EDITOR’S BLOG
As I touched down on U.S. soil late yesterday in a British Air jet, after having shepherded a group of teenagers through multiple screening and searches at London’s Heathrow airport, I was happy to be landing. I was even more delighted that the kids and adults on the plane were offered the opportunity to contribute their loose change and foreign currency to the UNICEF Change for Good program. British Air flight stewards announced there would be a special collection and provided the envelopes for our goodwill donations. (right) They have been collecting change for twelve years with magnificent results…
The UNICEF program was launched in 1991 with the help of a few international airlines, but its biggest boost came when British Air joined the Change for Good team in 1994. To date, more than 53 million dollars have been donated by international travelers — $38 million from British Air customers. All the coins and currency collected are used to buy food and medicine, and build schools, for poor children around the globe.
Congratulations to UNICEF for starting such a clever and easy way to raise money for kids who need our help. Cheers, and my best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to British Air and to their employees who remained quite helpful, friendly, and not without a sense of humor, even through these challenging days.