UNICEF's Change for Good(R) Program on American Airlines Collects a Record-Breaking $1.2 Million in 2009

Funds Will Help Provide Vulnerable Children with a Safe and Healthy Childhood

NEW YORK, March 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Fund for UNICEF proudly announced today that its alliance with American Airlines through UNICEF's Change for Good® program raised more than $1.2 million in 2009. More donations were collected in 2009 than in any other year of the 15-year history of Change for Good on American Airlines, exceeding the 2009 goal.  All funds collected will enable UNICEF to provide children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education and emergency relief.  

Adding to the phenomenal success of a banner year of collections in 2009, American Airlines employee volunteers known as "Champions for Children" immediately rallied following the devastating January earthquake in Haiti, choosing to dedicate all Change for Good funds collected in January and February 2010 to UNICEF's relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts for children in Haiti.  

"American Airlines and its participation in the Change for Good program is invaluable to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF for its ability to bring both funding and attention to UNICEF's work," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern. "A little change goes a long way. We are so thankful for the generosity of American Airlines customers and the dedication of the committed American Airlines employee volunteers who choose to help improve children's lives."

American Airlines and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF are creating new and exciting ways to engage AA's employees and customers in UNICEF's Change for Good program, which is proudly supported by Airline Ambassadors International (AAI), a humanitarian organization founded by American Airlines flight attendants. For the first time in the program's history, in 2009 American Airlines joined the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's iconic "kids helping kids" program by "Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF" onboard select flights, at U.S. Admirals Clubs and in the workplace.

"Special congratulations and thanks to the American Airlines Flight Attendants whose remarkable volunteer efforts have made this all possible," said Dan Garton, American's Executive Vice President – Marketing. "American Airlines is extremely proud of its 15-year history of joining with UNICEF to help save children's lives through Change for Good. We are very pleased that this program has achieved more than $1.2 million in donations for 2009 – a true testament to the devotion of our employee volunteers and the generosity of American's customers.  We look forward to continuing to build on this success in 2010 and beyond."

In recognition for its achievements, the Change for Good program on American Airlines was recently named a finalist for the 2009 PR News Corporate Social Responsibility Awards. The program received honorable recognition among top organizations that are communicating to employees corporate responsibility commitments and engaging them in helping to create positive change on important social and environmental issues.

To learn more about the program and how you can help, visit www.unicefusa.org/changeforgood.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, 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.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress—the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF