Spirit of Children, Spirit Halloween's charitable foundation, will host seasonal events at partnerhospitals, while also aiming to raise $18 million for year-round Child Life programs.
Dressing up in costumes, attending holidayfestivities, and trick-or-treating are all treasured Halloween traditions. However, for childrenfacing extended stays in the hospital, those joyful moments can be out of reach. That is whereSpirit of Children, Spirit Halloween's charitable foundation, steps in to bring magic across 162hospitals during Spirit of Children Week (October 13-17) with Halloween events and festivitiesfor children and their families.
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What began as a handful of hospital celebrations in 2006 has blossomed into a movement with162 hospital partners across the United States and Canada. Spirit of Children is continuing tobring comfort, joy, and critical support to Child Life Departments in a variety of ways, includingincreasing staff and expanding operating hours. This impact is made possible through thegenerosity of Spirit Halloween guests who donate in-store, contributing to the $145 millionraised to-date.
“It's a privilege to help spark moments of happiness and normalcy for kids facing challengingcircumstances,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween and Founder of Spirit ofChildren. “Knowing that every dollar raised stays in the communities where it's donated,strengthens our bond with hospital partners and reaffirms our commitment to making ameaningful difference.”
Spirit of Children Week Celebrations
Each year, hospital staff and Spirit of Children volunteers will join forces to bring Halloween tolife within hospital walls, hosting costume parties, trick-or-treating events, and other specialcelebrations for patients and their families. Through the incredible generosity of SpiritHalloween's vendor partners, more than 500,000 costumes have been donated to pediatrichospital partners across the country to-date.
By supporting the invaluable work Child Life Specialists do for hospitals and their patients, Spiritof Children helps ensure kids and their families can access the resources needed for a betterhospital stay – all while spreading a smile across patients' faces.
“These children are brave and face challenging times, but their faces light up when SpiritHalloween visits and hosts a party. Most of our patients will not have a Halloween or trick-or-treat experience in a traditional way, and these events are something that they will neverforget.” East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville, TN
Provides Impact Year-RoundSpirit of Children's support assists Child Life departments in a variety of critical ways, including:
— Increasing Child Life Staff (200+) for partner hospitals and expanding operating hours
— Funding the establishment of new sensory rooms
— Establishing a Child Life Specialist presence in Emergency Departments
— Purchasing over 1,500 sensory items and distraction equipment, toys, and medicalteaching dolls
— Supporting over 100 art, music, pet, aquatic, and horticulture therapy programs, andmuch more
“Spirit of Children empowers our Child Life Specialists to prioritize emotional health and wellness for patients and families by not only providing us with tools and resources for a one-day celebration, but with continued funding and year-round support.” Kaitie Kolbeck,Supervisor of Child Life at Children's Hospital Colorado
To learn more about Spirit of Children please visit SpiritofChildren.com.
About Spirit of Children
At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children, a program which focuses on makinghospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since fundraising began in 2007, Spirit of Childrenhas raised over $145 million for the Child Life department at hospitals across the United Statesand Canada. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100% of fundsgoing toward support for Child Life. For the 2025 Halloween season, Spirit of Children will besupporting 162 pediatric hospitals across North America, with a goal to raise $18 million. SpiritHalloween encourages customers to help make a difference in a child's life this Halloweenseason by donating at their local Spirit Halloween. For more information, please visit: SpiritofChildren.com.
About Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween is the largest Halloween retailer in North America. With over 1,500 seasonallocations expected to open in strip malls and centers across North America, Spirit is the one-stop destination for all things Halloween. For more than four decades, Spirit has createdimmersive and interactive experiences for shoppers, complete with a unique and vastassortment of costumes and accessories for infants, toddlers, children, 'tweens, teens, andadults, along with exclusive décor and animatronics you won't find anywhere else. For moreinformation, please visit SpiritHalloween.com.
Media Contacts, Spirit Halloween:Marisa SimonsonSenior Manager of PR609-770-6428Marisa.Simonson@spirithalloween.com
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SOURCE Spirit Halloween
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