Before college, even before high school, our Halloweens were filled with Disney Channel movies, candy and ultimately trick or treating. Fast forward about 10 years later, and things have changed. While the costume parades and class parties are long gone, there is one thing Penn State students can do to relive their childhood: Trick or Treating for UNICEF.
A nonprofit organization, UNICEF is a 68-year-old branch of the United Nations dedicated to reducing preventable child mortality. In third world countries 17,000 children die a day from preventable causes, which include receiving simple vaccinations or safe drinking water. While Happy Valley doesn’t normally apply to these statistics, students can still be aware of the situation plaguing so many children and families by helping Penn State’s UNICEF ambassadors.
With a variety of students, international and national, Penn State’s campus initiative for UNICEF has fundraised for various causes, including selling bracelets to help the Gaza crisis to their annual Trick or Treat for UNICEF. Vice-President of UNICEF Penn State, Caroline Suni describes the process as simply trick or treating around State College.
Instead of asking for candy, trick or treaters will receive orange boxes and ask for donations. Suni suggests that all students interested in going trick or treating or those who are invested in a philanthropic club should do it, saying that “it’s a lot of fun, people still give you candy. A lot of organizations have service points, and it’s a really simple thing to do from a club stand point. We give you all the materials, and it’s easy to set up.” Suni even says it’s great idea for international students who have never gone trick or treating before and want to experience an American tradition.
For those who aren’t too interested in trick or treating, you can still get involved in the club. Meeting at 8 p.m. every Wednesday at 105 Osmond, students work together to help significant problems plaguing the globe. For more information on how to get involved with Trick or Treating for UNICEF, this Thursday from 6-8 p.m. visit http://sites.psu.edu/unicefpennstate or email Penn State UNICEF members at unicefpennstate@gmail.com.
Photo provided by Caroline Suni
.@ValleyMag on Trick or Treat for UNICEF http://t.co/YXHBcNlIEi
RT @ValleyMag: Who needs all that candy when you can trick-or-treat instead for a good cause with @UNICEFpennstate? http://t.co/3TIG0XzeAo
Who needs all that candy when you can trick-or-treat instead for a good cause with @UNICEFpennstate? http://t.co/3TIG0XzeAo