Campaign 1s one of the most - 39 successful fundraising tools From page 38 With 32. national committees and hundreds of member agencies scattered throughout the world, UNICEF has been active in all areas of child care, from pso- viding basic education services to reducing the risk of infant death through immunization programs. Desmarais, the daughter of a French TV and film producer, got involved with UNICEF after hear- ing Swedish actor Liv Ullman speak about the organization on TV. “} had travelled a lot in the Philippines and Portugal and 1 was concerned that my children had no clue of how other children lived,"’ says Desmarais. “Then one day | was ironing my husband’s shirts and Liv Ullman came on TV saving that five children will die every 10 se- conds of starvation or other preventable diseases. **It had such an impact on me I picked up the phone and called UNICEF and said I'd like to vol- unteer.”” Little by little, she worked her way vp to become president of UNICEF Canada, a position she will hold for two years. “Somebody told me that I started in the trenches,’’ a neatly outfitted Desmarais says in her thick Parisienne accent, and laughs. “It certainly felt like that sometimes."’ Despite her ascension Desmarais says she works in much the same manner as when she was a volun- ‘teer. - “> work with housewives and celebrities like Peter Ustinov at the same level. We all use what we call **tthe UNICEF lingo" — car- ing, children, compassion, under- standing and sometimes, frustra- tion.”* Perhaps the most pressing issue facing the organization today, she says, is ensuring that all children receive proper immunization against. measles, polio, tuber- culosis, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus. 4é We organize them through the schools — children learn why they are sharing their Halloween with other underprivileged children. It’s really children helping children. 99 Worldwide, UNICEF is involv- ed with hundreds of projects — Canada alone has 15 initiatives on the go in such areas as Bolivia, India, Thailand, Sudan, former Yugoslavia and Somalia (accord- ing to Desmarais it was among the first non-governmental agencies to alert the world to the impending crisis in Somalia). UNICEF Canada has been one of the most successful fundraisers, raising close’ ta $20.9 million last year for food, medicine, supplies and Third World projects. This, says Desmarais, is due in large part to its vast army of vol- unteers — 45,000 people which she calls “the life blood’? of UNICEF campaigns. Closer to home, UNICEF B.C. received about $673,000 in dona- tions for its card campaign. -Claudie Desmarais per cent of children worldwide have already been protected against these diseases thanks to a joint global effort be- tween UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF plans to immunize one million Somalian children against measles before the end of the year. What brings Desmarais the most personal satisfaction is knowing she is part of a group that is making a difference. “We've won the Nobel Peace Prize, we've brought water to 1.5 billion people and immunized 80% of the world’s children. And 1 felt | had a little part in that. “Even if I saved just one life I'd be happy with that.’’ If you would like to find out more about UNICEF, phone 874-3666. Eighty NEWS photo Mike Wakafield WATCH FOR children carrying boxes like this on Oct. 37. Dona- tions put into them will help raise the total for UNICEF’s annual Halloween fund drive. HATURING a wide range of quality window coverings, including; Drapery Fabrics. Califoraia Shutters, and Silhouette Shades, We also stock fabrics ideally suited for Upkolstery and Bedding, We would be pleased to coordinate all aspects of your interior decorating project, including Paint and Sill Work. At Jabot, we have made quality window coverings accessible to everyone. So whether your decorating plans be modest er ambitious, whether your budget be limited or fexible, drop by to see us. Together we can ture your plaas into reality. Specializing in