Thanks a million+, American Airlines Champions for Children!
Krista Schmidt is a senior officer for Corporate Partnerships at the U.S. Fund.
Thanks to the dedication of American Airlines (AA) employee volunteers and the generosity of AA customers, UNICEF’s Change for Good Program on American Airlines, proudly supported by Airline Ambassadors International, reaches new heights!
On Wednesday, March 9 at 10 am, travelers can join with AA in a special “Thanks a Million+” celebration at New York’s JFK Airport in Terminal 8 to commemorate this milestone fundraising achievement. AA will treat its customers to giveaways and have a special ceremony to extend its thanks and recognition to customers and employees for raising a record-breaking $1.6+ million for UNICEF in 2010.
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| Amy Cedarburg for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF/2010 |
| Champion for Children, Amy Cedarburg and student at St. Luke Methodist Primary School in Belize City, Belize. |
UNICEF’s Change for Good program on American Airlines began in 1994 and today engages over 2,100 volunteer employees known as “Champions for Children.” Pound by pound, peso by peso, Champions collect donations from generous AA customers onboard select international flights and at Admirals Clubs worldwide to support UNICEF’s lifesaving program for children around the world. Since the program began, over $6 million has been collected to help UNICEF save children’s lives. In this employee-led, grassroots program, it is truly the passion and dedication of the Champions-primarily made up of flight attendants and Admirals Club staff who actively choose to volunteer their time while on the job-that make this program so successful.
The funds collected in 2010 are being directed to support UNICEF’s programs for children impacted by the devastating earthquake in Haiti, children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Latin America, and to support additional programs for children around the world.
To all Champions for Children and AA customers: on behalf of all of the children’s lives you are helping UNICEF save and improve each and every day, Thanks a Million+!
Passengers ask and I wonder: How much of UNICIF money is given to the USA deprived children?
Thanks, I have been wondering this for a long time. I never know how to respond to passengers.
Sharon Ryan
Great question! And smart of your passengers to ask. We get this question a lot, and the answer surprises a lot of people:
A minimum of 90.5 cents of every dollar we get goes directly to supporting the mission of our organization!
We’re really proud of our efficiency, so please spread the word to all your passengers! :) Here’s more details:
http://www.unicefusa.org/donate/give-with-confidence.html
And thank you so much for the incredible work you do.
Sorry, re-read your question and realized you might be asking how we help in the United States specifically.
Every day, more than 21,000 children under five die around the world from entirely preventable causes such as unsafe drinking water, or lack of an affordable vaccine. UNICEF’s lifesaving efforts for children are focused outside of the U.S., in countries that are less equipped to meet children’s most basic needs.
UNICEF works in more than 150 countries worldwide, providing effective, low-cost solutions to counter the biggest threats to children’s survival. In the United States, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF engages Americans by providing opportunities for them to advocate, fundraise and volunteer on behalf of children around the world.
There are certainly children in the U.S. who need help in other ways, and we also encourage everyone to support some of the many great local charities who tackle those tough issues!
Thanks for all your work!
Porter
Deputy Director, Social Media
U.S. Fund for UNICEF