American Airlines and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF are saying “thanks a million - plus!” to American’s customers and employees for the record-breaking success of their 2010 fundraising efforts through UNICEF’s Change for Good program on American Airlines.

More than $1.6 million was raised last year through the generosity of American Airlines customers and employee volunteers dedication – the largest sum in the program’s 16-year history. American Airlines will host a celebration with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on Wednesday, March 9, at 10 a.m. EST in Terminal 8. Customers traveling through JFK on March 9 are invited to join the festivities and will also have the opportunity to donate directly to support UNICEF’s Change for Good program.

“We are honored to share in the excitement of this program’s success, and privileged to acknowledge the remarkable support demonstrated by American’s employees and customers,” said Art Torno, American’s Vice President – New York. “This cause is close to the hearts of our employees, and this spirit of giving is borne out in the generosity of our customers.”

UNICEF’s Change for Good program on American Airlines, proudly supported by Airline Ambassadors International, is American’s largest – and one of its longest-running – charitable programs, in which travelers’ donations are converted into life-saving services for the world’s children through UNICEF. The volunteer-based program, made up primarily of dedicated flight attendants and Admirals Club staff, empowers American Airlines employees to help make a difference for children while performing their everyday work duties.

“On behalf of the children and families that will benefit from the unwavering generosity of American Airlines customers and the incredible volunteer efforts of Champions for Children, we extend our sincere thanks,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “The record-breaking funds raised through UNICEF’s Change for Good program on American Airlines this past year will help UNICEF in its mission to reduce the number of preventable childhood deaths to zero.”

Employee volunteers, called “Champions for Children,” encourage customers on select international American Airlines flights to donate unused U.S. and foreign currencies, or to make contributions in Admirals Clubs® and Flagship Lounges® worldwide.

The funds raised through Change for Good on American Airlines support UNICEF’s programs for children worldwide which provide children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. Specific areas of support for 2010 collections include:

  * More than $560,000 raised to help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Latin America
  * More than $345,000 raised to support children impacted by the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake
  * More than $385,000 raised to support UNICEF’s lifesaving programs around the world
  * More than $315,000 to be allocated by Champions for Children, who will vote to determine where funds will be used.