Scary for charity

Every charity in existence puts out a collection bucket at Christmastime, but the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has always had a corner on Halloween. Kids have been trick-or-treating with UNICEF donation boxes since 1953. All together, those costumed crusaders have raised more than $115 million to provide health care, water, food and education for children overseas.

Clearly, trick-or-treaters have been doing their part for half a century. Unfortunately, the world’s leaders have yet to follow their example. They continue to leave kids without basic resources in nearly every country on the planet, while they pursue wars and business deals. It’s enough to make any ordinary charity scream in horror, but UNICEF organizers are used to dealing with scary situations. Undaunted by the size of their mission, the local UNICEF team has stepped up their collection efforts this year with A Festival of Ghost Stories for UNICEF.

Seven storytellers will tingle your spine and give bumps to your goose with chilling tales of the supernatural. Musicians, vocalists and the Inspire Women’s Vocal Group will add eerie sounds to the experience.

A Festival of Ghost Stories happens on Thursday, October 30. That means you’ve got some time to get your costume together, gather your bravest friends, and mentally prepare for an evening of thrills and frights. The party begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children, with proceeds to benefit UNICEF. Bring your tricks and treats to the Unitarian Universalist Society, 2425 Sierra Boulevard. For more information on the ghostly happenings, or to find out how you can trick-or-treat for UNICEF, call (916) 444-7800.