Halloween Is a Big Deal at Shriners Children's Chicago

How amazing can you make a pumpkin without carving it? This year Shriners Children’s Chicago staff raised the bar with colorful displays in the pumpkin contest. Some gorgeous gourds even have accompanying soundtracks. It’s a colorful part of what makes Halloween a big deal at Shriners Children’s Chicago. This pediatric specialty hospital on the outskirts of the city celebrates throughout October and helps patients of all abilities enjoy Halloween.

Even before the calendar says “October,” staff from philanthropy, marketing and communications, and recreational therapy/child life/volunteer departments collaborate to maximize the impact of our partnership with Spirit Halloween, the largest Halloween retailer in the country. Since its creation in 2007, Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children program has raised more than $127 million for the child life department at hospitals across North America. Results through 2023 place Shriners Children’s Chicago as 28th among the more than 150 partner hospitals, and the top fundraiser among Shriners Children’s locations, receiving more than $1.4 million.

In September, James, 7, from suburban Chicago, shopped at the nearby Spirit Halloween store on Grand Avenue with Jamie Scholl, Shriners Children’s Chicago child life specialist. Marketing and communications staff captured photos and videos, including a brief interview of the store manager during the shop. Philanthropy staff visited area stores to provide buttons to encourage support for the Chicago Shriners location. All three departments promote a Save 10% / Give 10% coupon to our supporting Shrine centers, area businesses and visitors. When they shop with the coupon or special in-store promotions, Spirit of Children sends a donation back to the child life department.

The hospital’s Ballreich Patient Activity Mall got a “monsterific” makeover early in the month as Spirit Halloween store employees arrived to provide a party and pop-up costume shop, provided at no cost to families. Children enjoyed looking through costumes in a low-key setting that they are already familiar with, while others painted pumpkins and made crafts.

This year, several patients also received adaptive costumes from TJ Maxx. Brooke, a suburban Chicago patient with cerebral palsy, and her family donated costumes from the retailer to bring Halloween fun to other children who might need additional openings or accommodations for feeding tubes to enjoy their costume. Brooke appears as a model on the hang tags in-store for several of the outfits. A highlight was Mary, who just happened to wear sandals that perfectly matched the mermaid costume she chose to put on right away while waiting for her appointment in her clinic room.

The week of Halloween, long tables were set up and the competitive creative nature of team came out as, one by one, numbered pumpkin creations were put on display. This year 20 official entrants competed for votes from patients, staff and visitors. The rules set by child life/recreational therapy departments require no carving for sanitary and health reasons. Staff get really into it. This year a nurse spent weeks building a wooden ship to hold a pumpkin.

On All Hallows' Eve itself, staff arrived in full costumes, often in a theme chosen by their department. Photos were taken and submitted for the costume contest. The winner of the individual best costume received a coveted close parking spot in cold December. In the afternoon, volunteers arrived to join the Halloween party and indoor trick or treat for patients and staff families who signed up for the fun. This year, the Windy City Ghostbusters once again brought smiles and scared off any ghouls who might try to join. The 25th District Police in uniform welcomed trick-or-treaters on an indoor route past several treat stations staffed by employees and volunteers around the facility. It was a sweet celebration hosted by child life and recreational therapy. And that’s why Halloween is a big deal at Shriners Children's Chicago.