By Izzy Maly, Key Club International trustee and UNICEF Champions chair

October is more than just pumpkin spice and haunted houses; it’s the month when Key Club members around the world unite for one of our most powerful traditions: Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF.

This year, our fundraising will support Start Strong: Zambia, an initiative of UNICEF USA to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up healthy, educated and safe. By collecting donations — whether through classic coin boxes, online giving or creative club fundraisers — you help build a brighter future for children across the globe.

What is Start Strong: Zambia? 

In Zambia, too many children face challenges that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Limited access to early childhood education, health care and proper nutrition can hold them back before they’ve even had the chance to begin.

Start Strong: Zambia changes that. By focusing on early childhood development, the program ensures children have the building blocks to thrive by supporting schools, caregivers and communities.

When you participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, you contribute directly to this mission. Your fundraising helps provide children with:

  • Access to early learning programs.
  • Essential health care and nutrition.
  • A safe, nurturing environment to grow strong.

Every dollar collected in October is a step toward lasting change. For us, it’s an opportunity to:

  • Make a tangible global impact. You’re not just raising funds, you’re changing lives.
  • Engage your school and community. Get the people around you involved in a cause that’s bigger than all of us.
  • Live out Key Club’s values. Your participation is another way to bolster our commitment to service, leadership and inclusivity.

And for advisors, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF offers a chance to guide students through meaningful, student-led service.

One month, one impact

When thousands of Key Clubbers across the world work together, our impact multiplies. This October, let’s show the world what service truly means.

By supporting Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, you’re not just raising money; you’re helping children in Zambia start strong and stay strong.

Are you ready?

Grab your costumes, rally your club — and let’s make this October unforgettable! Together, we can make sure every child has the start they deserve.