unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/23/89)
FIRST LADY IS HONORARY CHAIRPERSON FOR NATIONAL UNICEF DAY
(PR Newswire, August 16, 335 words, DATELINE: NEW YORK)
NEW YORK, Aug. 16 /PRN/ -- Mrs. Barbara Bush will serve as
honorary chairperson for National UNICEF Day on Oct. 31. UNICEF is the
United Nations Children's Fund.
In accepting the post, the First Lady said, "Each year young people
in our country have a wonderful opportunity to learn the value of
sharing and caring when they Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF."
This year's National UNICEF Day goal is $3 million. The money
raised will be used primarily for basic health care, with an emphasis on
provision of safe drinking water.
"Providing clean water and adequate sanitation for all children can
be accomplished in this century," Mrs. Bush noted. "Each year, UNICEF
brings clean water to nearly 20 million people. The cost is so low --
an average of $3.20 per person, per year," she added.
"Mrs. Bush continues a White House tradition," said Lawrence E.
Bruce Jr., president of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, the organization
that sponsors National UNICEF Day. "Oct. 31 was proclaimed National
UNICEF Day by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967. Since then all
presidents have continued this practice. We're honored that Barbara
Bush is leading this year's events."
Mrs. Bush will not be alone in encouraging American support for
UNICEF in October. There are local chairpersons in each of the 65
cities with U.S. Committee for UNICEF chapters, and thousands of leaders
of individual school, church and club fundraising activities and
parties. Popular country singer Roy Clark and the beloved TV character
Alf will be spokespersons, too.
National UNICEF Day has its roots in Philadelphia, where the Rev.
Clyde Allison, with a small band of young philanthropists, collected $17
for UNICEF on Halloween in 1950. Since then, it has become the nation's
most popular annual volunteer event. People who wish to take part in
1989 may call 1-800-252-KIDS.
CONTACT -- Frank Tooni, of the United Nations Children's Fund,
212-686-5522
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