Spirit of Children Makes Visits Less Scary for Kids

Funds Raised in Southern California Support Child Life Department

Spirit of Children presented Shriners for Children Medical Center’s child life department in Pasadena with a donation of $48,756 at a quick and safe check presentation. The funds make medical center visits and surgeries easier for young patients and their families through non-medical treatment and healing play. Proceeds were collected at local Southern California area Spirit Halloween stores, SpiritHalloween.com and from business partners. One hundred percent of local donations stay in the Southern California community.

The Spirit of Children program has raised $445,417 for Shriners for Children Medical Center since 2011.

Grants provided by Spirit of Children bring joy and smiles to young patients far beyond the Halloween season. Funding enables the child life staff to purchase sensory, educational and entertainment items such as interactive bubble rovers, illuminated wall panels, fiber optic tunnels, iPads and toys used for distraction during procedures.

The donation follows an alternate Halloween celebration for pediatric patients made possible by Spirit of Children Halloween care packages sent in October. Shriners for Children Medical Center’s patients enjoyed contactless activities with costumes and treat bags donated by Spirit of Children. In past years, Spirit Halloween volunteers hosted in-person celebrations, but due to the pandemic visitors were restricted from visiting the medical center to protect the health of young patients, medical center staff members and Spirit volunteers.

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 inception in 2007, Spirit of Children has brought smiles, laughter and a much-needed escape to thousands of pediatric patients in 147 hospitals across the United States and Canada. One hundred percent of the money collected each year is given directly to the child life departments at local partner hospitals, such as Shriners for Children Medical Center — Pasadena. Spirit of Children raised over $12 million in 2020, bringing its total collections to more than $77 million since the program’s inception. Spirit encourages customers to help make a difference in a child's life by donating at their local Spirit Halloween in season, donating online anytime at SpiritHalloween.com or spreading awareness via Facebook and Instagram by using #SpiritofChildren and #MoreCowbell in their photos. For more information, please visit the Spirit of Children website.