October 30, 2013 is

National Candy Corn Day

It’s National Candy Corn Day! Did you know that candy corn has been around for more than 100 years and has never changed its look, taste, or design?

George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company created candy corn in the 1880s. It was made to look like a kernel of corn and became instantly popular because of its innovative design. It was one of the first candies to feature three different colors!

Today, candy corn is a favorite American treat to enjoy during the Halloween season. The National Confectioners Association estimates that 35 million pounds of candy corn are sold annually. Since a cup of candy corn has fewer calories than a cup of raisins, you can grab a handful to celebrate National Candy Corn Day!

On Tuesday, Clay Aiken news was difficult to find.  All there seemed to be was one picture posted by the Law & Order, SVU hair stylist.

Is it just me?  I think Clay looks a bit uncomfortable in this picture.

Do you remember when Clay Aiken was the UNICEF Ambassador in charge of Trick-or-Treat For UNICEF?

The following is the press release that was sent out about this.  It was in 2005.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF 2005
Tuesday May 31, 10:48 am ET
Celebrating 55-Years of Heroic Achievement By Children 

Multi-platinum recording artist and UNICEF National Ambassador Clay Aiken will act as the National Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Spokesperson for the 2005 campaign. As this year’s national spokesperson, Aiken will encourage kids and adults to get involved by raising funds for vulnerable children in other parts of the world. Aiken was appointed a National Ambassador in 2004.

For the second year, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF online will include games and an innovative online program designed to engage kids and adults in virtual Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF. There is also a new online resource, http://www.TeachUNICEF.org, which was created to help teachers and youth group leaders engage students as active global citizens by learning about UNICEF’s efforts worldwide. The Web site includes information on donations and their impact, descriptions of how UNICEF operates during emergencies, perspectives from UNICEF staff, “audio blogs” of teachers and students who contributed to the relief efforts and “discussion starters” for teachers to engage students.

I was teaching school in 2005 and my class and the entire school worked hard to support Trick-Or-Treat For UNICEF.  We didn’t get a visit from Clay, but we did get a wonderful plaque that was placed in the office with pride.

Another press release from UNICEF:

This year’s Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF spokesperson is UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken, a former U.S. schoolteacher who witnessed the reopening of tent schools using the School-in-a-Box in Indonesia after the tsunami struck there in 2004.

The following picture was part of the press release.

One more press release:

UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken to Visit Top Fundraising School
As a beloved and widely recognized campaign, Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has inspired many celebrities and corporations to get involved.  Adding to the excitement in 2005, multi-platinum recording artist Clay Aiken will serve as the national Trick-or-Treat spokesperson.  Throughout October, the Raleigh, N.C., native and former teacher, will encourage kids to participate in the program.
In a further showing of support for the fundraising efforts of kids and schools across the country, Aiken will personally visit the school that raises the most money for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF this year.  Details and timing for Aiken’s visit will be announced at a later date.
“Trick-or-Treat is more than a fundraising program,” said Aiken, who was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador in 2004 and has already visited UNICEF programs in tsunami-stricken Indonesia and war-torn Uganda.  “For many children, it is their first introduction to philanthropy and the needs of their peers in places far away.  It is wonderful to know that I can be a part of that moment.”

I would imagine that the task of being the Trick-or-Treat Ambassador was an exciting time for Clay.  It combined his love of teaching with his support of UNICEF.

Did or do your kids participate in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF?

Is this program used in other countries?