Iconic Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Campaign Goes Digital with 2014 Spokesperson Zendaya

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Actress, platinum recording artist and author Zendaya, this year's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF spokesperson, is asking kids in the U.S. to make a difference in the lives of other kids by raising funds for UNICEF's lifesaving programs. Zendaya will be appearing as a "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF superhero" in print, online, and broadcast public service announcements to encourage participation in the 64-year-old American tradition. Donations collected through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF provide medicine, nutrition, clean water, emergency relief and education to children around the world.

In addition to going door-to-door with traditional orange boxes to collect coins for UNICEF, for the first time kids and parents can now set up individual fundraising pages on Crowdrise for their friends and family members to donate. Also new this year, participants can turn their Halloween party into a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF fundraiser by setting up a donation page and including a link to it in their party invitation. To get started, visit www.trickortreatforunicef.org.

"I loved Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF when I was younger because it was such an empowering experience to be able to make a difference. Kids need more than candy; they need basics like medicine, nutrition and clean drinking water, and millions of them wouldn't have these things without UNICEF," said Zendaya, 18-year-old star and producer of Disney Channel series KC Undercover airing this winter, and former contestant on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. "I'm really excited to celebrate Halloween this year by inspiring a new generation of kids to be Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF superheroes that help save other kids' lives."

The campaign relies not only on children and parents, but also on educators to teach their students the value of helping kids in need. This year K-8 teachers can participate through the 2nd annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF School Challenge. The competition will provide 15 grand prize winning teachers with $1,000 technology grants. All entrants will be asked to describe how they will teach their students about issues facing children globally and the importance of giving back. To be eligible to win, teachers must submit Trick-or-Treat donations by Dec. 1, 2014. To enter the competition, visit www.trickortreatforunicef.org.

Additionally, this year's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Teachers' Guides can be used as a resource for educators to help provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to make an impact through the campaign. Using readings, photos, videos, music, maps, and games, they introduce students to UNICEF's work, child rights, and a variety of issues affecting the health and well-being of children around the world.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is grateful for the support of National Sponsors HSN, Inc. and Key Club International, National Media Sponsor Media Vest, Promotional Supporter Coinstar, Inc. and Proud Supporter BuySeasons, Inc.

National Sponsors

HSN, Inc. (HSNi), an interactive multichannel retailer, is teaming up with the U.S. Fund again this Halloween to save and improve children's lives through Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. As a proud national sponsor of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, HSNi Cares will raise funds through HSNi brands: Chasing Fireflies, Grandin Road, HSN and TravelSmith, in a variety of ways. Throughout September and October, customers will be able to take part by making donations online or over the phone. From September 1st to October 15th, HSN will match all customer donations made on the HSN credit card up to $125,000. On September 26th, HSN will launch a special edition of UNICHEF: Top Chefs Unite in Support of the World's Children, a cookbook featuring 40 world-class chefs assembled by Hilary Gumbel. Twenty percent of the purchase price of the book will be donated to the U. S. Fund for UNICEF during the 2nd Annual HSN Cares Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Primetime Special. The special will feature interviews with HSNi CEO Mindy Grossman, U.S. Fund for UNICEF President & CEO Caryl Stern, U.S. Fund for UNICEF National Board member and Author, Hilary Gumbel as well as HSN Chefs Ming Tsai, Donatella Arpaia and Ingrid Hoffmann.  HSN Cares will also donate twenty percent of the purchase price for all products featured and sold during the primetime special to benefit Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.  

Key Club International continues its support of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, raising funds for The Eliminate Project, which seeks to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. To date, the longstanding partnership with Key Club has raised more than $7 million for UNICEF. Key Club International, a student-led service leadership program of Kiwanis International, is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. For more information, please visit TheEliminateProject.org.

National Media Sponsor

MediaVest is part of Starcom MediaVest Group and one of the leading, full-service media specialist companies. Since 2005, MediaVest has been a proud supporter of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. This fall, MediaVest is producing a national pro bono media campaign around Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF throughout the month of October.

Promotional Supporter

Coinstar® is making it easy for people to donate the money collected for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.  Participants simply bring the funds they collect to any of the over 11,000 Coinstar kiosks accepting UNICEF donations at participating supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchants, and financial institutions across the U.S. Consumers can find the closest Coinstar kiosk accepting UNICEF donations by using the Machine Locator tool at http://bit.ly/1oYaSvn.

Proud Supporter

BuySeasons, Inc.  will donate to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF 10% of the retail price of each order (excluding sales tax) submitted online at BuyCostumes.com  in the U.S. using the code TOT4UNICEF from September 2 to October 31, 2014, up to $100,000. In addition, visitors to BuyCostumes.com will be able to make a donation on the website.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF—the original Kids Helping Kids® campaign—is one of the longest-running youth volunteer initiatives in America. The campaign is an easy way for children to help their peers in other countries and has raised more than $172 million to support UNICEF's lifesaving work. To learn more or participate, visit www.trickortreatforunicef.org. Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #TOT4UNICEF.

Attention media: For behind-the-scenes photos of the Zendaya Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF public service announcements shoot, please visit https://www.hightail.com/download/ZUcyRGw2a0RreERsZThUQw.

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children's lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when ZERO children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF