By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE — Over $1,000 was raised on Sunday Oct. 24 when 28 youths of the Limestone Methodist Church, with the help of a couple non-members, trick-or-treated early for UNICEF.
Of the six years that the church has been actively participating in UNICEF, this was one of the most successful years.
The youths split into 12 groups as to not replicate their efforts, took their boxes and went door to door collecting funds for the charity; about $1,360 plus $7.50 Canadian was collected throughout the day “and the kids enjoyed doing it very much,” said Congregation Leader Leona Michaud. “When they realize how much one penny can do to help children in need, they’re eager to help and I think that’s part of their motivation to participate; they know that they’ll help someone somewhere who currently doesn’t have food or water.”
Church members shared that according to UNICEF information, $3 provides a children with pencil, paper and pen for use in a classroom; $12 provides 10 packets of high energy biscuits to feed undernourished children; $34 provides immunizations to protect two children for life against the six leading child-killing diseases — measles, polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and tuberculosis; $100 can vaccinate 215 children again polio; $450 can provide warm blankets for 150 children and $500 can help provide safe drinking water for a community.
When an organization raises over $500 in one year for UNICEF, the organization receives a large orange ribbon of appreciation. There are a bunch of orange ribbons hanging from a bulletin board in the church but with an involvement from the church and community so consistent, it’s safe to say that they’re going to need a bigger bulletin board.
