This Halloween, kids can be superheroes

MANILA, Philippines - Going trick-or-treating this Halloween?  Instead of dressing up as their favorite ghouls, kids can be superheroes with UNICEF’s trick-or-treat fete.

Now in its third year, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF empowers kids to be superheroes by collecting funds in a special Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF box as they go door-to-door this Halloween. Since 2012, Filipino children and families have raised P750,000 to support UNICEF programs for vulnerable children in the Philippines and worldwide.

In partnership with Toy Kingdom, this year’s campaign focuses on emergency preparedness. The Philippines is one of the most high-risk countries in the world for natural disasters, and many of those most vulnerable are children. For instance, of the more than 14 million Filipinos affected by super typhoon Yolanda in November, 2013, half were children. Proceeds from the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF will help ensure that essential supplies like water and hygiene kits, education kits, and temporary learning and play spaces reach children immediately after a disaster strikes.

“UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to fund its programs for children,” said Michelle Borromeo, head fundraiser at UNICEF Philippines. “No matter how small, every contribution counts and helps save children’s lives.”

To participate in the campaign, children — with their parent or guardian — can register and claim their free donation kit at any Toy Kingdom branch nationwide until Oct. 31 or until supplies last. All donations can be turned over to any SM Bill Payment Counter located at SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore locations nationwide.

Dubbed as the original Kids Helping Kids campaign, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began in 1950 in the US, when Philadelphia schoolchildren went from house to house on Halloween, collecting money in decorated milk cartons to help children in need around the world. They raised a grand total of $17 — and kicked off a campaign that has since raised more than $170 million worldwide to help the poorest children receive medicine, better nutrition, safe water, education, and emergency relief.

To learn more, visit www.unicef.ph.