As they gear up for Halloween this year, kids across the United States can make a difference in the lives of kids around the world by raising funds for those in need.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, a 64-year-old American tradition, is a program that provides donations of medicine, nutrition, clean water, emergency relief and education to children around the world. Below are some of the ways families can get involved.

Donations go digital
In addition to going door-to-door with traditional orange boxes to collect coins for UNICEF, for the first time kids and parents can now set up individual fundraising pages on Crowdrise for their friends and family members to donate. Participants also can turn their Halloween parties into Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF fundraisers by creating a donation page and including a link to it in their party invitation. To get started, visit www.trickortreatforunicef.org.

School challenge
The campaign relies not only on children and parents, but also on educators to teach their students the value of helping kids in need. This year K-8 teachers can participate through the second annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF School Challenge. The competition will provide 15 grand prize winning teachers with technology grants.

All entrants will be asked to describe how they will teach their classrooms about issues facing children globally and the importance of giving back. Competition details and this year's lesson plans can be found at www.trickortreatforunicef.org.

In addition, this year's Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Teachers' Guides can be used to introduce students to UNICEF's lifesaving work and a variety of issues affecting the health and well-being of children around the world through readings, photos, videos, music, maps and games.

Additional support
Another way families can participate in this year's campaign is through partners and supporters, including HSN, Inc., Key Club International, Coinstar, Inc. and BuyCostumes.com.

Interactive multichannel retailer HSN, Inc. is returning this Halloween as a proud national sponsor of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Throughout September and October, HSNi Cares will raise funds through brands Chasing Fireflies, Grandin Road, HSN and TravelSmith, and customers can support Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF by making a donation online or over the phone when placing their orders. From Sept. 1 to Oct. 15, HSN will match all customer donations to support Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF on the HSN credit card up to $125,000. HSN will also launch a special edition of "UNICHEF: Top Chefs Unite in Support of the World's Children," a cookbook featuring 40 world-class chefs assembled by Hilary Gumbel.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF - the original Kids Helping Kids campaign - is one of the longest-running youth volunteer initiatives in America. To learn more or participate, visit www.trickortreatforunicef.org.

Sponsored by UNICEF