Trick or Treat for UNICEF Lands in the Philippines!

by Martine de Luna

On October 6, 2012, UNICEF’s “Trick or Treat for Unicef” was launched at the Mega Atrium, SM Megamall. The Philippine launch coincided with the 20th year celebration of National Children’s Month in the Philippines, and was ushered in with fun games, face painting, balloon-making and superhero cosplay. Children and parents signed up for the Trick-or-Treat campaign, to receive their free kits, which they can use to help collect donations for the benefit of disadvantaged children in the Philippines and worldwide.

What is the Trick or Treat for UNICEF?

The Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began when, in 1950, a Pennsylvanian minister and his wife were handing out treats to kids in their neighborhood. The minister, Rev. Clyde Allison, and his wife Mary Emma, felt compelled to incorporate something redemptive into the trick or treat tradition. Eventually, they along with their congregation began going door-to-door, collecting coins for UNICEF using hand-painted milk cartons.

The movement caught on, and gained national recognition, so much so that in 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a declaration proclaiming Halloween as National UNICEF Day.

2012 marks Trick or Treat for UNICEF’s debut here in the Philippines. More than 60 years since the tradition began, the campaign has raised over $167 million worldwide, all going towards championing children’s causes and charities around the globe.

Scenes from the Trick or Treat for UNICER Launch

The Trick or Treat for UNICEF Superheroes Launch last Saturday was an action-packed afternoon of games, songs, arts and crafts and fun. Special guests included Mr. Tomoo Hozumi UNICEF’s country representative and Ms. Daphne Paez UNICEF’s Special Advocate for Children, who each shared their messages on behalf of UNICEF.

How to participate

Encourage your children to participate in this worthwhile activity and add a redemptive element to the trick-or-treat tradition. Registration is easy: Those who are interested to participate in the campaign can visit the UNICEF booth at SM Megamall, EDSA – Mandaluyong City. The UNICEF booth will be open until October 27, or until supplies last of the orange collection boxes. Collections of the orange boxes will be from November 2 to 4 in the Trick or Treat for UNICEF booths in the Mega Atrium in MegaMall.

Even without the Trick or Treat for UNICEF kit, families can still send their donations through the SM Bill Payment Counter in all SM Department Stores. You may also make a direct deposit at Metrobank, to UNICEF current account 066-706631209-3. (If sending donations through bank, you will be required to fill up a receiving a form, which must be faxed to 901.0195 or 729.4529 or scanned and emailed to psfrmanila@unicef.org.