Kid-created boxes launch first-ever Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box design contest

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Aug 20, 2012, 09:00 ET

Free collection boxes and fundraising kits are available online at trickortreatforunicef.org

NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF's flagship Trick-or-Treat campaign, which has raised more than $167 million for children in need around the world, is getting a new look this year. For the first time in the campaign's 62-year history kids will have a chance to design their own collection boxes. Original designs for the "Create-a-Character" contest may be submitted online at trickortreatforunicef.org. Winning designs in three categories will become part of a limited edition collection for next year's campaign.

The box design contest will run from Sept. 1 through Oct. 26.

"Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF helps kids, parents and educators celebrate Halloween by raising money and learning about children in other parts of the world," said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. "This year, we want to tap into children's imaginations by letting them bring their own creativity to the traditional Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF boxes."

Original box designs may be submitted online at trickortreatforunicef.org beginning in September. A winning design from each category (children ages 4-8, 9-12, and 13 years and older) will be chosen and announced on Halloween, Oct. 31.

Participants who prefer a finished box have new choices this year, too. The traditional Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box has been given a new look, with six spooky new character boxes – a monster, black cat, princess, pumpkin, vampire and a witch. Fundraising kits containing the character boxes, the blank collection box for design and new educational resources may be ordered online with free shipping at trickortreatforunicef.org or by calling 1-800-FOR-KIDS while supplies last.

Beginning in 1953, volunteers wore armbands featuring a silhouette of a child drinking milk and carried small orange boxes. The collection boxes have become an iconic symbol of the organization as millions of children have gone door-to-door each Halloween to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is grateful for the support of our National Sponsors Key Club International and Starcom MediaVest Group; along with Promotional Supporters American Airlines and Coinstar, Inc.

National Sponsors

Key Club International continues its support for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. To date, the longstanding partnership between the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and Key Club International has raised more than $5 million for UNICEF. Key Club International, a student-led service leadership program of Kiwanis International, is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. All Kiwanis-family raised funds through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF will support The Eliminate Project, which seeks to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.

For the first time this year, MediaVest – part of Starcom MediaVest Group and one of the leading, full-service media specialist companies – lends its support for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF through an integrated national media campaign. Since 2008, MediaVest has been a proud promotional supporter of the UNICEF Tap Project, a national campaign to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF to improve access to clean water for the world's children.

Promotional Supporters

For the fourth year in a row, American Airlines supports Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF through UNICEF's Change for Good program on American Airlines. From October 24-31, American Airlines Flight Attendant volunteers, known as Champions for Children, will carry Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF collection boxes for donations of foreign and domestic currency from travelers on selected international flights. American's customers can also donate their unused change in special Halloween-themed collection boxes at Admirals Club® lounges and Flagship Lounges©.

Now in its 15th year, Coinstar® helps make Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF easy for participants of all ages. For 365 days a year, participants of this grassroots initiative can quickly empty their orange collection boxes into over 11,000 Coinstar kiosks in participating supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchants, and financial institutions across the U.S. Coinstar owns and operates a network of self-service coin counting machines in retail locations throughout the U.S., Canada, the UK, Puerto Rico and Ireland.

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to save and improve children's lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF