Olympia resident Ellen Rice received an unsettling phone call last Friday. A staff member from UNICEF called to say that an error had been made and 19,000 “Trick or Treat for UNICEF” coin collection boxes would be delivered to Rice’s house sometime this week.
Rice had just finished a UNICEF coin drive for the Griffin School District. “Based on that success, I am seeing this delivery error as 19,000 opportunities to help the children of the world,” she says confidently.
Rice is seeking schools, church groups, teams and others who would like a bundle of coin boxes for this week’s Halloween activities.
“The coin boxes come flat, in bundles of 25. They fold up to a box about the size of an animal cracker box. I’m happy to deliver a bundle anywhere in Thurston County,” Rice explains.
“It’s easy to turn in the coins,” Rice reports. “Coinstar machines at Ralph’s Thriftway, Haggen’s and Fred Meyer all have a ‘Donation’ choice that is followed by button to donate the change to UNICEF. Coinstar passes 100% of the donated coin amount on to UNICEF. Not all Coinstar machines are set up the same, so it’s important to go to a store that has a machine set up for UNICEF donations.”
Anyone wanting “Trick or Treat for UNICEF” coin collection boxes can contact Rice at 866-2468 or via email.
