Halloween is still a couple weeks away, but patients in our Children’s Tower have their costumes all picked out after a splendid, spook-free celebration – and that’s just the beginning.

Spirit Halloween’s charitable foundation, Spirit of Children, hosted its annual Halloween party in the Children’s Tower on October 13. The festivities delivered delight to kids like 4-year-old Lexi who has been in the hospital for nearly 2 months. 

“She asked me every 5 minutes if it’s time to go to the event finally,” laughed her mom. 

Lexi changed from her comfy hospital clothes into a pretty princess dress for the party. She dressed up as Ariel for Halloween last year – and Mom was her sidekick, Flounder. From the sea of costumes spread across the Children’s Tower’s indoor garden, she picked out a new costume for this year. A butterfly princess, of course. 

She could hardly contain her excitement.

“And I got a lunchbox for preschool and kindergarten,” said Lexi. “And I got a makeup kit!”

Trinity, who dressed up with her friend for Halloween last year, has been in and out of the hospital. The 12-year-old chose a webbed spider costume and deluxe witch make-up kit, feeling relieved that she didn’t have to worry about whether she could get to a store.

The party also included crafts, music and a chance to take a timeout from tests and treatments. 

“If you think about kids who are here day in and day out, every day starts seeming the same,” explained Bethany Fisackerly Burns, CHoR child life program manager. “This becomes something different and fun. It becomes a day they remember.”

Championing the important role of child life

The party is an annual highlight for patients and Spirit team members alike, but the support is more meaningful – and enduring – than the one-day affair. This year marks 20 years since Spirit of Children first began supporting child life programs across the country. Child life is an essential component of care in a children’s hospital, helping kids acclimate, cope and advocate for themselves in the healthcare setting. 

Since Spirit of Children began partnering with CHoR, they’ve raised $1,438,934 specifically for our child life program and the people behind it. With these funds, our child life team has grown from two specialists to more than a dozen dedicated to different areas – from the emergency department to infusion, and critical care to mental health services. It also helps ensure they have the supplies they need to care for kids in the best ways possible.

Doing good, one donation at a time

Spirit of Children is able to provide this support thanks to team members across the Spirit Halloween stores and the generosity of shoppers. Donations made at Spirit Halloween locations in Central Virginia come directly to CHoR.

“That money we collect from micro donations – that $1, $5, $10 at the register all is local and then we give it right back to the hospital. A hundred percent of the donations come right back to the child life department at the hospital,” explained Ray Smith, senior zone manager for Spirit Halloween.

While working for Spirit is fun, Mackenzie Farmer, a district sales manager for the company said it’s about more than that.

“This party is what we keep coming back for. We are just so excited to be able to impact our community. We love that everything stays local. This is the highlight of our year.”

Helping kids be kids in the hospital, at Halloween and all year long

The party kicked off our Halloween extravaganza, which will culminate with a week-long haunted house in our Child Life Zone. More fun will follow throughout the holiday season.

“These are the milestones of childhood. If they weren’t in the hospital, they’d be going trick-or-treating with their friends, they’d be going to Halloween parties, they’d be going with their families to pick out a costume,” said Bethany. “Their doctors and nurses and medical team are focused on getting them healthy but we also realize that they’re kids and they love to have fun. Child life’s job in the hospital is also to help create normalcy and fun for the kids, letting them do some of the things they would normally do outside the hospital. All the events we’re doing throughout the fall and into the holidays are about helping our patients and families create memories.”

Though Halloween is Spirit of Children’s specialty, their support helps kids in the hospital all year long.

Still looking for a costume for your celebration? Use this coupon to save money at Spirit Halloween and ensure an additional donation to CHoR!