Trick Or Treat For UNICEF | A Better Halloween Option for Children (and Moms!)

Year after year during Halloween, our schedules are filled to the brim with parties, activities, and events—and with each one comes the thing that all mothers dread—a houseful of unwanted Halloween candy that either sits everywhere uneaten for weeks (sometimes even months), or candy wrappers lying around on every table or shelf, or an unexpected moment where a child has become ill from eating too much candy at once.

This year, I was determined to find an alternative. Something that would be more about giving than receiving while keeping my home candy-free.

Luckily, UNICEF has a special campaign that was exactly what I was looking for.

. .

Trick or Treat for UNICEF is a program designed to encourage kids of all ages to help raise funds for their peers in developing countries. By including the special UNICEF donation box in door-to-door on Halloween night or participating in other festive fundraising activities, funds can be raised for children who need it most.

Quick Facts

Trick or Treat for UNICEF is one of the longest-running youth volunteer initiatives in America. For 62 years, it has helped motivate kids to become active global citizens while teaching the fundamental value of helping others.
Trick or Treat for UNICEF encourages kids of all ages to help raise funds for their peers in developing countries by going door-to-door on Halloween night or participating in other festive fundraising activities.
Through Trick or Treat for UNICEF, more than $167 million has been raised, providing children in 190 countries and territories with much-needed health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more.
In 1950, during the aftermath of World War II, the original Kids Helping Kids Campaign® launched as girls and boys across the nation collected coins to aid children still affected by the war. Today, the mission to save and improve children’s lives is more important than ever.

The moment that I learned about this program, I knew that it would be a great way to get my children involved in giving in a fun way, while also ensuring that my home would not be overflowing with loads of candy.

Definitely a “Win-Win” for all!

The Trick or Treat for UNICEF packet I received included the special designed collection boxes as well as a fundraising calendar and other items to keep track of our progress..

I adore these collection boxes — so very cute!!

Close-up of the front of the boxes — there are a total of 6 designs children can choose from

The back of each box gives information of how funds raised are put to use, as well as additional ways to donate

We started using the boxes during the weekend at neighborhood block parties and Trunk-or-Treat events. Many people–like I was–were thrilled to learn that there was a better Halloween option for their children! On the day of Halloween, we will share the program information and ways to donate at school classroom parties during the day, and carry the collection boxes in lieu of Trick-or-Treat candy bags in the evening.

The awesome part that I love about the Trick or Treat for UNICEF program is that in addition to the convenient options of donating via text message or online, the monies from the collection boxes can be submitted at any Coinstar Center nationwide by selecting ‘UNICEF’ on the options screen. They can also be mailed as well.

My children are so happy that we are participating in the Trick or Treat for UNICEF program this year! They told me that they actually prefer it to getting candy (woo-hoo!), and feel proud to be making a difference for millions of kids in need all over the world.

To Learn more about the Trick or Treat for UNICEF program and ways that you can help spread the word or donate:

Text the word TOT to 864233 to make a $10 donation
Visit the Trick or Treat for UNICEF website for fundraising tools and information
Connect with UNICEFUSA on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube
Share your Halloween photos on Instagram and Pinterest using the hastag: #ToT4UNICEF

I am a proud member of the Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health.