Halloween Helpers for Katrina Survivors

Halloween Helpers supports kid-designed "T.L.C."

2005-11-27T12:30:00.000-08:00

This is a national KID-MOVEMENT to help hurricane survivors in the Gulf Coast.

As seen on the Today Show, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and Japanese Television Network NHK.

Thank you to RAINMAKER & SUN for donating our logo.

December 1, 2005: Kids across USA rallied together on a national conference call to hear what 4000 schools across the country have raised for hurricane relief so far.

$5,234,735.88

Click on the number above to be transported to the most up-to-date tally.

Our goal was to raise ONE MILLION DOLLARS for Hurricane Relief Chairities and even more for children around the world by Trick-Or-Treating for UNICEF. But the numbers kept coming in... inspiring the creation of a new non-profit organization called RandomKid. It's about the POWER of ANYone. See www.randomkid.org for more. We'll be adding more information here and on RandomKid's website... but first, we're going to take a nap.

Thank you EVERYONE for all that you've done! We can't wait for our next announcement on the one-year anniversary of when Katrina came ashore. If we did $5+ Million in three months, just imagine what we can do in the next 9 months!

Click on the Orange Links Below for More Information and be sure to check back often, refreshing your screen, we're still adding new stuff... but you may also find a lot of new info on www.randomkid.org.

It's not too late to include what you did for hurricane relief in this national tally!

REPORT YOUR COLLECTED MONEY HERE

and see who has already contributed to hurricave relief!

DONATE MONEY ON-LINE HERE

Photos from the field

Pen Pals (letters between children who want to help and those who need it)

Jobs for Kids to help TLC

TLC Making Waves

More background on the story

(the above includes links to news-stories, pictures, bios, and more)

Media Alerts

TLC Trick or Treat for UNICEF

THE NUMBERS--THE IMPACT

HELP spread the word!

The TLC Team

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters, Iowa Halloween Trivia & Jokes!

Buy a Tshirt to support our new non-profit oranizaton, RandomKid that was inspired ball all the great kids out there who acted on their own unique plans to help people who need it. You'll find a link to purchase the shirt at http://www.randomkid.org/. Thanks for your support!

TLC Artist, Talia L.

Media Alerts

2005-11-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

Please check back on this page for updates on national and local T.L.C. events throughout the month of October. Be sure to "refresh" your browser, so that you'll have the very latest information.

MEDIA EVENT ADVISORY

Conference Call With Children From Across The Country To Release Results Of Kid-Powered Hurricane Relief Effort

Kids from more than 4000 schools combine efforts for hurricane relief at a level that rivals major corporations

CONTACT: Anne Ginther anne@aga-recruit.com (515)-226-3357 office
(612)210-9952 mobile

WHEN: Thursday, December 1, 2005, 12:30 Eastern Standard Time (11:30 Central, 10:30 Mountain, 9:30 Pacific)

WHAT: National conference call (over speaker phones and intercoms) with kids from 15 schools from across the nation representing the approximately 4000 schools that have already reported in their numbers.

DIAL-IN: To dial in to the call, please contact Anne Ginther for the phone and pin numbers.

ATTEND: The media is invited to attend at any of the following locations
(please contact Anne Ginther for local contact information)
IA: HOST CITY--kids will gather at Hy-Vee Grocery HQ in West Des Moines
CA: Horace Mann in Beverly Hills
CA: Gompers Elementary in Lakewood
DE: Elbert-Palmer in Wilmington
FL: Pineview in Sarasota
ID: Koelsch, St. Joseph's and East Junior High in Boise
KA: Bluejacket-Flint in Shawnee
LA: Parkridge Elementary in Baker
MT: Grantsdale and Daly in Hamilton
NJ: Robert R. Lazar Middle school in Montville
TX: Kipp Academy, Houston, TX
VA: Catoctin Elementary in Leesburg

In a time when "donor fatigue" is an instantly recognizable phrase, Americans may be inspired to do more by children coming to the rescue.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONFERENCE CALL
*Please dial in between 30 an 35 minutes past the hour. The call will begin at 40 minutes past the hour and last approximately 15 minutes.

*A roll call of 15 representative schools from east to west and north to south.
Each school will briefly (30 seconds per school) share their stories about how they did it!

*We will announce FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, just how powerful kids are as a combined force for good (hint: MILLIONS of DOLLARS)!
*The call will conclude with the children singing "God Bless America." The kids will sing the verse that relates to their region (Mountains, Prairies, etc.)

Additional Information
A new website, www.randomkid.org will launch on December 01, 2005 to "carry the tally forward" as kids continue to report in their numbers.

This website will carry forward both the current totals and the message of the power of ANYONE, even a child, to make a difference in our world!

The organizers plan to make another announcement on the anniversary of the day Katrina came ashore--August, 29, 2006. It is expected the children of the USA will raise over $10 million dollars for hurricane relief powered by the efforts of school children.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

National Media Advisory for Friday, November 18, 2005

A release will be going out on or before Friday, November 11th regarding a national event on Friday, November 18th. Children across the USA will be participating in the announcement of what they've raised for hurricane-relief charities to-date. The event is tentatively scheduled to take place at 9:30 Pacific/ 10:30 Mountain / 11:30 Central / 12:30 Eastern with a live radio broadcast opportunity at precisely 40 minutes after the hour that will last 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes tops. More information will be made available this week.

National Media Alert for Saturday, October 29th - Monday October 31st

TLC=Trick or Treating for the Levee Catastrophe (A.K.A. Trick or Treat for Loose Change): A Nationwide Kids' Movement to Raise One Million Dollars for Hurricane Relief.
http://www.halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/

USFUNDS for UNICEF Media Contact: Marci Greenberg, USFunds for UNICEF, (212) 922-2464 MGreenberg@unicefusa.org
Sunday Media Contact in Iowa after 1:00 pm: Katie Scolari Borden KScolari@unicefusa.org
Cell 201-956-0805
When: Saturday, October 29th, Sunday, October 30, 2005, Monday, October 31st

What: Collecting Coins for Katrina on Beggars' Night and turning them in to charities at a big Halloween party.

Saturday, October 29-- 4:00 pm
Location: Leman residence: 725 Southfork Drive, Waukee, IA Phone: 515-224-2012
Last TLC Meeting--Conference call with kids across the country preparing for trick or treating, set personal goals for how much they want to bring in, etc.
*Talia and friends here will also be busy with the following tasks:
*Counting up current donations
*Plotting map of where donations came from
*Folding UNICEF boxes to put into large bags to be delivered to key locations for distribution.
*Folding UNICEF tshirts for the giveaway at the party tomorrow night.

Sunday, October 30
4:30 pm -- Talia and Friends meet at corner of SE Olson and Oak Leaf Drive in Waukee (off of
Boone… fairly close to Eason Elementary school)
Talia will put on her Quarter costume, and the kids will paint a "starting line" on the
sidewalk.
4:45 pm -- Kids from across the USA will conference call in with Iowa TLC kids to cheer them
on. Someone will give a countdown and then the IA kids will be off and running to
trick or treat for loose change… and some candy, too!
7:15 pm -- Photo-op at HyVee's Coin Collection Party. TLC CEO Talia will be there dumping in
her change, along with Waukee Mayor Tony Oberman, West Lakes Hy-Vee Store Director Greg Huff, Asst. VP of Communications for Hy-Vee Ruth Comer, and USFUNDS for UNICEF representative Katie Scolari.
Location: West Lakes Hy-Vee in West Des Moines on University Avenue and Jordan
Creek Parkway.
**You may call Anne Ginther at 612-210-9952 between 9:00 and 10:00 to get updated anecdotal information for your 10:00 news. (i.e. One kid brought in $235!!)

Monday, October 31st
7:00 AM-- Location: Leman residence: 725 Southfork Drive, Waukee, IA
Talia will call UNICEF "True World Hero" Wilbur -- a first grader in NY to tell him
how much trick or treaters brought in to the party last night and cheer him on to do
the same or better on Halloween night. Talia will be available for interviews
throughout the day. Donations will continue to come in through 11/4. We hope to
present a big check to all charities the week of 11/06. Details forthcoming.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subject: Tuesday, October 25th 4:00- 6:30 pm-- Hundreds of kids in costume get their trick-or-treat collection boxes and bags from Talia Leman, 10 year old CEO of TLC

TLC Media contact: Nancy Berg j2nberg@mchsi.com515-778-5326

U.S. Fund for UNICEF Media contact:Marci Greenberg, MGreenberg@unicefusa.org
(212) 922-2464

What: Hy-Vee Trick-or-Treat party / Kick-off for TLC's Countdown to Coin Collecting that culminates on October 30/31st. Hundreds of children in the West Des Moines / Waukee area will come in costume to trick-or-treat throughout the store and to receive their collection boxes and bags to trick-or-treat for hurricane relief on "Beggars' Night."

Who: Talia Leman, 10-year-old CEO of TLC and U.S. Fund for UNICEF National Youth Ambassador will be in costume dressed as a quarter (with mom, Dana)--passing out Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF collection boxes for the children to use when they go trick or treating.

When: Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Talia and mom, Dana, will be passing them out from 4:00 to 6:30 pm.
Anne Ginther, TLC Advisor, will be passing them out from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Where: West Lakes Hy-Vee1725 Jordan Creek Parkway University Avenue and Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA

Why: (Please consider incorporating the following message into your story)

We need everyone in this community to be prepared on Halloween night with some loose change to give to the trick-or-treaters along with the candy. We also need parents to know what to do with the money once it's collected:

1. Come to the Big Bash at Hy-Vee on "Beggars' Night," Sunday, October 30th from 7 pm to 9 pm. Toss your change in a coin counter and see how much you collected! Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and THE AMERICAN RED CROSS will have collection sites at the store. The first 100 children to donate to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF will receive a "True World Hero" t-shirt.

2. Report your donation on-line. Go to TLC's website: http://www.halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/ and click on "REPORT YOUR COLLECTED MONEY AND DONATE HERE" and the links will automatically tally to TLC's movement with the charity you select.

3. If you choose to donate to another hurricane-relief charity, or prefer to mail a check to any of these organizations, you may go to our site and click on "REPORT YOUR COLLECTED MONEY AND DONATE HERE" and simply add a comment indicating how much you raised and for which charity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For Saturday, October 22, 2005--2 events 4:45 pm and later

COUNT DOWN TO COIN COLLECTION

TLC= Trick or Treating for the Levee Catastrophe (A.K.A. Trick or
Treat for Loose Change): A national KID-MOVEMENT that
culminates on Halloween to help hurricane survivors in the
Gulf Coast.
www.halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com

TLC Media contact:
Nancy Berg j2nberg@mchsi.com
515-778-5326

Countdown events:

Saturday, October 22, 2005

4:45 pm "Wauktoberfest" Costume Parade--Centennial Park, Waukee
Parade starts at 5 pm.

Children will line up in costumes for a short costume parade. TLC's 10-year-old CEO Talia Leman (TAHL-ya leh-MAHN) will participate ( in a surprise costume ) along side many young TLC trick or treaters. At the end of the parade the children will receive UNICEF trick or treat boxes and Hy-Vee Red Cross bags to use on Beggars' night, along with more information about upcoming events, safety tips, and how to donate your collected money.

6 to 10 pm

Mardi Gras in the Museum -- a Benefit Event for Iowa’s Gulf States Relief Fund sponsored by The Iowa Department of Cultural
Affairs and the Iowa Arts Council cohosted by Lt. Governor Sally Pederson and TLC CEO Talia Leman.

State Historical Building, 600 E.Locust St., Des Moines -- speakers and
singers will be right in the Atrium when you walk in.

Media Contact for this event: Jeff Morgan, 515-281-3858

6:45 pm Lt. Governor Sally Pederson will be speaking for about 10 minutes

7:45 pm Talia sings (She really ROCKS!) and Guitarist Doyle
Smith will sing Randy Newman's popular song from the
movie "Toy Story," "You've Got a Friend in Me."

For Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 1:15 pm.

TLC Makes the Kid-Connection –
See for yourself how children from Baton Rouge reacted to letters brought to them from children at the Academy and Eason Elementary

WHO: TLC Advisor / Mom will give a fun and educational presentation about volunteering in the shelters and then distribute letters from the kids in the shelter in response to the children's letters from Iowa.
WHAT:

*Posters that the children made will be up when Academy students enter the room -- we'll encourage students to look at and discuss the posters.

*Poster that TLC Advisor / Mom made with pictures from her travels will also be up for kids to see.

*Once kids are seated, TLC Advisor / Mom will begin presentation in a funky coat and accessories.... as she talks about how the children down there are a lot like the children up here, she'll remove the coat to a more conservative look, talking about how some of them have funky clothes, and some of them wear school uniforms... talking about all the different looks, personalities, etc. which are just as diverse as we'd find here.

*She'll talk about the letters. The children in the shelters were very moved by such an outpouring of love from children they don't even know. As we begin to pass out the letters, TLC Advisor / Mom will read one aloud. Then we'll ask students to read a couple aloud.

*Short Q&A / discussion

*We'll wrap up with a short video diary of the trip, which includes a personal "shout out" from James, a boy at one of the shelters, who says, "Hey TLC--Thanks for the M&Ms!"

*TLC Advisor / Mom will hang around to answer any additional questions.

WHERE: The Academy
924 Polk Boulevard
(Located behind Tifereth Israel Synagogue across from Roosevelt High School)

WHEN: Wednesday, October 12 at 1:15 p.m.

Check out the new photos, letters that have been posted on our website: http://halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/2005/10/pen-pals-letters-between-children-who.html

Jennifer Perry, APR
Director of Media Relations
Iowa Health -- Des Moines
1200 Pleasant Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
515-241-5283 office
515-241-5339 fax
perryja@ihs.org

Saturday, October 8, 2005

Kids Helping Kids in Response to Hurricane Disaster
Children across the country are working together to raise $1 million to benefit the American Red Cross hurricane relief.
DES MOINES, Iowa – For one 10-year-old Iowa girl Halloween is not about how much candy she can stuff into her pumpkin, but instead how much money she can help raise for people affected by the hurricanes in the Gulf Coast. That’s why she’s leading one of the nation’s only unified children’s fundraisers. Schools from across the country are joining the effort, including California, Illinois, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa and South Dakota.

Talia Leman of Waukee, Iowa is encouraging children in her community and across the United States to turn Halloween into a $1 million fundraiser for hurricane relief. She is calling her idea T.L.C. — Trick-or-treating for the Levee Catastrophe, which she says, in the wake of Hurricane Rita, can also stand for “Trick-or-treat for Loose Change”.
At first Leman brainstormed a fundraiser for just herself and her friends. Then it expanded to her neighborhood. Leman then put her idea to paper. A million dollars didn't seem too far to reach. If 100,000 children raised $10 each, she calculated, they could do it. She already has earned the backing of Hy-Vee, an Iowa-based grocer, who printed her message on 8.5 million orange plastic grocery bags that can double as trick-or-treat bags. Hy-Vee is distributing the bags at its 221 stores in seven Midwestern states.

The idea continues to grow and is becoming a true children’s movement. In addition to raising money across the country, T.LC. is also doing a letter writing campaign to children in the affected areas letting them know that this Halloween is not just about getting – but about giving.

“You don't have to be a grown-up to make a difference. All you have to do is want to help," says a very dedicated Leman.

If the approximately 40 million children across the United States that celebrate Halloween join in her efforts and collect just $1 each – they’ll far exceed her goal, raising potentially $40 million.

There are a number of ways for children of all ages to get involved – no matter where they live in the United States. Job descriptions are posted at their website at www.halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com and kids can choose what they want to do to get involved in their local community.

To donate to T.L.C., you can bring your coins to a local participating school, to a local Hy-Vee Grocery Store, or log onto http://www.redcross.org/donate/donatechange.html where you will be directed to a free standing coin depository. In addition, T.L.C encourages you to visit their website to record the amount children raise so that they can tally the results of their fundraising efforts.

###

To see Talia’s Plan for T.L.C. visit:
http://halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_halloweenhelpers_archive.html#112784115277724571

Alert: For October 4, 2005 at 6:30 pmTLC=Trick or Treating for the Levee Catastrophe (A.K.A. Trick or Treat for Loose Change): A FUNd Raiser designed by kids for the American Red Cross Hurricane Disaster Relief
http://www.halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/

TLC Media contact:
Jennifer Perry
205-6090
perryja@ihs.org

REMINDER: CHILDREN ARE SHOPPING AT THE WINDSOR HEIGHTS WAL+MART TONIGHT AT 6:30 for supplies and fun stuff that Anne Ginther, TLC Advisor will deliver in person along with their letters and pictures.

When: Wednesday, October 5, 2005

8:25 am -- TLC Advisor Anne Ginther will fly out of the Kansas City Airport with Iowa children's letters and pictures to be hand delivered to 200 children in Gulf Coast shelters, arriving in New Orleans at 12:10 PM.

10:54 am - TLC Advisor Gretchen Hansen (MN native) will fly out of Minneapolis and hook up with Anne in Dallas where they change planes and arrive together in New Orleans at 12:10 pm... carrying our precious cargo all the way.

We're working through logistics with Wal+Mart. There's a small chance the goods would be handed out to the children tomorrow afternoon, but more likely that this will happen on Thursday or Friday. We will alert you as soon as we have all the details. Please note--there may be a delay in media alerts on the Internet, as the blogger who does this, happens to be the person who is going to the shelters. Rest assured that Jennifer Perry will be up to speed on everything and send releases out to the media. She will be available to field your questions, too.

What: T.L.C. Advisors travel to Louisiana to deliver personal letters, pictures, plus supplies that children in Iowa will shop for tonight at 6:30 pm with gift cards generously donated by Wal-Mart.

Where: Tentatively two shelters (definitely one of the two): Baton Rouge and Lafayette--Wal-Mart is working out logistics. We'll let you know as soon as we have the info.

River Center Shelter
275 South River Rd
Baton Rouge, LA

and/or

Cajun Dome
444 Cajun Dome Blvd
Lafayette, LA

Why: Monday marks the kick off of the "You've Got a Friend in Me" week--part of the TLC Campaign

The T.L.C. kids want the kids who were affected by the hurricane to know, "You've Got a Friend in Me."

This week we'll begin to open a direct link between the kids who want to help and the kids who need help as a result of the hurricane disasters. Children from The Academy in Des Moines, IA and Eason Elementary in Waukee, IA wrote letters and colored pictures for the children who were affected by the hurricane disaster.

Come along with us as we shop for the hurricane survivors. Wal-Mart has generously donated roughly $1600 dollars worth of gift cards that six TLC kid volunteers will use to shop for their new friends in Gulf Coast shelters. Then watch as the survivors respond, and write letters back to the T.L.C. kids who want to help.

Watch us simultaneously as Anne Ginther (TLC Advisor) loads up the letters and travels back to Iowa. Talia will be at a dress rehearsal with her dad for an upcoming performance. The song they're singing: "You Got a Friend in Me." (Which by the way, was planned long before this week's event was planned. Nice how things work out, huh?) Later watch as the kids organize the delivery of the letters from the hurricane survivors. Come with us on Tuesday as the TLC CEO delivers letters to her classmates who just wanted to lend a hand.

We will issue new releases as dates and times are confirmed.

Photos from the Field

2005-10-30T21:17:00.000-08:00

Right: RandomKids Grant, Talia, and Kayla on 12/01, not long after finding out that kids across America raised over $5 Million dollars for hurricane relief! More pictures from kids all around the country on the same call, coming soon.

By the way, you can support RandomKid (a non-profit) by purchasing one of our Random T-Shirts!
They are excellent quality, and come in individual eco-friendly cloth bags--printed and hand-packed in the USA. They can be delievered right to your door for just $19. Please click here if you'd like to buy one to SHOW YOUR RANDOMPRIDE and help RandomKid grow!

If you have any pictures you'd like to share of TLC / UNICEF trick-or-treaters, please email them to anne@aga-recruit.com. Please feel free to include any anecdotal information, like how much they raised, etc.

Above: Some kids in Waukee, IA getting ready to collect some major coin to help out people affected by the hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, and kids around the world!

Kids from Pineview School in Sarasota, FL collected A LOT of loose change by trick or treating! They raised $3,246.45! WAY TO GO!

At left: Henry from FL with hundreds of pounds of coins collected by his school for UNICEF! Way to go everyone!

This little mermaid on the left brought in quite a treasure! Thanks to Midwest Heritage Bank and Hy-Vee for letting the children come into the bank to see first-hand how much money they collected!

At Right, Talia in IA leads a conference call with kids around the USA just before trick or treating on Oct. 30, 2005. It was pretty cool to hear kids from NY, FL, ID, CA, WA, GA cheer us on in Iowa!

Here's Elizabeth in GA counting some major coin! She and her brother raised over $100 trick or treating for UNICEF!
At left, Max in CA on the same nationwide call as Talia, above. Max collected $75 on Halloween night!
Hey everybody, check out what Henry in FL accomplished!

Those wacky funsters above are none other than Anne, Talia, and Talia's mom Dana

T.L.C. Staff

2005-10-29T22:41:00.000-07:00

Attention Staff: You guys TOTALLY ROCKED! Thanks for great cheers on our national conference call and for all of your hard work! Please email anne@aga-recruit.com if you'd like to add new infomation about how trick-or-treating went (see Henry's page as an example). And please consider emailing pictures in for our photos from the field page.

Elizabeth L., 9 years old, Atlanta, GA--UNICEF True World Hero

Grant C., 6th grade, Waukee, IA--TLC Trick or Treater and the guy with the starting line!

Henry, fifth grade, FL--UNICEF True World Hero

Wilbur, first grade, NY--UNICEF True World Hero

Anne Ginther, young'ish mom in IA, TLC Advisor, Founder of Halloween Helpers

Update:

Kids in central Iowa are still bringing in their money they collected trick-or-treating Sunday night. So far, just one little town called Waukee has already brought in roughly $3500.00 to their local Hy-Vee store. If all 221 HyVee stores in their 7 state territory brought in the same amount, we'd have over $700,000! So if we're bringing in $100,000 per state, we can rake in FIVE MILLION across 50 states for hurricane relief!!! Let's make THAT our goal!

Hey kids, did you "hire" yourself yet? If not, check out the job board. Once you've decided what you're going to do, please email anne@aga-recruit.com and send us a "bio" that answers the following questions:

First Name, last initial, City, State

What's your personal (or team) goal for how much you want to collect for T.L.C.
hurricane relief?

What's your halloween costume going to be?

What did you do before T.L.C. became your life?

Role Models

Favorite T.L.C. Anecdotes (tell us about life "in the field!")

Favorite Quote

Trivial Tidbits

For safety reasons, we will not publish any personal identifying information. Please always be sure to have an adult just double check and make sure that you're staying safe on the Internet.

Elizabeth L., 9 years old, Atlanta, GA--UNICEF True World Hero

2005-10-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

Update:
Elizabeth and her brother personally collected $109.33! Outstanding!

And here's a breakdown of what her school, Trinity School in Atlanta collected:

Coins:
6.025 pennies
1,512 nickels
2,158 dimes
2,467 quarters
13 dollars

PLUS $936 in cash

The total amount: $1,923.40!!! OUTSTANDING! It's amazing what a bunch of loose change can do, isn't it? Even more amazing are the kids who go out there and get it to help out someone in need! Thanks guys!

First Name, Last Initial, City, State: Elizabeth L., Atlanta, GA

What's your personal (or team) goal for how much you want to collect for T.L.C. hurricane relief? $100 from personal Trick-or-Treating, helped organize Trinity School TOT program with a goal to raise $3,000.00

What's your Halloween costume going to be? Dorothy, and my dog Lucy will be the cowardly lion

What did you do before T.L.C. became your life? Student at Trinity School, Pet Lover, Artist.

Role Models: Hillary Duff, Skye Sweetnam

Favorite T.L.C. Anecdotes (tell us about life "in the field!"): I've learned that many people in the world are not as fortunate as we are.

Favorite Quote: Helping People is Contagious

Trivial Tidbits: I have a 6 year old brother named Griffin and I love to sing

Wilbur, first grader, NY, UNICEF True World Hero

2005-10-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

We're thrilled to have Wilbur join the TLC team! UNICEF has told us many wonderful things about him!

In response to the South Asian Tsunami of 2005, First grade New Yorker Wilbur asked his friends to bring money to donate to UNICEF instead of bringing presents for his birthday party. He said he was thinking of all that he had, and then thought about the children who had so little. Wilbur has been a yearly supporter of UNICEF through the Trick or Treat for UNICEF program. His generosity was inspired by a classmate who also asked for donations to UNICEF rather than gifts for her birthday, followed by a class trip to the United Nations in New York City. We think this generosity is pretty heroic for a first grader!

We're excited to have Wilbur call the TLC team in IA on Sunday night to give us some words of wisdom, a pep talk, and a count down to trick or treating! We can't wait to meet you, Wilbur!

The TLC Team

2005-10-20T14:37:00.000-07:00

T.L.C. Contacts
T.L.C. Executives
T.L.C. Staff

DONATE MONEY ONLINE HERE

2005-10-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

Donate on line using these links which have code that will automatically track your donation to the TLC Movement:

Click Here to donate to US Funds for UNICEF

Fifty Cents of every dollar contributed to UNICEF goes to helping children in the Gulf Coast region. The other half goes to helping children around the world, including the recently earthquake ravaged Pakistan.

Click here to donate to The American Red Cross

All amounts donated through this link to the American Red Cross go directly to help Gulf Coast hurricane survivors.

Alternatives to donating on-line:

1. Dropping off your donations:
*You may drop off your donations for UNICEF at any Coinstar location (in many major retailers) across the USA. To find the machine nearest you, click here.

*You may drop off your donations for the American Red Cross at any HyVee location in seven states and 221 stores.

2. Send in a check to any hurricane relief charity.
*Children and schools across the USA have selected a variety of reputable charities all related to hurricane relief. If you go this route, please send your check directly to the charity, and BE SURE TO CLICK ON THIS LINK TO REPORT IT HERE (no other way to track it).

Henry M, 5th grade, Osprey, Florida--UNICEF True World Hero

2005-10-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

Henry is a 5th grade student at the Pine View School for the Gifted in Osprey, Florida. As a long time supporter of UNICEF, with a mom who has been Trick or Treating for UNICEF since she was a child, Henry decided to initiate a school-wide Trick or Treat for UNICEF program at his school. He and his mom contacted Shannon Donovan, a teacher at Pine View School, to get permission and support to initiate what they hope will be a new tradition at Pine View. Henry has written a letter to his fellow students and put posters up around his school. He’s coordinating box distribution, collection, and his family is sponsoring a pizza party for the class with the "heaviest" Trick or Treat for UNICEF collection box. Kudos to Henry for his spirit, generosity, and organizational skills!

Henry is looking very PEACEFUL in holding his Trick or Treat for UNICEF box before hitting the neighborhoods!

An update on how Henry did with his trick-or-treating: Henry was included in the conference calls this weekend with TLC. He passed out 1000 UNICEF boxes at his school last week. We spent 3 hours processing Henry and Pine View’s trick-or-treat for UNICEF collection, and the final tally comes in at $3,246.45! It has been a wonderful experience for all, and Henry is ready to spearhead the project again next year! Way to go Henry and all the kids at Pineview School in Sarasota! You guys ROCK!

Grant C. Waukee, IA--TLC Trick-Or-Treater and the guy with the starting line!

2005-10-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

First Name, last initial, City, State
Grant C. Waukee, IA

What's your personal (or team) goal for how much you want to collect for T.L.C.
hurricane relief?
$35 personal goal !!

What's your halloween costume going to be?
I'm going as a boxer - anyone know any good boxing jokes? :)

What did you do before T.L.C. became your life?
I wasn't even going to go Trick or Treating this year (I'm in the 6th grade), but I thought this was a good cause to get out there!

Role Models
My Dad

Favorite T.L.C. Anecdotes (tell us about life "in the field!")
I'm really excited that Talia and all the national media are going to start Trick or Treating in my yard on Beggar's night!!

More Background on the Story

2005-10-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

TLC Timeline

August 29: Hurricane Katrina hits central Gulf Coast

August 31: Anne Ginther posts "Halloween Helpers" blog to rally
youth of America to trick-or-treat for hurricane relief

September 4: 10 year old Talia Leman independently writes up
"The Plan" for hurricane survivors--faxes to HyVee.

HyVee backs her with 8.5 million trick or treat bags
across 221 stores in 7 states.

September 9: First local television news story airs on WOI-TV 10:00 pm news.

September 17: Leman on front page of Des Moines Register.
TV stations across Iowa pick-up story.

September 18: Ginther introduces herself to Lemans. They join
forces, later to discover they live just one street
away from each other.

September 19: The 10 year old and two moms divide up the 50 states and begin an email campaign to schools across the USA to raise one million, per Talia's plan. Schools respond enthusiastically. Some Superintendents opt to collect loose change in lieu of trick-or-treating, others ask if they can roll their current hurricane relief efforts into this national tally. TLC broadens into a "rally and report" kids' movement for hurricane relief.

Soon after the regional Red Cross gets inundated with phone
calls from around the nation. TLC is referred to the national
Red Cross Headquarters.

September 20: Newspapers across the country start to pick-up
Des Moines Register article from the ap wire. Calls for interviews
come into the Leman home from around the nation.

September 30: Team TLC Builds their Headquarters office in Leman house.
WHO-TV airs story that is later picked up by MSNBC. Click on the link
and type "trick or treat" in Video Search.

October 3: $182,000 raised within 2 weeks of our email campaign. Team TLC
realize they will far surpass the original goal of one
million.

October 4: Students at The Academy in Des Moines, and
Eason Elementary in Waukee, write letters and color
pictures for kids in the Gulf Coast shelters.

Wal-Mart donates $1600 worth of gift cards. TLC
kids shop for kids in shelters.

October 5: TLC Advisors Anne Ginther (IA) and Gretchen
Hansen (MN) leave to work with children in two
shelters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana through
October 10th.

They hand deliver the letters along with items
purchased by TLC kids.

Children in shelters write back.

October 6: MSNBC starts running WHO-TV's story round the
clock.

October 7, 8: TLC Advisors hold "TLC Job Fair" for children in
shelter to take a TLC job (jobs posted on
TLC website) and help with the effort.

TLC total climbs to $239, 641.27

October 8: TODAY SHOW comes to Waukee. Mom, Dana Leman,
flanked by 6 year old "Chief Operating Nemesis" and
10 year old CEO, talks with Lester Holt.

October 12: Ginther hand delivers letters from children in shelters
to children at The Academy.

October 14: Iowa Governor Vilsack holds press conference.
Promises Talia he'll ask all the governors across USA
to get word out about TLC. Talia gives the governor a
handwritten thank you note. Stationary courtesy of 6
year old TLC Artist Jonathan in a Baton Rouge
Shelter.

October 17: Resolution passed by City of Waukee to recognize
Talia for her accomplishments in her efforts to assist
those left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. Talia
receives standing ovation.

October 17: TLC tally totals over $500,000

October 20: UNICEF announces Talia as their "NATIONAL YOUTH AMBASSADOR" for her outstanding work.

October 21: TLC on Front Page of Des Moines Register

October 21: Governor sends out letter to all governors across the
USA, and their press secretaries, in support of TLC.

October 22: TLC children in Waukee participate in costume
parade as part of "Wauktoberfest"

Talia co-hosts with Lt. Governor Sally Pederson at a
Benefit Event for Iowa’s Gulf States Relief Fund, and
sings at the event, too.

October 25: HyVee hosts a kick-off Halloween Party for TLC

October 28: Talia is interviewed live on CNN American Morning--broadcast nationwide.

October 30: Beggars night. Talia goes out to raise money. Night
culminates in BIG BASH at Westlakes Hy-Vee. See TLC trick or Treating on TV: http://www.whotv.com/global/category.asp?c=51406 then scroll down to "TLC Hurricane Relief" to click on and play the video!

October 31: Halloween! Numbers start coming in from last night's trick-or-treating.
TLC is on the front page of the Des Moines Register with their latest news.

November 1: Talia and TLC are featured on NPR (move the time up to about 43 minutes into the segment) across the nation.

The TLC total now hovers just under $700,000. Team TLC decides not to report any more numbers until December 1.

November 5: Mac McCoy of WQW FM invitesTalia to continue to do goodworks for the community by offering her a regular radio spot on his program to benefit the Animal Rescue League. He calls the radio spot "TLC"—Talia Leman's Critters.

November 9: Trying to figure out a way to respond to the evolution of TLC, and carry the tally forward past Halloween, Anne brainstorms the RANDOMKID.ORG concept. This website would allow kids to not only continue to "rally, tally, and tell" for hurricane relief, but to also reach out to the world in other ways. Team TLC decides unanimously to dissolve TLC into RANDOMKID.ORG on December 1st.

November 10: Anne registers the RANDOMKID domain.

November 11: Anne trademarks the RANDOMKID name.

November 18: Talia decides, now as a RANDOMKID who wants to continue to reach out, to design a product to benefit children in need everywhere. The product is an Italian modular link PEACE BRACELET, featuring charms of flags from areas of conflict and suffering (Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, China, Bangladesh, Iran, etc.) She intermixes with the charms international symbols for peace, harmony and balance. She works with the vendor to arrange to have him sell the bracelet at a discounted rate for children (half-price), with 50% of all profits going to benefit vulnerable children in these countries through UNICEF.

November 19: UNICEF arranges for Talia to go to Houston to visit with hurricane survivors. Talia begins an on-line diary for UNICEF of her experiences.

December 1: Final TLC Press Conference. 4000 schools have now reported in numbers. On a conference call with schools across the nation, TLC CEO Talia Leman willl conduct a meeting at which, for the first time ever, a number will be released for how much kids across the country have raised for huricane relief. Only our volunteer mom accountant knows the number.

Hy-Vee gives a check for $250,000 in recognition of the efforts of TLC.

When we announced the number, we did it backwards, starting with cents, because every penny counts. After we found out we had over $200,000, we wanted to know if there was a "one" in the "million dollar slot"-- our accounant said no. So the kids across the country yelled on the call, "Tracey, Is there a TWO?" No. "Tracey, is there at THREE?" No.

At this point Talia panics and whispers to her mom, "Mom, what if there's NO number in that slot? What if we didn't MAKE a million?"

The kids continued, "Is there a FOUR?" No. At this point our jaws drop. Talia, Anne and Dana didn't want to know the number. They wanted to be as surprised as everyone else. We were floored when we heard that kids across the USA raised $5,234,735.88 in just three months for hurricane relief! We're hoping to have an MP3 file available of that countdown on the RandomKid site soon.

December 2: The Press Telegram in Long Beach, CA publishes a story about Gompers Elementary Students participating in this historic event. GREAT picture included!

The Idaho Statesman publishes a story about Koelsch Elementary students on the call. Another great photo!!

Please be sure to email anne@aga-recruit.com if you see more stories in your community!

Talia Leman, Anne Ginther and Dana Leman's plans for a long nap were gladly sidelined by numerous calls of well-wishes.

Talia is interviewed on ABC News Now that evening.

December 3: Dana's up at 3:45 am and Talia not long after. The Today Show is coming to their house by around 4:00 am for a 6:45 am Live shot. Dana, Talia, and Zander do a great job with Anne cheering them on in the background.

TLC Making Waves

2005-10-15T06:18:00.000-07:00

October 14, 2005
TLC's 10-year-old CEO met with Iowa Governor Vilsack.

Talia to Governor Vilsack: "Kids hang out with kids, right?"

Governor Vilsack: "Right."

Talia: "Well, I figure that Governors hang out with Governors, right?"

Governor Vilsack: "Right."

Talia: "Well, I know you're really busy, but I want to give you one more job. I want you to contact all the Governors across the United States of America, and let them know what kids in the Midwest are doing."

The Governor graciously obliged, saying he'd write every Governor in the USA a letter, urging them to get the word out about TLC's great Kids' Movement to make a big difference with hurricane disaster relief.

October 17, 2005

The City of Waukee issued a resolution Recognizing The Accomplishments of Talia Leman in her Efforts to Assist Those Left Homeless by Hurricane Katrina.

Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Mertz read the resolution aloud and from the heart. There were tears and cheers... and a standing ovation! It appeared to be the first time that Talia noticed that she was getting noticed. :)

By a TLC artist from The Academy in Des Moines, IA.

A letter of support from the Governor of Washington, below.

Even Dr. Evil recognized TLC's oustanding efforts to raise...
ONE MILLION DOLLARS! After coming over the the good side, he said he's giving up Hot Pockets for a year to contribute to hurricane relief!

Pen Pals -- Letters between children who want to help and those who need the help--Plus a TLC mom /advisor's emails from the shelters in Louisiana

2005-10-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

By TLC Artist Kenshondra, Age 10, Istrouma Baptist Church Shelter, Baton Rouge, LA

These are just a few of the letters and pictures that were exchanged between children in Iowa who want to help hurricane survivors and children in a Gulf Coast Shelter. TLC advisor / moms Anne Ginther (IA) and Gretchen Hansen (MN) went to the River Center and Istrouma Baptist Church shelters in Baton Rouge, LA. Anne Ginther hand delivered the survivors' responses (a few pictured below) on October 12th at The Academy in Des Moines, IA and Eason Elementary in Waukee, IA. We are exploring the idea of making a book out of this exchange with a portion of the proceeds going toward the TLC movement/charities. Who better to explain to kids what it's like to be in a hurricane than kids? Please see the comments below all the artwork from Anne, written while she was working the shelters in Baton Rouge.

Dear Friends,

Thank you for sending this letter. It makes me think about what you said. But I know you all are happy that there aren't any hurricanes where you are. And I really appreciate you caring about me and my family and I wish you all good luck. But I did not lose any of my family members. And here is a joke: What did the cow say to the chicken? MOO-VE out of my way.

Sincerely,

Lyneisha

(She's TLC Artist Kenshondra's sister)

Jermanyne (who wrote the letter below) is pictured above with his brothers and TLC Mom / Advisors Gretchen Hansen and Anne Ginther. They were a lot of fun. James (one of Jermayne's brothers above) is hilarious! And he sure did love the M&Ms that the TLC children in Iowa bought for him with the donation from Wal-Mart!

Dear Nick,

I was asleep. The window shattered. I got a cut on my arm. Momma woke us up. I was a little sleepy. Then I was scared. All the windows on the house were busted. I was at my auntie's house and Katrina blew my house away.

I went back to see my house--the only thing left was the floor, the washing machine and dryer and two rooms. I didn't get any of my stuff. My sister wanted her shoes but her room was messed up. The big screen TV got wet. We put mattresses by the window.

I go to school here--in the 6th grade. I like it at the shelter... but not school.
-Jermayne

by a TLC Artist in Iowa

It says: "Don't worry--My dad has an idea."
By a TLC Artist in Kindergarten at Eason Elementary, Waukee, Iowa

An excerpt from a 14 year old girl's letter from a Baton Rouge Shelter:

I'm glad you are writing to me. I feel better with these letters. I feel like I have a new friend.

TLC Artist, Wilson T. drew the above picture. He also wrote the letter below. I have also transcribed it below:

Dear Survivor,

I've never experienced what you have and I hope I never will. Having everything you love torn away from you in a rush of water... I can only imagine. But I bet you're sick of hearing "I'm sorry" because how can being "sorry" help if the person does nothing? I believe that it is the obligation of those who "have but don't need" to give to those who "need but don't have." So I'm offering my help; OUR help. My school has started a program called the TLC, it stands for Trick or treat for Levee Catastrophe. On Halloween we are going to trick or treat for funds instead of candy for money to help.

Sincerely,

Wilson T.

The above "stationary" was made by a 6 year old TLC artist in a Baton Rouge shelter. TLC's CEO used it to write a thank-you letter to Iowa's Governor for his support. Governor Vilsack now has it proudly displayed on his fridge.

By a TLC Artist/Writer in a Baton Rouge shelter

The following are some excerpts from a letter written by a 10-year-old in one of the shelters in Louisiana:

The hurricane was spooky. I was in the project. The roof came off the project and the rain came in. And we thought the water would come to the door. We had to put the baby in a bucket and I walked through the water to the Winn Dixie (store). It got broken in to. I was sad.

...There are MP (Military Police--actually National Guard) Men with guns. They make me feel sad and scared. Just because they have guns. But some of them are nice. One of them gave my friend a Dr. Pepper.

... Thank you for the letter.

By TLC Artist Kayla, The Academy, Iowa

By TLC Artist Annie, Eason Elementary, Iowa

By TLC artist Katie, Eason Elementary, Iowa

More letters and comments to come.

Permissions to publish your artwork and/or pictures

2005-10-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

Please print out this slip and have your parents sign it if you'd like to have any of your work published on this website or elsewhere to spread the word about TLC.

You may also email anne@aga-recruit.com to request the slip in a MSWord doc format.

Child / Artist / Author name:

Age:

Address (not for publication or distribution, simply for us to be able to contact you):

Parent's name, email and/or phone number:

(This first part below is if you want to send us a photo of yourself in costume and/or doing a TLC project and/or media event)

You have my permission to allow photographers (video or still) to take pictures/video of my child either close up (portrait-like) or in a group of children. You may use this media for the purposes of getting the word out about the TLC kid-movement (i.e. magazines, television, newspaper, website, books, etc)

_______ Yes _______No If you check no, we will make special accommodations for your child.

Artwork/Photo/Letter Release
By signing this release, you acknowledge the following:
T.L.C. Coordinators Dana Lehman and Anne Ginther may submit these materials in whole or in part to various publications at their discretion. If original artwork is submitted by the artist and is accepted for publication by any of the publishers working with T.L.C., the following is warranted:
The artwork submitted is the artist’s own work;
T.L.C. does not owe the artist any compensation or royalties now or in the future.
To protect children's privacy, only the first name, last initial, city and state will be published along with the work.

The Work will be any picture or letter created by the artist for children affected by the hurricane disasters of 2005.

_____________________________________________________________________
Artist's name (we will only use first name, last initial, school, state)

_______________________________________________
Parent’s Signature and date

Team Reporter

2005-10-06T04:14:00.000-07:00

Can you picture yourself on the scene at a TLC event, reporting via print or broadcast about what the TLC kids are up to? Then we may have a job for you!

Please email anne@aga-recruit.com and tell us why you'd make a great reporter. We can't make any promises, but we'll do our best to hook you up with a media mentor to help you do your story in your hometown!

In the subject of the email, please put: TLC Reporter.

URGENT NEED--LITERARY AGENT

2005-10-06T02:24:00.000-07:00

Update October 7, 2005

We couldn't turn something around with a publisher fast enough, so we are reproducing the materials with the help of various office/copy centers. We've scanned many of the letters, and hope to have them all scanned before they're distributed. We have permission slips signed to reprint their artwork and/or letters in full or in part for publications in magazines, books, etc. Those parents who have not signed a slip yet may still do so, but we will keep items without permissions seperate from those that have permissions, so as to be sure they aren't published in any way until the parents have signed off.

October 3, 2005

2:28 a.m.

My partner and I have a project that needs to be turned around within 24-48 hours, and we need a seasoned professional like you to help us pull it off. Some people might say it's impossible. But in the last week we've learned that anything's possible. Forgive me if this letter doesn't fit the rules of a traditional query. It's past midnight, and I'm preparing to embark on a national media frenzy in the next couple of days.

It's about kids, anyway. And kids make up the rules as they go along.

I am THRILLED to be working on a campaign designed by kids to empower kids to make a HUGE impact in helping The American Red Cross get closer to raising the projected $2 Billion dollars needed specifically for Hurricane Survivors' immediate needs. Right now the Red Cross doesn't even have half of what they need. Our campaign is called T.L.C., which stands for "Trick or Treat for the Levee Catastrophe (AKA "Trick or Treat for Loose Change")" Those aren't typos, that's how the 10-year-old Founder and CEO wants it.

Our grassroots effort has caught fire across the nation. Even the world! We just had our first donation from Israel! We have raised over $150,000 in one week. Our goal is to raise one million dollars by November first. Secretly, the two moms behind the campaign think we can get it considerably higher, one nickel at a time.

As part of our overall campaign, we're launching the "You've Got a Friend in Me" week. Here's where the book idea comes in:

FUNdraisers (children ages 5 - 13) will write letters to the children who need the FUNds. The letters will be hand delivered by me to children in a shelter on the Gulf Coast. The hurricane survivors will write back. Little ones will color pictures. Friendships will ignite.

We see a couple of book possibilities out of this:
*A book consisting of the letters between the children
*A children's book conceived and illustrated by the hurricane survivors telling a story of what it's like to live through this experience.

I'm a mom of twin 5 year old girls. I've struggled with how to explain to them what this hurricane stuff is all about. Who better to explain it to a child, then children who have lived through it?

Our sense of urgency is this: We need to partner with a publisher who can very quickly (within the next couple of days) work with us to copy all the letters that will be going back and forth over the next week, so that there's not much lag time to get them to their intended recipients. Here are two links to give you a little more background: http://halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/2005/10/media-alerts.html, http://halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/2005/09/urgent-need-jet-or-seats-on-commercial.html.

We are having all parents fill out permissions to release artwork and letters to us for this purpose. I hope you'll understand that given our time constraints, we are contacting a few select agents all at once.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Anne Ginther
515-226-3357 office

anne@aga-recruit.com

CC. Dana Leman, my partner on this T.L.C. adventure, and the mother of T.L.C.'s founder.

Team Photographer

2005-10-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Do you like to take pictures? Then this is the job for you.

On this job, we'll need to email you a permission slip from the parent of the person in the photograph... so just let us know, and we'll email you the slip. You have them sign it and put it in the mail to us (we'll give you an address with the permission slip).

We will publish only first names, last initial, TLC Team name (or school name), city and state. Be assured, the TLC executives and their advisors will keep a keen eye on what you're doing. If National Geographic Magazine calls saying they want to hire the brilliant photographer who shot that TLC photo... we'll be sure to contact you and your parents! :)

So if you're interested in this job, please email TLC Advisor Anne Ginther (anne@aga-recruit.com) and she'll hook you up with the info you need to publish your photos on our site!

THE NUMBERS--THE IMPACT

2005-10-01T11:45:00.000-07:00

An estimated 40-50 Million children trick-or-treat in the USA every year.

If 17 million kids ( 1 out of 3) collect 2 dollars each, we will have 30 million.

If 10 million (1 out of every five kids) collect only $2.00, we will have 20 million.

If 5 million (1 out of 10) collect only 2.00, we will have 10 million.

IF 50 MILLION kids collect just $1.00, we will have 50 million,
and $2.00 will bring 100 MILLION!!

IMAGINE! The POWER of CHILDREN!

------------------------------------------
The National American Red Cross estimates that there are roughly 900,000 children in shelters as a direct result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

(If 900,000 kids collected $1.00 for 900,000 kids, we'd already have $900,000!!)

8.5 Million bags with the T.L.C. logo donated by Hy-Vee to 7 state region
221 Hy-Vee stores that will collect donations on Halloween nigh
$2 billion needed to meet immediate disaster needs
$871,000,000 currently raised through the ARC (?)
$559,411.97 raised one nickel at a time by kids and schools across America--all reported in to TLC's National Kids' Movement in just under a month!
T.L.C.'s goal is to collect $1 million, minimum! We expect to go much higher.
This is the first time in history that the USA has asked UNICEF for help given the recent gulf coast devastation by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

T.L.C.'s Wish List

2005-09-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

We've had calls from all over the country. Everyone wants to help. They just want to know how they can help. Here's how:

KIDS! Pick out a job and help us reach our goal of One Million Dollars one coin at a time! Have your mom or dad be an advisor, recruit your friends to help.

If you can help with any of the following items, please contact Anne Ginther at 515-226-3357 or email anne@aga-recruit.com.

National Retail Outlets--Take a cue from Hy-Vee. Throw some orange dye in your bag production, put a T.L.C. logo on them (which includes trick or treat safety tips), and offer a safe place for kids to come when they're done trick or treating to drop off their money.

A Logistics person who can help us deal with the donations from corporations, etc.

Dory! Yep! This is a personal shout out to Ellen Degeneres. Talia, the 10 year old with the plan would like to brain storm with you on how you might be able to help our cause.

Someone who can help us produce a book or two about all that the kids have accomplished in 2005 to help with Hurricane Disaster Relief!

Creative / Art

2005-09-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

This is something EVERYONE can do! If you like to color, YOU can be on the creative / art team!

Just coloring a picture on a piece of paper is all you need to do.

Your communications team can use that as stationary:

Send thank you notes to those who helped your team.
Send letters to kids in shelters (we can help hook you up--make sure the letters get to where they need to go)

Do you like PUFFY PAINT?

Make t-shirts for your team... create a team name/logo

Heck, I know some 5 year olds who made some awesomely one-of-a-kind t-shirts with their own signature style! :)

If you would like any of your work to be considered for publication (on our site or other media appropriate for the promotion of this TLC kids-movement) please be sure to have your parents sign a permission slip and send it in to us.

Please post other ideas in the comments section.

The TLC Executives

2005-09-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

Talia Leman, age 10, Founder and CEO of T.L.C.

Zander Leman, age 6, Chief Operating Nemesis (CON) of TLC

Zander Leman, age 6, Chief Operating Nemesis (CON) of TLC

2005-09-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Why you're NOT involved in T.L.C.

"Because I like candy. If they want to give me something else, too, they can give me more candy."

What did you do before T.L.C. became your life?

"I played with Talia more, but I like her map!"

Trivial Tidbits

"I think we should trick-or-treat for pirate relief. I would like to see a real pirate. I think they might be in danger of going extinct."

Talia Leman, age 10, Founder and CEO of T.L.C.

2005-09-30T01:13:00.000-07:00

Why you're involved in T.L.C.

"I'm involved in TLC because they need our help. They are human beings and we are human beings, and in that way we are connected."

What did you do before T.L.C. became your life?

"I used to have a lot of after school activities, but I am not doing them now so I can take care of TLC. I go to a small school and I'm in 5th grade. My favorite subject is literature. My activities normally are piano, fencing, tap, ballet, horseback riding, soccer and classical voice lessons. I LOVE to sing, do projects, and read."

Role Models

Rosa Parks
Jane Goodall

Favorite T.L.C. Anecdotes

"A 13 year old girl from Idaho named Destiny called me from Idaho to ask how she could help. She didn't have an email or a computer, so we couldn't show her any stuff on our website, but she goes to school and is on a volleyball team, so she is going to help get her school and friends to help. Trick or treating is the best way to help, anyway!"

"A girl, maybe a grown-up, from the deep south emailed me, "You go girl! I'm proud of you!" which made me happy, because we will be able to maybe help her."

"A girl named "Talia" who is my age and lives in Israel sent me an email that she wants to help and send money. Now I need a new map—one of the whole world!"

Favorite Quote

"You don't have to be a grown-up, or have money to help. All you have to do is want to help."

Trivial Tidbits

" I'm a vegetarian. I like to swim, surf and ski. I have two pet gerbils, Bella and Ralphie, a cinnamon pied white-face cockatiel named 'Pomia' that wears a diaper and lives on my shoulder, and a part time dog. I like to wear my hair in looped braids like my German Omi did when she was my age. I like American girl dolls. I like musicals. I like Bob Dylan, the Beatles and Simon and Garkunkle. I'm reading the 'Series of Unfortunate Events' right now, but I usually have more than one book going."

Update on how Talia did trick-or-treating: She ran it like a race—she probably went to 60-70 houses in about an hour. The camera people and the security officer assigned to her could hardly keep up. The photographers were running with their tripods and finally implored her to let them get just one house ahead of her, just one time, so they could get a good shot.
She collected exactly $302.58!

Anne Ginther, young'ish mom, TLC Advisor, Founder of Halloween Helpers

2005-09-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

Pictured above: TLC Advisor / Moms Anne Ginther (third from left) Gretchen Hansen (2nd from right) with some HILARIOUS Red Cross Volunteers in Baton Rouge.
Why you're involved in T.L.C.

In the wake of such devastation, I had to do something. I launched the "Halloween Helpers" website on August 31st inspired by a successful trick or treating charity campaign I ran a couple of years ago. I began to put out the word. A couple of weeks later, I saw a newspaper article about Talia's idea. I called her up. We joined forces. And MAN!!! What a force! I am honored to be a part of this wonderful campaign. Talia's a great boss.

What did you do before T.L.C. became your life?

I am a high-tech recruiter. I have run my own recruiting firm for eight years now and I love it. Although, I must admit, what I'm doing with TLC is thrilling. If any non-profits need a high-energy mom to help change the world through kids, let me know. You may have a taker! :)

I have done quite a bit of volunteer work with kids over the years: Junior Achievement, Church Youth Group leader, the works. I love helping kids find the value in themselves. It is wonderful to be able to empower them to change the world!

Role Models
Oprah Winfrey
Bono

There are many more. But these two come to mind because they seem to love what they do, and they give so much back to the world.

Favorite T.L.C. Anecdotes

When we were first realizing just how much TLC was catching on, we had a goal meeting session. We brainstormed. We discussed the telethon idea in her plan. We threw out talk-show ideas. I tell her to shoot for the moon. If she can have anyone she wants to help with a TLC event, who would she pick? I've got a whole list running through my mind… Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed Peas, U2, OutKast, Kanye West, Green Day, Jessica Simpson, Hilary Duff, fellow Iowan Ashton Kutcher, and then of course there's Ellen, Oprah, Regis, Tony Danza, Letterman, Leno And so many more!

Talia's answer? Jane Goodall and Rosa Parks.

I LOVE IT!

She is the coolest kid. She is so smart and self confident. Most of the time I forget she's only ten-years-old. I swear that if you were blindfolded in a room with us, you'd think my child-like enthusiasm was from the 10-year-old CEO, and her poised comments were from an adult.

Favorite Quote

"You must be the change in the world that you wish to see." -- Mahatma Gandhi

Trivial Tidbits

I'm writing a book. And with those four little words, I've just "outted" myself. I was writing under a pen-name for reasons explained on my book's site, but just recently revealed my full identity to my biological family. So now they know. Now you know.

I'm looking forward to celebrating with Gwen Stefani and the Black Eyed Peas in MN on 11/14 when this is all over. OK, I'll just be a random person in the crowd, but I can't wait! :)

I'm also a wife and a mom to a wonderful family--they've always been supportive when I go off on these wild projects!

Project Manager

2005-09-29T19:43:00.000-07:00

A Project Manager can manage a group of kids' fundraising efforts in any area.

You can be as creative as you want to be.

"Hire" a recruiter--a kid who can get a hold of a lot of other kids to help.

Set goals

How much money do you want to raise?
Do you want to have a party or a central location for your team to meet after you're done trick or treating?
Do you have creative ideas on other ways to raise money in October? One 12 year old girl told us she's going to collect pop cans, and use the money from that toward the t.l.c. goal.
Delegate tasks to your team members (see other jobs for ideas on what your team members can do)
Other ideas
More to come... we're just scratching the surface! Please feel free to post comments here.

Thanks to Kaylee Hansen, age 17, in St. Paul, MN and her mom Gretchen for inspiring this idea. Kaylee wants to help. She's excited about organizing. And as we talked about it she said, "This would be a good thing to put on a college application some day." You BET it would! Go Kaylee!

Jobs for Kids

2005-09-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

You don't need to have a finance degree.

You don't have to be a public speaker.

You especially don't need to be a grown up.

(although you definitely DO need a grown-up's okay on the project you choose!)

All you need is to be the wonderfully unique person you are to help us show the world that KIDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

We've posted a few ideas here. More to come. And if you have a cool idea, please post it in the comments section. Maybe some kid on the other side of the country will read your post and think, "Hey, I can do that!"

Go Team!

TRICK OR TREAT!

You can use your OWN BAG, use the orange UNICEF box, or grab an orange trick-or-treat bag from any Hy-Vee grocery store. Instructions on what to do with your money are here.

We have much more to come! Please check back soon!

Once you've hired yourself, we better put you on our staff directory!

While these jobs don't offer a paycheck, they do offer some valuable experience that you'll remember for a lifetime!

By a TLC Artist from The Academy in Des Moines, IA

REPORT YOUR COLLECTED MONEY HERE

2005-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

To report donations that went in the form of checks directly to a specific hurricane-relief charity, please scroll to the bottom of comments and click on "Post a Comment."

In this box, please put the following:

Your name
Your group's name
Your city and state
How much you or your group raised
Email address or phone number, or send a seperate email with your contact information to anne@aga-recruit.com if you'd like to receive future communications from T.L.C.

*Do NOT post anything here if you donated one of the following ways (as they are automatically tallied already): Hy-Vee store drop off, On-line through our website, UNICEF via COINSTAR. However, you are more than welcome to post a message of support by clicking this link and posting a comment on this page.

Under "Choose an Identity" click on "other" and put your name or your group's name, city and state.

And if your group has a website, please put leave that in the "your web page" section.

Thank you kids across the world. You ARE making a difference!

Be sure to refresh your webpage when you visit again, for the latest "not-so-scientific" tally. For alternative ways to donate $$ please click here.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD

2005-09-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

We can only make our ONE MILLION DOLLAR GOAL with your help. Please consider adding this to your email signature for the next month:

Do you know of any kids who want to help hurricane survivors? Have them check out www.halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com to learn how they can support a national effort created by a 10 year old that culminates this Halloween.

Copy the letter below (updated 10/17/05) and email it to anyone who can help with this effort: Trick-or-Treaters, Community Leaders (Principals, Superintendents, Teachers, Faith Organization Leaders), Media, etc.

As seen on the TODAY SHOW (10-8-05) and MSNBC (10-6-05)

(See links below)

Children across the nation are tallying together how much money they are raising for hurricane relief.

GOAL: ONE MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE

The Governor of Iowa, Tom Vilsack, has acknowledged the efforts of this project, and has sent information about this endeavor to the Governors of all 50 states. This project was the brain-child of a 10-year old from Waukee, Iowa. She conceived of this idea as a Halloween fundraiser where children would Trick or Treat for Loose Change (T.L.C.). Some schools opted to collect loose change prior to Halloween by having kids bring in coins from home, while other schools have come up with their own creative fundraising efforts. At the end of the day, all schools and kids who have contacted TLC thus far said they wanted their success to be counted toward the national success of all children across America who want to help with hurricane relief.

PLEASE REPORT HOW MUCH YOUR SCHOOL OR DISTRICT HAS RAISED BY LINKING UP TO THIS WEBSITE:
http://halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com
Click on the link (below the pumpkin logo) that reads:
"Report your collected money here"

If your school or district is still collecting coins for T.L.C., or participating in T.L.C. on Halloween night, please report using any of the following methods:

Have schools collect the funds and turn over a check to any reputable charity of your choice. We are recommending UNICEF and the American Red Cross.

Turn in your loose change to any COINSTAR location (see www.coinstar.com for locations nearest you), and be sure to designate it to UNICEF. Trick or Treat for UNICEF will be donating to hurricane relief this year, and will tally any money turned into them toward the T.L.C. effort, and report it for you. For more info, please visit this link: http://www.unicefusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=duLRI8O0H&b=131717.
All money must be reported by November 6, 2005.

Thank you for your participation!

We salute your students, and the power of children everywhere, to make a difference!

--Anne Ginther and Dana Leman
T.L.C. Staff

Link to MSNBC newsreel:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?f=msn-l
Type in "Trick or Treat" then click on the thumbnail image. Video will play after a brief advertisement.

Link to the Des Moines Register front page article:
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050917/NEWS08/509170335/1001

Link to T.L.C. website:
http://www.halloweenhelpers.blogspot.com/

You may also get the message out by simply forwarding a link to this page. All you have to do is click on the little envelope icon with the arrow on it--on the bottom right hand page of this post--and then type in the recipient's email address. Thanks for spreading the word!

The Letter That Started It All

2005-09-27T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is the plan that was drawn up by a 10-year-old girl in Waukee, IA. She faxed it to HyVee and the next thing you know, she has corporate sponsorship and media attention! The "telethon" idea hasn't gone anywhere yet. But she's thrilled that the word is getting out and that kids want to help!

T.L.C. Contacts

2005-09-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Nancy Berg, TLC Media Communications
j2nberg@mchsi.com
515-778-5326

Dana Leman T.L.C. Coordinator d.leman@mchsi.com
Anne Ginther T.L.C. Advisor, Halloween Helpers Founder anne@aga-recruit.com

Introducing Halloween Helpers for Katrina Victims

2005-09-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

It's August 31st.

We're just starting to realize

the magnitude of the devastation

that Katrina left behind.

I want to do something.

I think you do, too.

This blog is my rally cry to the Youth of the World

You CAN make a difference!

I'm organizing an effort to

"Trick or Treat for Victims of Hurricane Katrina."

Kids who are starting to get "too old" to trick or treat now have an excuse to get out there and do it again. They can trick or treat for the greater good. Collect money for the Red Cross. I'm betting that anyone who's willing to give a check to the Red Cross might have a piece of candy or two for the kid, too.

In the coming weeks, I'll be posting announcements on how to organize this effort within your youth group or neighborhood.

I'll have a permanent link to the Red Cross here on my blog. Right now officials say the best thing we can do is stay out of the area, and donate money.

9/07/05 Please note: The next couple of weeks I'm focusing on some of the immediate needs of the survivors of Katrina. More information regarding Halloween Helpers will be posted as we get closer to Halloween, but we want to start getting the word out now, so we can have as much participation as possible. Thanks for stopping by.

Getting Ready for the Big Event

2005-09-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

We remind trick-or-treaters that you may have to comply with state or local rules regarding door-to-door charitable solicitations.

This message is geared toward some of the youth group leaders who have contacted me, but obviously you can use these ideas no matter the size of your group.

Right now you may want to put it on your events calendar and start thinking through local logistics. It's really up to you, the youth group leader, how you want to coordinate locally.

Some suggested ideas to consider:

Do you want to provide transportation for kids to get to different neighborhoods? If so, you'll need to arrange for the transportation and have parents sign permission slips. (While it might be fun for them to go in groups, it probably makes more sense for them to go with just a couple of friends).

Coordination of locations to "trick or treat." Don't over think this one. Simply remind the group that we want to avoid hitting the same house twice. So if several kids in your group live in the same neighborhood, they should talk amongst themselves and figure out who will cover which houses. (Nice way to promote teamwork!)

Halloween is on a Monday night this year. A school night. You might want to consider designating trick or treat times earlier, allowing time for the trick or treaters to drop off the money at a central location after they're done (all money needs to be turned in that night to avoid kids losing it, etc.).

Obviously, you'll need to have someone at a central location to collect all the money. Could be fun to make it feel a little like an open house... have some decorations up, perhaps use a white board as a "tote board" tallying up the donations, and perhaps highlighting the biggest amount collected thus far.

Consider bringing your parishioners into the mix. Encourage them to spread the word, and let them know that checks to the Red Cross are highly preferred. Ask them to donate a prize for most $$ collected, or best costume (you could take Polaroid's when they come in with the $$ and have your community vote the following weekend). Or perhaps they donate small special gifts--one to be given to each trick-or-treater who brings in $$.
Then I'd ask you, or whomever you designate as the main coordinator, to email or call me that night with how much money was collected, so that I may post it on the blog. If you can email photos, I'll try to get them up on the blog, too. I'll need to know who collected the most money to be entered in the national contest (still thinking of an iPod as the prize).

I'll ask that you or someone you know take any cash and write a check to the Red Cross for that amount. Then stick all checks to the Red Cross in the mail directly to them. More details and address on this later.

Consider talking it up now. Hopefully word will spread and more people in your community and neighboring communities will join in.

I'll be adding more information to the blog as we get closer to Halloween. And I certainly welcome any ideas you care to share.

Thanks so much. From previous experience, this should be a fun time and help a great cause!

Some schools have been putting a "T.L.C." bucket in their main office. Their students and staff dump their loose change in from time to time. Some schools have already mailed checks in to the American Red Cross as a part of the TLC effort. THANK YOU! IMPORTANT REMINDER: The Red Cross does not have the resources to track each TLC check. So please, contact anne@aga-recruit.com or d.leman@mchsi.com or leave a comment on our "Not So Scientific Tally" page and let us know how much you raised.

Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters, Iowa Halloween Trivia & Jokes!

2005-09-04T23:06:00.000-07:00

Safety Tips:

*Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks - not in the street.

*Cross the street only at intersections or crosswalks.

*Use a flashlight to see better and to be better seen. Place strips of reflective tape on your costume.

*Travel in groups of four or five. Young children should be accomanied by an adult.

*Visit homes that have the porch light on, and do not enter the homes.

Artwork by TLC Artist Reyna, The Academy, IA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Halloween in Central Iowa

We have a strange tradition central Iowa that finds trick-or-treaters on the candy trail the night before Halloween. They call this night "Beggars' Night." I'm not sure where the name came from. But this is how I learned about Beggars' Night:

It was the night before Halloween. The door bell rang. Who could it be? We were new to the area. We didn't know anyone. I opened the door. Imagine my shock and horror when I saw expectant children dressed as Elmo and a Fireman! To further compound my confusion, the children didn't say "Trick or Treat." Instead, these little costumed cutties offered up a riddle:

"Why was the ghost crying?"

Huh?

"Come on... guess... why was the ghost crying?"

I'm still wondering why you're even at my door!

"Because he had a BOO BOO!!!!"

I quickly learned that another tradition in central Iowa is that you have to tell a joke of some sort in order to earn your candy.

So here are a couple of other Halloween jokes I found, if you ever find yourself in central Iowa the night before Halloween:

Why didn't the skeleton cross the road?
Because he didn't have the guts!

What do ghosts serve for dessert?
ICE SCREAM!

When is it bad luck to meet a black cat?
When you're a mouse!

What was the witch's favorite subject in school?
Spelling!

Where do baby ghosts go during the day?
Dayscare Centers!

How does a monster score a football touchdown?
He runs over a ghoul-line!

Roll Call: Who is Going to Help?

2005-08-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

If you plan to join us in this effort to

Trick or Treat for the Victims of Katrina

Please leave a comment here- simply post your initials, or if you're a youth group leader, please make note of that and indicate how many people are in your group.

If you're organizing a group of friends, please make note of that.

Let's get an idea of how many people are helping.

Please consider leaving your state or region to give us an idea of where in the world all this help is coming from for the victims of Katrina.

This is nothing official, you don't even have to put your real name... it's just nice to know that there are others out there who want to support this effort.

Poems and Prayers

2005-08-31T04:19:00.000-07:00

Please use this page to post prayers and poems in the comments section for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

I'm all for free speech, but let's try to keep it constructive, please.

The opinions and views posted here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this Blogger.

International Youth and Alternatives to Halloween

2005-08-31T01:36:00.000-07:00

I started thinking of this as a national campaign, but since the Internet and the willingness to help knows no boundaries, I'd like to welcome any suggestions from our friends in other parts of the world.

How would you like to participate?