Spirit Halloween Gives Largest Donation Yet, Despite a Pandemic

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Salt Lake City Celebrates an Incredible Gift

“Though we can’t invite Spirit Halloween representatives to the hospital this year,” said Nathan Clark, director of development, “their support is worth celebrating!” A 10-year tradition of the Spirit Halloween check presentation had to change in its 11th year.

The Spirit Halloween Stores in Utah and Idaho raise the money to support Shriners Hospitals for Children — Salt Lake City, and in particular, the Wheelchair Costume Clinic, every year. Their national foundation, Spirit of Children, in turn, contributes a percentage of the Utah and Idaho sales and 100% of all supporting donations they get during the Halloween season back to their designated hospital. If you visited one of these locations between August and October, you might have seen the wall behind the register covered with purple circles representing every customer who made a donation to the hospital.

The hospital offered free cake to staff members and visitors in the cafeteria in celebration of the total donated amount, which came to $173,050.22! “This generous donation from our dear friends at the Spirit of Children Foundation and Spirit Halloween Stores means so much to us and our patients,” said Kevin Martin, hospital administrator. “It is incredibly touching to see the support from the stores and the customers who continue to give year after year.”

To date, $755,495.22 has been donated to the Salt Lake City Shriners Hospital the last 11 years. Salt Lake City is one of 15 Shriners Hospitals for Children locations throughout the U.S. that the Spirit of Children Foundation supports.

“Our sincerest thanks to Rick Tereo, Team Lead of the Spirit of Children Foundation and Todd Lowe, Regional Zone Manager, of Spirit Halloween Stores in Utah and Idaho for their lasting support,” said Nathan. “Despite the challenges of COVID-19 last year, Todd reported their Utah and Idaho sales were even better than the year before, making this their largest ever gift to us!”

Learn more about the Spirit of Children Foundation and how you can support Shriners Hospitals for Children — Salt Lake City.