Unite for Children

I usually try to grab your attention with the dazzling and charitable gem first... but this time the worthiness of the cause and the mission of this organization deserves the spotlight.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, known as UNICEF, believes that nurturing and caring for children are the cornerstones of human progress. In December 1946, UNICEF was created with this purpose in mind – to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. Working in 190 countries, UNICEF promotes education and works against discrimination of girls, promotes immunizations and works to prevent communicable diseases including the HIV/AIDS, and provides relief efforts for children in emergencies and situations of violence, abuse and exploitation.

And here are a few ways you can support their work - from $1 to $1395.

SCHOOLS FOR AFRICA In Gucci’s latest tribute to UNICEF, creative director Frida Giannini has designed the second annual “Gucci for UNICEF” product to benefit UNICEF’s lifesaving programs that support orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa -- the special edition Baboushka bag. The ‘Gucci for UNICEF' Baboushka bag – a stud-trimmed tote in a glossy crystal GG fabric – is available in Gucci stores in over 20 countries and at gucci.com. For one year (starting February 1st, 2009), Gucci will donate 25% of the retail price (US$1395) for each bag sold. Funds raised will support Schools for Africa, a joint initiative established in 2004 by UNICEF and the Nelson Mandela Foundation to promote education for all children in Africa. The campaign aims to increase access to quality basic schooling for all, with a special emphasis on helping the most disadvantaged – including one million children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Malawi and Mozambique and children living in extreme poverty. Schools for Africa strives to raise $50 million to allow 4 million children in six countries in Africa go to school.

WORLD WATER DAY - MARCH 22, 2009 UNICEF-supported water, sanitation and hygiene projects are working to improve child health and survival in more than 90 developing countries. Globally, an estimated 125 million children under the age of five live in households without access to a safe drinking-water source. Even more people – a total of more than 2.5 billion around the world – are living without proper sanitation. The Tap Project, initiated by the US Fund for UNICEF and partners, works from the knowledge that just $1 can provide safe drinking water for a child for 40 days. From March 22-28, the project asks diners in restaurants across the United States to donate $1 for the tap water that is generally provided for free. Currently more than 2,300 restaurants throughout the country are participating (click here to find participating restaurants in your city). All the funds are used to support UNICEF's efforts to halve the number of people without safe water and sanitation worldwide by 2015.

CARTIER LOVES UNICEF UNICEF Ambassador Sarah Jessica Parker has pledged her support for UNICEF and created the cyan-blue cord LOVE bracelets to benefit the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. For each bracelet with the cyan-blue cord purchased through June 19, 2009, Cartier will donate $100 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF from the sale of each single bracelet (retail price $475) and $200 from the sale of each double bracelet (retail price $995). The Cartier LOVE Charity Bracelet benefiting UNICEF is available in 34 boutiques across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, call 1.800.CARTIER or visit www.love.cartier.com.

Let's never forget how fortunate we are to live in a country with basic necessities and dignities such as clean water and a free education. Let's unite for children who deserve both in their lifetime.