 countries to address issues that affect children. UNICEF uses the money of its youngest fund-raisers to provide clean water, health care, food and education to children in 156 countries and territories.

What can UNICEF do with a box full of change? Here are some examples:

• $1.20 provides protection to a mother and her newborn against tetanus.

• $3 provides a warm blanket to a kid in an emergency.

• $17 immunizes a kid from six killer diseases.

• $176 buys school supplies for 80 kids.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has now become a monthlong activity. Kids are encouraged to raise funds by going door to door on days other than Halloween, as well as planning other fund-raisers with family and friends. Call 800-4UNICEF or log on to unicefusa.org/trickortreat to order your box and get ready to collect funds to help children around the world.

If you are trick or treating, UNICEF offers these suggestions to make the experience both safe and fun:

• Discuss with your parents, guardian or adult chaperone what time you will be home.

• Trick or treat only in neighborhoods with which you are familiar.

• Carry a slip of paper with your name, address and phone number in case you get separated from your group.

• Avoid wearing masks when walking house to house, and make sure your costume falls no lower than your ankles to avoid tripping and falling.

• Remain highly visible. Carry a flashlight or glow stick, or wear reflective tape.

• Use crosswalks, look both ways when crossing the street, and do not cross from behind parked cars.

• Approach only houses that are lit, and never go into strangers' homes.