Halloween is all about dressing up and having fun – something kids often miss out on when they’re in the hospital. Thanks to national costume store Spirit Halloween’s charitable foundation, Spirit of Children, that isn’t the case at CHoR.
Patients from infants to teens were treated to a special Halloween party on October 19, complete with plenty of costumes to choose from, pumpkins to paint and goodie bags to take back to their rooms. Four-year-old Trinity, who chose an all-star cheerleader costume from the dozens of options, was one of the kids who had a blast with this change of pace after four weeks in the hospital.
“This is an awesome day, the best day she's had. She's gotten confidence from therapy. They did an awesome job, and the nurses did too, to get her from where she came in here to where she is now. We've been here a month, and this is the best day. Today she's back to her sassy self,” said Trinity’s nana, Melinda, with agreement from Mom, Angel. “To see her like this is what I've been waiting for. She's had a huge smile on her face. This is amazing. By being here, she has been able to get out of her room and have a break and have some fun.”
Myla also appreciated the opportunity to paint a mask and enjoy some respite from her medical care.
“Art is a great distraction from stress. It’s hard to be in a hospital for anyone, but especially children since the routine is disrupted. For kids, regardless of age, this kind of escape from all of that to create and paint is an opportunity to destress and decompress and feel like we’re at an art fair instead of in the hospital,” said her mom, Angela.
On top of the hard work and materials provided for the party, Spirit of Children also raises money to help our child life team make the hospital a little less scary for kids all year long. Since 2007, Spirit of Children has raised more than $1 million for Children’s Hospital Foundation to benefit our child life program at CHoR.
Over the years, proceeds from Spirit of Children have allowed the expansion of our child life team and services to support patients and families during hospitalizations and medical procedures, and provide a wide range of activities to help kids meet medical goals while having fun.
“No kid wants to miss out on Halloween. Spirit of Children makes sure our patients can still be part of the fun by bringing the party to them in the hospital. This is one of our biggest and most anticipated events each year and the first one in our new Children’s Tower,” said Bethany Fisackerly, child life supervisor.
It’s also the first Halloween party at the hospital since 2019 due to visitation limitations related to the pandemic, though Spirit provided costumes and goodies for the hospital team to deliver to patients the last few years.
“This was an absolutely wonderful experience for me and the team to be able to come in here and spend Halloween with the kids and see how much the Spirit of Children program really impacts their lives, and their joy for this holiday season,” said Ethan Guyton-White, manager with Spirit Halloween. “As an organization, Spirit Halloween loves to see how much the child life program can do with all of the money the program raises each year.”
This year's efforts raised $141,713 for CHoR!
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