Spirit of Children – Spirit Halloween Makes a Generous Donation of $11.7 Million to Shriners Children’s System
Even though Halloween seems so long ago, the efforts of Spirit Halloween’s charitable giving program, Spirit of Children, are felt year-round thanks to their generous donations. Over the last 17 years, Spirit of Children has raised funds to support the child life departments in over 14 Shriners Children’s locations.
In addition to raising funds, the Spirit of Children program hosts Halloween parties every October at many locations within the Shriners Children’s system. Spirit Halloween and its partners supply costumes, decorations and craft projects for patients at the hospital to enjoy and find a moment of fun during an unsettling time. The party is a day that allows the patients to find a reprieve from hospital life and experience Halloween at its finest.
"It has been great to build our relationship, which continues to grow each year. Our children are lucky to have such a wonderful experience through the Spirit of Children campaign," said Terry Diamond, senior director of philanthropy.
Shriners Children's Philadelphia
This year, Shriners Children's Philadelphia received a donation of $56,276, which helps child life staff acquire the best tools, education and training needed. As in years previous, several patients and their families were able to receive Halloween costumes and celebrate together at the hospital. It is a great relationship and season that everyone at Shriners Children’s looks forward to.
Shriners Children's Greenville
Each year, the Shriners Children’s Greenville child life department looks forward to the generous Spirit of Children donation, which helps fund enriching and entertaining activities for patients diagnosed with over 85 different orthopedic conditions. This year, over $72,000 will go toward the patient entertainment fund, which makes memorable and motivational special events and patient celebrations possible, as well as provides supplies for arts & crafts, games and more.
Shriners Children’s Erie
Spirit of Children is an amazing program that allows Shriners Children’s Erie to further provide for their patients and help them to have a positive medical experience. Not only does Spirit of Children fundraise to support the child life program, but they also provide high-quality costumes for the patients and decorations for trunk or treat. Spirit of Children participates in trunk or treat by decorating trunks and providing treat bags.
Shriners Children’s Twin Cities
Thanks to the generous support from Spirit of Children, Shriners Children’s Twin Cities’ child life department has been able to provide camps, activities and events for their patients each year. In 2023 alone, they hosted 15 camps, ranging from acting camp for kids of any diagnosis to day camp for kids with limb differences. When asked why she enjoys camp for kids with limb differences, patient Hollen said, “I really liked camp because you can connect with people really fast – we all have something in common.” In addition to camps, child life staff was able to order supplies for crafts and activities for the waiting room, and purchase teaching toys to use during medical appointments.
Patients Express Gratitude to Spirit Halloween
In the video below, watch how much the donations of over $780,000 in 15 years mean to our patients.
Shriners Children’s Chicago
In Chicago, Spirit of Children allows certified child life specialists the flexibility and opportunity to plan custom events and moments for patients. Whether that is a princess party for a group of younger children, or arranging a special T-shirt day to celebrate an older patient’s milestone, Spirit of Children’s $159,671 donation goes a long way. In addition to the Halloween Extravaganza hosted with Spirit of Children, Shriners Children’s Chicago also uses part of the donation to host an annual trunk or treat event.
Shriners Children’s Ohio
Child life at Shriners Children’s Ohio is committed to making holidays special and memorable for their patients. The costumes and party supplies from Spirit Halloween let the patients tap into their imaginations and dress up while collecting treats and toys from staff in a special, not-too-spooky trick-or-treat parade. Beyond Halloween, Spirit of Children’s $49,338 monetary donation helps to enrich the child life program year-round in supporting the psychosocial and developmental needs of Shriners Children’s patients.
Shriners Children’s Southern California
In Southern California, Spirit of Children makes a big difference in the lives of young patients battling serious illness, not only during Halloween, but year-round. “Spirit of Children is one of our biggest supporters,” said Natalie Chicas, child life specialist at Shriners Children’s Southern California. “This year’s donation of $61,556 will be used to buy materials that are needed for the patients, whether it’s distraction items or educational items.”
Shriners Children’s Spokane
One hundred percent of local Spirit of Children donations stay in the Spokane community and support the Shriners Children’s Spokane child life program. In 2023, the community raised nearly $97,000. Some of the child life needs that were met in part to this generous donation include virtual reality to distract children and help them cope with painful medical procedures; a 3D printer; educational and sensory tools; hospital room entertainment systems; and a teen room and formal dance for teenage patients.
Shriners Children’s St. Louis
Shriners Children’s St. Louis is overwhelmed by the generosity and continued support of their partners at Spirit of Children. Last year’s donation funded the creation of a video that teaches families of patients distraction techniques to use at home. Child life therapy specialists utilize these tactics at Shriners Children’s, but they know much of a child’s recovery happens outside the four walls of the hospital. “Our goal is to arm patients and families with the tools they need to achieve their long-term orthopedic goals,” said Laura Teague, Shriners Children’s St. Louis senior recreational therapist.
Distraction techniques are key to supporting children through orthopedic treatment plans and recovery. Thanks to generous donations from Spirit of Children, Shriners Children's St. Louis produced this how-to video for patients, parents and caregivers – to hopefully make at-home care just a little more manageable.
The healthcare network is so grateful for all the donations provided by Spirit of Children. They surely bring joy and smiles to young patients far beyond the Halloween season.
About Spirit of Children
At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children, a program that focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since fundraising began in 2007, Spirit of Children has raised more than $127 million for the child life departments at hospitals across the United States and Canada. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100% of funds going toward support for child life. For the 2024 Halloween season, Spirit of Children will be supporting 159 pediatric hospitals across North America, with a goal to raise $18 million. Spirit Halloween encourages customers to help make a difference in a child's life this Halloween season by donating at their local Spirit Halloween. For more information, please visit: SpiritofChildren.com.
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