Trick or Treat for UNICEF

Save the Children

Dear United Methodists,

Every October, we have the opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of children around the world; and thanks to the more than $173,000 raised by United Methodists in 2007, UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is once again able to do so.

Over the years, the long-standing collaboration between the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF has allowed UNICEF to save more children’s lives than any other organization. Together, we thank you.

Unfortunately, the reality still exists: 25,000 children are still dying unnecessarily every day. To put this into perspective, a child dies every three seconds from a preventable and easily treatable cause.

Fortunately, there is hope. Through partnerships like that with each of you, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will not stop until there is a day when no more lives are lost due to preventable causes, and the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church will continue to work towards that goal.

Together, we can work towards the day when no child is killed by violence, lack of safe shelter or exploitation and abuse. Together, we can ensure that rights of every child are upheld and respected. Together, we can again join the efforts to make this future a reality by empowering the youth of our communities to join the longest-running youth volunteer initiative in America – Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

As this year’s United Nations Sunday celebrates the 60^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we must not overlook the rights of the child. Each one of us has a role to play in ensuring that every child enjoys a full and complete childhood. Please join the U.S. Fund for UNICEF this season and encourage children to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Show them and the rest of the world that we believe in zero – the day when zero children die from preventable and easily treatable causes.

 To order free orange collection boxes, create your own customized fundraising page, and learn about new and alternative ways to make Halloween count, please visit www.unicefusa.org/trickortreat or call 800-FOR-KIDS. For more information or questions regarding United Methodist participation, call 212-682-3633 ext. 3106 or visit www.umc-gbcs.org.

Thank you for supporting Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and for helping us do whatever it takes to save a child.