Funds received from Halloween sales support pediatric patients experience during hospital stays
Spirit Halloween recently presented a $34,981 check to the Child Life professionals of Golisano Children’s Hospital. The funds were raised during the Spirit of Children campaign held last October. The company also gifted $7,500 in costumes, decorations and crafts – helping to make the hospital less scary and a little more fun for the children hospitalized during the holiday.
Each year, Spirit Halloween stores offer 10% off purchases both in stores and online and then donates the proceeds to participating Child Life programs at neighboring hospitals for Child Life Month in March. The annual Spirit of Children campaign has raised more than $476,000 for Golisano Children’s Hospital since 2007.
Spirit of Children aims to make hospitals less intimidating for pediatric patients and their families by supporting Child Life programs that create a more comfortable, engaging environment. Donations from Spirit Halloween stores and vendor partners help fund:
- Hiring essential Child Life Specialists
- Purchasing sensory and educational items as well as adaptive toys and medical teaching dolls
- Supporting art, music, canine, and horticulture therapy programs
- Constructing and renovating playrooms, playgrounds, teen lounges and family spaces.
“We feel a deep sense of pride and privilege in our ability to support the critical work of Child Life at 161 partner hospitals across North America through Spirit of Children,” said Rick Tereo, director of Spirit of Children Foundation. “Our fundraising efforts enable Child Life Specialists to provide therapeutic and emotional healing, education, and coping to young patients, while doctors and nurses focus on medical treatment.”
The Child Life program at Golisano Children’s Hospital helps pediatric patients navigate their hospital experience with as much normalcy as possible while receiving essential medical care. Services include playroom and bedside activities, preparation for medical procedures, educational support for homebound students, and special events like pet therapy and visits from clowns.
To learn more about the Child Life program at Golisano Children’s Hospital and ways to make a difference for young patients, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/ChildLife.
PHOTO IDS (pictured from left to right):
Drew Beaverson, Stacie Kmetz, Sarah Mallardi, Charles Seager, Rachel Traxler, Adrianna Hopkins, Tracey Failla, Shery Yimin
About Spirit of Children
At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children, a program which focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since its creation in 2007 Spirit of Children has raised more than $110 million for the Child Life department at hospitals across the United States and Canada. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100 percent of funds going to Child Life Services. For the 2024 Halloween season, Spirit of Children supported more than 161 hospitals across the country. Spirit encourages customers to help make a difference in a child’s life every Halloween season by donating at their local Spirit Halloween or spreading awareness via Facebook and Instagram using #SpiritofChildren and #MoreCowbell in their photos. For more information, please visit: www.SpiritOfChildren.com.
About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established by Lee Health in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” three times by The Leapfrog Group. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. Since 2019, Golisano Children’s Hospital has been a proud member hospital of the Children’s Miracle Network. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.
