October 30, 2006

11-yr-old Activist Giving More Treats than Ever this Halloween!

A lot can happen in a year.

In September of 2005, Talia developed the idea for T.L.C., a trick-or-treating coin crusade for hurricane relief that evolved into a unification project for hurricane relief efforts of school children across the nation. Hy-Vee Corporation helped catapult the project into the national limelight by making 8.5 million trick-or-treat bags with the T.L.C. message on them for all their 221 stores in seven states. UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), calling Talia a "True World Hero," named her their national youth spokesperson. Three months after the hurricane came ashore, thousands of schools reported their fundraising efforts to T.L.C., totalling over $5.2 million raised through a variety of fundraising efforts. One year later, the total reported has exceeded $10 million.

T.L.C. evolved into a new Iowa non-profit called RandomKid, which carries the by-line, “The Power of ANYone”. Their mission: To take the goodness of the child and turn it into goodness for the world. Talia has inspired kids across the USA to register with RandomKid and make the world a better place in their own unique ways. This young activist continues her hurricane relief work through RandomKid, having established the “RandomKid National Task Force to Rebuild the Gulf." Working with Habitat for Humanity International, the team of 10 children, from all over the USA, are working on projects with national roll-out potential to rebuild homes. An estimated 40,000 low-income families are still living in FEMA trailers, who are eligible for Habitat for Humanity Homes, but for whom funds are not available. Two of the children who are on her National Task Force are hurricane survivors, who received the first Habitat for Humanity home in their home town of Slidell, Louisiana, and want to "pay it forward".

"Children's enthusiasm and energy is inspirational," said Ken Meinert, vice president of Operation Home Delivery, Habitat's hurricane recovery program. "Media coverage of the destruction in the Gulf is no longer prevalent, but these young people have not forgotten their neighbors in need. RandomKid is a testament to what children can do. Habitat is honored to be a recipient of their hard work and generosity."

Launching their first product-fundraising effort to benefit both Habitat's OHD (to build homes in the gulf) and RandomKid to help kids help others, Talia and her 14 year old friend Sarah, developed a prototype for a product. Talia purchased the first lot with $2000 she won for her hurricane-relief efforts from the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. The products they plan to sell are carabiners--aluminum hooks that mountain climbers use for their ropes--kids like to put them on their backpacks or beltloops. These carabiners come in 5 colors, with one letter on each chimney spelling out “H” “O” “M” “E” “S." The carabiners will be featured in a 3-page story about RandomKid's National Task Force to Rebuild the Gulf in FAMILY CIRCLE MAGAZINE ’s 2006 Holiday issue, due on newsstands on November 28th, 2006. Talia's work has also been featured in Winner magazine, and TIME Magazine for Kids. (Talia will have the carabiners dangling from her belt loops on Monday.)

On Iowa's "Beggar’s Night," Talia will continue raising funds through Trick-or-Treating, this time exclusively for UNICEF, with all proceeds going to help children in need throughout the world. Talia has been going to schools through the Waukee area, and has so far handed out nearly 5,000 boxes with the support of friends in her community. She will be handing out the last 600 boxes at Eason Elementary on Monday morning before the first bell, and will collect the boxes from the school offices in Waukee during the weeks following. Perhaps her younger brother, Zander, who despised the TLC idea from day one because it interfered with candy collections, will join her, but it’s a long shot.

Talia is also raising money for UNICEF through an organization she founded called, "For Each Other". This organization is made up of penpal delegates from all over the world who function together as a mini-United Nations of children. She has 70 delegates, so far, from each of the 50 US states, and 20 different countries.

Says, Talia, "Anyone can be someone, it is just a matter of stepping out there with whatever you have to give."

About RandomKid:
RandomKid is an Iowa nonprofit that Helps Kids Help Others. Kids often have BIG ideas. RandomKid takes their ideas for a better tomorrow seriously and helps them harness their power to make their dreams a reality. By creating opportunities for children across the USA to tap into a variety of resources, RandomKid will allow children's unique abilities to shine as bright as they can and solve real-world problems while doing it. Children may safely and confidentially register to share their unique talents to help others, and grownups may register to offer support to a variety of children's projects. www.randomkid.org

About Habitat for Humanity--Operation Home Delivery:

Operation Home Delivery is Habitat for Humanity International’s response to the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While Habitat for Humanity cannot be the answer to all low-income housing needs created by the hurricanes, Habitat expects to assist thousands of people and to work together in partnership with other organizations to serve as a catalyst in the rebuilding process.

www.habitat.org/disaster/OHD/

About Habitat for Humanity International:
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for one million people. www.habitat.org

About Trick or Treat for UNICEF:Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF began in 1950 when a group of young trick-or-treaters went door-to-door on Halloween in Philadelphia. At each door, they not only opened their bags for candy, but held out empty milk cartons to collect coins for children in need overseas. They collected $17 and sent it to UNICEF. Today, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has educated millions of American Children about their peers in developing countries and empowered them to raise more than $127 million to help support UNICEF programs around the world.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF boxes can be ordered now by calling 1-800-4UNICEF or by logging on to www.unicefusa.org

About UNICEF

Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world through immunization, education, healthcare, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.unicefusa.org or call 1-800-4UNICEF or 1-800-486-4233.

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Media Contact

Anne Ginther, President
RandomKid

Tel  972.359.0765 office  612.210.9952 mobile
Email  Anne@RandomKid.org