Traditional Halloween activities may have looked different in 2020, but even amid a pandemic, Spirit Halloween’s charitable arm Spirit of Children managed to deliver crucial funding and support to hospital staff and a unique twist on Halloween for hospital-bound kids. Exceeding all expectations, Spirit of Children raised a record $12.4 million in 2020 for 147 partner hospital Child Life Departments in the U.S. and Canada. The funds raised by Spirit of Children were made possible with a phenomenal outpouring of support from guests, vendors, and the local communities.
This year marks more than $77 million raised since the program’s creation in 2007, with Texas Children’s Hospital hitting $2 million in total donations and 11 other partner hospitals hitting the $1 million mark.
In a year with so much change and uncertainty, Spirit of Children’s commitment to Child Life and providing critical support for hospitalized children remained unwavering. Even with most children isolated in their rooms to keep them safe and well, the company delivered one-of-a-kind care packages to children in 147 pediatric hospitals across the U.S. and Canada in October. Each care package contained an assortment of costumes, activity books, crayons and treat bags. This month the money raised throughout the Halloween season will be presented to each partner hospital through virtual check presentations.
“For us, bringing a sense of normalcy to some of the toughest times a child and their family go through has always been at the heart of our organization and this year, we are floored by the outpouring of support from our guests, vendors and employees,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO, Spirit Halloween. “The majority of donations are raised in Spirit Halloween stores and we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers for showing us that generosity doesn’t stop, even during a pandemic. Thanks to your support, we were able to exceed our fundraising goal, a huge feat in a challenging year, reinforcing how important this funding is for local hospitals and communities.”
Child Life departments have a tremendous impact on the hospital experience for young patients and their families by providing all non-medical treatment and healing through play, making their stay more comfortable. The 2020 funds will be used by Child Life Departments to hire additional Child Life staff, provide full-time specialists in the emergency department, purchase educational and sensory items used for distraction and calming during procedures and to create dedicated playrooms, teen lounges and separate family spaces for long hospital visits.
“We deeply appreciate Spirt of Children’s ongoing support of our patients, especially as we reach this tremendous milestone,” said Mary Tietjens, assistant director of clinical support services at Texas Children’s Hospital. “This generosity allows our Child Life Department to purchase toys, games, crafts and electronics for children of all ages. This support is critical as play in a hospital setting provides the opportunity for kids to be kids and helps create many needed joy-filled moments.”
To learn more about Spirit of Children, please visit SpiritofChildren.com.
