Consider this your annual reminder from us about Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF. If it's never something you've done before, the premise is that your kids can ask for more on Halloween than just another sugary treat, on behalf of kids who need a lot more than a mini box of Junior Mints.
Just like I remember doing when I was a kid, UNICEF makes it so easy for kids to collect donations as they go door-to-door. Since they've been around for sixty years and have a name synonymous with Halloween, I know that most of my neighbors will have no problem donating without my kids having to spend five minutes trying to explain what the charity is.
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While Unicef is great, there's also something to be said for having kids donate a bit closer to home. Local charities often have similar programs. In NYC, City Harvest has similar boxes, and the kids know that they're helping their own community. While helping anywhere is good, I think that it resonates more with kids when it's in their own back yard.
As a child, I would "trick-or-treat for UNICEF" each year. However, as the parent of a child adopted from another country, I no longer support the organization because of their negative stance on international adoption. I would encourage anyone interested in helping children worldwide to research the issue and make up your own mind. Thanks.
All good ideas KidzVuz, thanks. We love our kids coming to understand the idea of helping, whoever it is that's in need.