The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Funds club, also known as UNICEF, is run by seniors Lara Cabriga and Victoria Liu. The active club dedicates their time providing humanitarian aid worldwide to children in need. Gender equality is also an important matter that the club focuses on.

The club invites selfless and generous students to participate in fundraising events to help raise money. Not only that, but members get the chance to socialize and make friends with others who share similar goals and interests. 

“We, Oakmont UNICEF, hold fundraisers [and] events,” Liu said. “We have club relationship building events and activities.” 

The club’s first meeting was held Sept. 13 and their six board members encourage students to join them every other Tuesday from 3:30-4 p.m. in P-9. 

Right now, the club consists of about 15 hard-working members, but they are always looking to expand and form an even larger group. UNICEF wants as many people to be part of the experience as possible. 

One of the main components of UNICEF is fundraising. Joining this club provides students numerous opportunities to be involved in these events. 

UNICEF fundraisers take place frequently, with one coming up along with a theme matching the fall season. 

“We are doing the trick-or-treat fundraiser, which is… a yearly thing where we just go around to the neighborhoods and ask for money to donate to children worldwide,” Liu said. 

UNICEF finds ways to incorporate relevant and entertaining themes for events as they create a productive environment while making a positive impact. 

Previously, the club has done fundraisers such as selling Krispy Kreme donuts and certificates to raise money for women and children in Afghanistan.

An interactive event that the club held before was creating origami hearts in the spirit of gender equality and women empowerment. 

UNICEF also partnered with fellow Oakmont clubs ASU and Key Club in 2020 to spend an evening together to paint. All of the proceeds from entry tickets went to help the Yemen crisis. 

The club has been thriving since before COVID-19 struck and has been able to continue with their goals – even through struggles. The board members learned that relationship building was extremely important during that time and is something that should be a priority as the years go on. 

“Since the pandemic and stuff, it was really hard to create those relationships that would last and make a strong bond,” Liu said. 

As students are back on campus, UNICEF hopes that students are aware of the opportunities the club has to offer. It’s even more exciting for members now that events are able to be interactive and in person now.

Initially, Cabriga and Liu were elected to be the next presidents of UNICEF as underclassmen after joining their freshman year. They were able to inherit the club and continue gathering more ideas from their personal ideas as well as from new joining members. 

“I wanted to continue because I found it really fun,” Cabriga said, “I like educating the student body about humanitarian issues.” 

Students are able to check updates on what’s going on by following the club’s instagram @oakmontunicef. The account has information on the club itself, as well as topics that need recognition. 

UNICEF is a wonderful club for those who want to raise awareness to heavy issues in the world, and who are looking to create change.