When my youngest son got sick with cancer, my oldest was quick to say that he wanted to do something for him to raise money for his care and the other children on the Pediatric Oncology floor. His idea for the summer was to start a lemonade stand and sell different flavors of frozen lemonade. I loved his idea and was so proud that he took a moment to not only think about his little brother but to also think about the other kids he saw. He is a natural helper so the UNICEF Trick or Treat program is right up his alley.
Our household isn’t really sold on Halloween. It’s an annual debate between my husband and I about how much we should let the kids do and as much as we’re not into the “celebration” of the trivialities of the day, we recognize how much joy it brings our kids to dress up. Shoot, my oldest doesn’t wait to dress up for Halloween. I get my money’s worth for his costumes – he dons a mask and cape monthly.
The UNICEF Trick or Treat program is a happy medium. He can dress up in his costume of choice and raise money for peers in developing countries. The program has been running for 62 years and “has helped motivate kids to become active global citizens while teaching the fundamental value of helping others.” What a productive way to trick or treat and an easy way to show kids how they can raise money for others. I have a great idea to help my son be successful in this fundraising activity: work through our church and recruit some other kids to help in the efforts. We might even get that frozen lemonade stand up and running as well.
If you’d like to motivate your child as well and get them trick or treating with UNICEF, click here to see how your family can participate. Hopefully, this will squash the debate in our house about Halloween and change it into a meaningful giving-holiday instead of a cavity-filled receiving one.
Thanks Tawanna! I don’t have any kids but this is a really good idea! I’ll be sure to pass this on to my mother-friends!