Canadian Children Celebrate the Nationwide Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Campaign

Hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren across the country mobilize to help their peers in Africa go to school

The 2008 Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign is now in full swing across the country, marked today by a special Halloween celebration hosted by the Canadian Children's Museum in Gatineau, Quebec. In the days leading up to Halloween, hundreds of thousands of children from every province and territory will take part in the over half-century-old Canadian tradition of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, including a wide range of similarly colourful and educational activities in schools and communities across the country.

In Gatineau, students from Ottawa's Elmwood School and Gatineau's l'Ecole Vieux Verger dressed in Halloween costumes took part in a symbolic Walk for Water, one of numerous such walks being held today and in the coming days across Canada.
Joined by well-known actor and UNICEF Quebec Ambassador Catherine Brunet, and award-winning child activist, young author, and National UNICEF Child Representative Bilaal Rajan, over 50 schoolchildren participated in a first-hand learning experience of one of the significant barriers preventing many African girls and boys from attending school - the daily chore of walking to fetch their family's supply of clean water.

"Children and young people can have a major impact on their world," said Catherine Brunet, who led the event and engaged the young participants in a dialogue on the power of education, as she herself has witnessed in Burkina Faso. "Seeing the progress achieved by providing access to quality basic education for millions of children has made me realize how easy it is to contribute to something wonderful. The participation of children and young people through this extraordinary initiative of kids helping kids has changed my life. I am so proud of being part of this event with you, and I say loud and clear that we can change the world!"

Bilaal Rajan, who co-led the event, has visited UNICEF-supported education programmes in Malawi and seen the smiles on children's faces when they see their dreams become a reality: being able to learn, socialize and develop their potential thanks to the contributions of young people. "Every child, with the help of their family, their teacher, their school and their community, can make a lasting difference in the lives of their peers around the world," said Rajan. "I encourage you to consider what you, your friends, the students in your school - and all young Canadians - can do to help other kids live their dreams. Together, this Halloween season, we can help improve the lives of children like us in Malawi and Rwanda."

Schools for Africa
More than one million children in Malawi and Rwanda will benefit from the Schools for Africa programme - a joint initiative established by UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and the Hamburg Society for the Promotion of Democracy and International Law - which UNICEF Canada is supporting for the third consecutive year with funds raised through the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. Through the Schools for Africa programme, UNICEF helps increase access to quality basic education by building new schools, repairing and refurbishing existing schools, providing schools with clean water and sanitation facilities, and training teachers.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Since the UNICEF Halloween campaign was launched in 1955, Canadian children have raised more than $96 million to help save and enhance the lives of children in need around the world. What started years ago with children carrying the famous UNICEF orange collection box has now evolved into more creative, fun and meaningful opportunities for them to both learn and help other children throughout the month of October.

As of 2006, the collection box is no longer part of the campaign, but the tradition of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF continues to be the most popular and engaging Halloween fundraising activity undertaken annually by children and schools across Canada. New this year, children can now build their own online fundraising pages and all Canadians can contribute directly through a secure online donation page at www.trickortreatforunicef.

Amazing activities across the country

Over the years, the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, while still being driven by and for children, has become a family affair and a community-based annual celebration. Adults and young people alike are joining in this nationwide mobilization of Canadians to help children around the world. Pumpkin-carving contests engaging local artists and media personalities, pumpkin art tours, a reading marathon, challenges to teachers and principals, and Halloween parties organized by professional and staff associations and social clubs are just a few of the innovative school and community fundraising activities being organized to help UNICEF Canada provide thousands of children in Malawi and Rwanda with quality basic education.
Exciting prizes available for participating children and schools
In addition to generously hosting today's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF celebration, the Canadian Children's Museum is offering two exciting prizes to the top fundraising schools in Ottawa and Gatineau: two unbelievable Overnight Adventures at the museum.
Other great prizes being offered to reward participating children and schools include:

The top English-speaking fundraising school in Canada will win an exclusive visit from UNICEF Canada Ambassadors Ben Mulroney and Farley Flex, of Canadian Idol, who will help judge its school's talent contest. Participating French-speaking schools in Quebec will be eligible to win a number of fun and educational prizes, thanks to Ramdam, Archambault, the Montreal Botanical Garden, and the Plains of Abraham (for schools in the Quebec City region). Top fundraising schools in Ontario will win a pizza party from Pizza Nova. And students who raise funds online are eligible to win a family dinner out from Swiss Chalet and book prize packs from Scholastic.
UNICEF Canada is also grateful for the generous support of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF partners: DHL, for providing in-kind shipping of Trick-or-Treat school materials; Slaight Communications, and Astral Media in Quebec, for the broadcasting of public service announcements promoting the campaign; and Cadbury, for its in-store, on-pack and funding support.
This Halloween season, UNICEF Canada calls on all Canadians - children and adults - to join in and contribute generously to the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign to help give the gift of education to children in Malawi and Rwanda.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world's leader for children, working in 156 countries and territories to save, protect and enhance the lives of girls and boys. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, promotes quality basic education, protects children from violence, exploitation and AIDS, and is the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries. A global leader in emergencies with six decades of on-the-ground experience, UNICEF saves and rebuilds children's lives in natural disasters and conflict. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, schools, associations and governments.
For more information on Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF events in your region, or to arrange interviews or photo opportunities, please contact: