By Chikanma Okoisor, Key Club International trustee 

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is not just about collecting candy. This year, your participation will directly support Start Strong: Zambia, an initiative that focuses on giving young kids a better start in life.  

The money you collect will change lives and create brighter futures for those who need it most — helping to build nurturing, stimulating community and family environments for young children in Zambia. 

This year, Key Club International has set an ambitious fundraising goal: US$150,000. Imagine being part of a movement that has raised over US$8 million since the partnership with UNICEF USA started in 1994! Your efforts can inspire others to get involved and show that even small actions can lead to significant change.  

How can you Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF?
Here are some of the ways you and your club can participate: 

  • Hold a club fundraiser. Ideas include a spooky bake sale, a haunted house experience, a costume day at school or a pumpkin sale/carving. Also consider a scary movie night. Another idea: a pumpkin/costume voting contest, which can be done virtually as well. 
  • Traditional door-to-door collection. With the classic method, you collect donations in the iconic orange boxes on Halloween. When you are trick-or-treating, explain to neighbors that you’re also collecting for UNICEF and that their contributions can help kids worldwide. Your club can order the iconic Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF boxes through the Kiwanis Family Store. The boxes are free, but clubs pay for the shipping.
  • Virtual trick-or-treating. For those who prefer a digital approach, the orange boxes come with QR codes that donors can scan to make digital contributions. You can also share the Start Strong: Zambia webpage, which includes an online giving form. These methods allow: 
  1. Contactless donations. 
  2. The ability to share your fundraising efforts on social media. 
  3. Participation from anywhere, even if you can’t go door-to-door. 

How do you donate funds? 

After fundraising, follow these steps to ensure your donations reach UNICEF USA through Key Club and your club is properly acknowledged. 

  1. Collect all donations and convert cash to a check or money order. 
  2. Make the check payable to Kiwanis Children’s Fund. 
  3. Complete the gift form from Key Club International. 
  4. Send the check and completed gift form to:

    Kiwanis Children’s Fund 

    P.O. Box 6457 – Dept #286 

    Indianapolis, IN 46206 USA 

    ATTN: Trick-or-Treat 

  5. Include “Trick-or-Treat” and your club number on the check’s memo line. 

Send donations directly to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, not UNICEF USA. This ensures accurate tracking of money raised by Kiwanis family clubs. 

Your club can also donate online. 

Thanks for all you do to change children’s lives. I hope you’ll add to your service by participating in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF!