Five days of food for a starving child. A year’s worth of clean water. Measles and malaria protection. It is remarkable the good that come from donating to United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, or UNICEF. And this season, UNICEF club took part in TRICK-or-Treat for UNICEF to continue the trend of spreading goodness to children in need.

Beginning in 1950, children have taken part in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF by spending their Halloween going to houses with their collection boxes asking for donations going to children “who need more than candy”. Bellaire’s UNICEF club has taken part in this project by using these same collection boxes and placing them around the school. President senior Linda Pham tells of the club’s set up around the school.

“We are fundraising with all the teachers that students have volunteered to pick up from,” Pham said. “Each member so far has about two teachers and I believe there’s ten members so far who are really active in it.”

Over the past 65 years, the Trick- or- Treat for UNICEF program has raised more than $175 million for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. UNICEF club is proud to be a major contributor to the money raised. They have goals set for the amount of money they hope to raise and Pham is confident that they will be met.

“Last year we had about $2000,” Pham said. “So this year the goal is about $2500. I think we’ll reach this goal because we have a lot of active members. We’re recognized pretty often for being one of the highest donating high schools.”

Pham is proud to support UNICEF and appreciates how much the school has shown its support as well. Being a part of such a major organization that helps children has influenced the charity in students around the school.

“It’s really rewarding, especially considering how much money we’re raising from just the people around the school,” Pham said.   “Sometimes I’ll just be holding the box because I don’t want to put it in my backpack and people will come up to me and say ‘Hey can I donate?’ and I’ll just say ‘Oh, okay go ahead’. I wasn’t asking, but that’s how sweet they are. It’s really nice.”

Contributing to the organization has brought so much good to both the lives of those donating and the lives of those in need. It has led people like Pham to realize how much of an impact they can have on children who receive donations from UNICEF.

“It helps children’s lifestyle and it helps them to live better,” Pham said. “They get vaccines and they get toys. So it’s not just to live, it’s to live happily as well.”

While helping children live happily, UNICEF club has continued to bring the best out of the school with the Trick- or- Treat for UNICEF project and hopes to continue leading students to donate.