UNICEF People

Celebrating people who make a difference

A note from Douglas Mulvihill.

Since 1947, when a small group of committed citizens founded the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, volunteers have played a vital role in helping the U.S. Fund for UNICEF change the world for the better. The cornerstone of the U.S. Fund’s volunteer efforts is "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF." Volunteers work with local schools, congregations, and community groups to support the programme's message of "kids helping kids."

Nicole Byrd-Hall, a volunteer in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fifteen-year-old Douglas Mulvihill from the town of Parsippany, New Jersey "Trick-or-Treated" for the first time in 2002. Dressed as Harry Potter, he went door-to-door in his wheelchair asking for donations by pressing a button on his voice simulator, which had been pre-recorded to say "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF." Douglas has cerebral palsy and the $36.86 he raised was a priceless gift to the world's children.

Nicole Byrd-Hall from the city of Atlanta, Georgia is a corporate volunteer at the popular Cartoon Network television channel. Thanks in large part to Ms. Byrd-Hall, the channel is a tremendous "Trick-or-Treat" partner. The Cartoon Network’s most popular cartoon characters get the word out about UNICEF in public service announcements and on the internet.

Mary and Ted Page, chairs of the Dane County Friends of UNICEF.

A pair of retirees, Ted and Mary Page, chair the Dane County Friends of UNICEF in the city of Madison, Wisconsin. The pair are are longtime UNICEF volunteers. The Pages have the most successful "Trick-or-Treat" programme in the Midwest and raised $15,000 in 2002. The couple coordinated all the details with teachers in Madison's school and collected the funds at the end of the campaign.

UNICEF’s volunteers are men and women of all ages and from all walks of life. All of them have at least one thing in common: a belief that all children deserve a chance to live and grow. And they put that belief into action to help build a world fit for children.