Meeting Recap: 10/24/16

Thank you for coming to our meeting today, as always. Here is everything we covered:

• We have a BAKE SALE at WEST CREEK ACADEMY'S FALL FESTIVAL THIS FRIDAY 10/28 from 4:30-7:30. If you want to sign up for a 1-hour shift or bake goods, email us at valenciaunicef@gmail.com. On the other hand, if you want to sign up for West Creek's Fall Festival itself, click here. There will be a chance that it will rain this Friday, so if anything arises, we will update you guys. THESE DO COUNT FOR NHS HOURS AS WELL AS UNICEF HOURS
• CONTINUE TO COLLECT COINS FOR YOUR TOT BOXES!! You're welcome to ask for coins from others' homes while you're trick or treating :) Remember: you get TWO SERVICE HOURS per box for a maximum of 6. For those participating in the competition, remember that Tyler and I will treat the winner to food, depending on how much the 1st place group raises. 
• Also, thank you for those who came to The Habit last Wednesday. Bring your receipt, and we'll sign your UNICEF service hour sheets.

There won't be a meeting next Monday because of Halloween. See you on November 7th!

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Meeting Recap: 10/17/16

THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING TO TODAYS MEETING! Our UNICEF Community Engagement Fellow, Cambria Findley-Grubb, was very impressed with the turnout and that we're one of the biggest UNICEF clubs in Southern California. Give yourselves a pat on the back -- as cliche as it sounds -- we couldn't have done it without you guys.

Meeting Recap:

• Cambria discussed more about what UNICEF is doing to combat preventable diseases, give every child an education, and provide emergency relief. She also explained her position as a community engagement fellow and her activism within UNICEF.

• Don't forget about our FUNDRAISER on WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19 from 4-10PM at THE HABIT. 20% of the proceeds will be donated towards emergency relief for those affected by Hurricane Matthew. We will also give you guys 1 SERVICE HOUR if you bring back the receipt. Flyers can be found here.  

• Continue to fill up those orange boxes for Trick or Treat for UNICEF. We are shooting for $1000 -- we can definitely do it guys! They won't be due until Mid-November. Remember: we will give you 2 SERVICE HOURS PER BOX for a maximum of 6 (3 boxes). Of course, you're always welcome to fill up more boxes. These will count towards your 12-hour requirement for this semester. 

• For those of you in the TOT competition, don't forget that the winner will be treated a food item! Regardless, everyone gets UNICEF trinkets for participating. 

• It's not too late to order a UNICEF T-shirt! For those who ordered, we will have them out soon. 

If you have any questions, email valenciaunicef@gmail.com and we'll be happy to take them.

Be sure to come to our next meeting on OCTOBER 24 during LUNCH in ROOM 516! We have something exciting coming up (Hint: it's a bake sale).

We hope to see you there!

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Meeting Recap: 10/10/16

• We have a FUNDRAISER on WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 19 at THE HABIT from 4PM-10PM! If you bring the receipt you will get ONE SERVICE HOUR. Remember: you need 12 service hours this semester. All proceeds will go towards those affected by Hurricane Matthew. Click HERE for the flyer.
• It's October, which means Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF!! We are holding a COMPETITION this year. Of course, you don't have to participate, but you're welcome for the sake of some friendly rivalry :)
• Tyler and I will treat the winning team FOOD, depending on how much is raised
• All participants get UNICEF trinkets, ranging from bracelets to buttons
• Email group members (up to 6) to valenciaunicef@gmail.com
• Regardless of joining the competition or not, you will get 2 SERVICE HOURS FOR EACH FILLED BOX. (It can't be half-full)
• Our goal is $1000 as a club! The boxes won't be due until late November, so there's plenty of time for us to reach our goal. 
• It's not too late to order a UNICEF T-Shirt! The price is $10.
• Also, we have a guest speaker coming NEXT MEETING (10/17) during LUNCH in ROOM 516. Her name is Cambria Findley-Grubb and she's our Community Engagement Fellow for the Los Angeles region. She will discuss Trick or Treat for UNICEF in further detail with us. 

See you there next week!

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A Word of Thought: 10/3/16

Hello everyone, I hope you have a relaxing fall break so far!
We don't have a meeting this week, but I want to share something with you all.

The bombings in Syria struck Aleppo recently, and too many children are being killed. This isn't uncommon; this is something that children have to go through every single day. Worst of all, the bombings are deliberately targeted in hospitals and schools, the buildings with the most number of children. Without them, children will not have access to simple healthcare and education. Imagine being in the first-grade, not knowing when or where the bombings are going to strike. Imagine having to see the blood-splotched bodies of your dead relatives, screaming and weeping because the bombings took the chance for you to say "Goodbye." A six-year-old should not have to feel this desolate for something he/she does not have control with. This is absolutely, utterly sickening.

The thing that's so ineffable is that the 100,000 children affected by the bombings is "definitely the worst we have seen for children” according to Hanaa Singer, Syria's UNICEF representative. After reading those words, I didn't know what to think - I thought that despite five years of ruthless bombing, children would finally have a chance to breathe, live life, and pursue their passions. I was too mad, too angry at the world to care about the pile of unfinished work sitting by my desk. Children are being killed for simply living in Aleppo, and here I am, in the midst of figuring out problem #34. 

Speaking of education, here's an article from UNICEF that I came across last night. Children in Syria are trudging miles and miles to take their national exams and obtain an education, in addition to bypassing security and dangerous terrain. They are fighting for the very thing that we complain about every day, and their determination, through the dust of war-torn Syria, is utterly amazing. 

These children, like us, hope for a better future through education. By also educating ourselves about the happenings in our world, we will not only gain awareness but also become the next generation to fulfill that hope. This is why organizations like UNICEF exist: to raise awareness and to help children in need of help. I'm grateful to be a part of it, and I hope you are too. 

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