August 17, 2009

Nearly 10 million children die every year due to preventable and treatable causes. Others facing such dilemmas need your help. The Trick-of Treat for UNICEF campaign is one effective way to provide help.

I grew up in small rural towns of Ohio. Not having a car to drive and lack of public transportation made it difficult for me to get from place to place. My parents drove me to school. My friends picked me up to go to the movies. My violin instructor came to my house to give lessons.

United Methodists contributed more through the Trick-or-Treat campaign in the UNICEF cause to save more children’s lives than any other organization.

It drove me crazy. The reality of the situation, though, was that I was completely dependent on other people.

This was also the same in my church life. My family mostly lived in parsonages, so I could walk to church. Participating in activities was a different matter, however. This was the case for most of my years in youth group. We, as youths, did not have the physical means to fully participate in activities.

I am reminded of the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand in John 6:1-13. Reading the passage, it’s easy to see the roles that each character played. The little boy offered five loaves of bread and two small fish with giving hands. Jesus gave thanks with blessing hands. The disciples passed out the food with distributing hands.

But who gave the boy the bread and fish? I wonder about the providing hands.

I can imagine that the boy’s mother or father prepared lunch so that the boy could go out for the day and not be hungry. I can imagine the boy’s parent thinking about his friends, some of whom may not have brought lunch. I can imagine the parent packing more than the boy could eat by himself. I can imagine the boy’s mother or father, whom he was completely dependent upon, smiling proudly, watching him walk away and hoping that he would remember all that he had been taught.

I am convinced that the boy was bound to do great things, to be part of Jesus’ miracle. This was only possible with the help and guidance of his parents.

The fall season is rapidly approaching. Sunday school children across the United States will begin to collect money in the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign.

The United Methodist General Board of Church & Society has had a long-standing collaboration with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Through the Trick-or-Treat campaign, United Methodists contributed in the UNICEF cause to save more children’s lives than any other organization. In 2008, United Methodists across the United States raised close to $200,000. This year, we have another opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives all across the world. Vulnerable children are willing and ready. But they are dependent on us. Will our children respond as generously as that young boy did when Jesus called? It is us up to us to help and guide them to make a difference.

Editor’s note: You can order free orange collection boxes and other materials to get started at Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, or call 800-FOR-KIDS.

For more information or questions regarding United Methodist participation in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, call (212) 682-3633, ext. 3106.