MESA, Ariz. Oct. 29, 2020 — To ensure Halloween was not one of the childhood hallmarks getting canceled this year, Spirit of Children delivered one-of-a-kind care packages to more than 140 pediatric hospitals across the U.S. and Canada, including pediatric patients at Sparrow Children’s Center.
Each care package contained assorted costumes, activity books, crayons and treat bags. Child Life Specialists “reverse trick-or-treated” with the children by delivering the packages individually to patients’ rooms.
Since 2007, Spirit of Children has donated nearly $385,000 to the Sparrow Children’s Center Child Life program, funding sensory equipment to help turn any hospital room into a relaxing and empowering multi-sensory room. This year, Spirit of Children, which is focused on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families, has set a record goal of raising $11 million, mainly through donations raised in Spirit Halloween stores. Since its creation in 2006, Spirit of Children has raised more than $65 million specifically on behalf of Child Life Services at hospitals across the United States and Canada. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within the communities they are raised, and 100 percent of the proceeds are donated directly to their local pediatric hospitals.
"Spirit of Children has been at the heart of our organization for more than a decade,” said Steven Silverstein, President and CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We are honored to bring a sense of normalcy to some of the toughest times a family and child go through, and that dedication doesn’t stop in a pandemic. We are determined, now more than ever, to bring the magic of Halloween to pediatric patients, even if we can’t be there in person this year.”
“Every child, sick or well, needs and wants to play,” said Dr. Stephen Guertin, Pediatric Intensivist at Sparrow Children’s Center. “Play is essential for their mental and physical health. Spirit has partnered with our Child Life Program to guarantee that every sick child who is able to play gets that chance. The kids, their families, Child Life and the Children's Center are profoundly grateful to the Spirit of Children program.”
The funds raised by Spirit of Children cannot happen without the outpouring of support from local communities. Customers ring the iconic purple cowbell when they donate to Spirit of Children at checkout. Donors are encouraged to post a photo or video of themselves ringing the cowbell loudly and proudly using #MoreCowbell and #SpiritofChildren to encourage others to participate and bring smiles to children’s lives.
To learn more about Spirit of Children or to help Spirit Halloween reach this year’s $11 million goal, please visit a store near you or visit SpiritofChildren.com.
About Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween (spirithalloween.com) is the largest Halloween retailer in the country with 1,400 locations in strip centers and malls across North America. Celebrating 37 years of business, Spirit is the premier destination for all things Halloween, offering one-stop shopping for everything from costumes to décor and party goods to accessories. In addition to being a fun and interactive event for shoppers, Spirit stores offer complete selections of costumes and accessories for infants/toddlers, children, 'tweens, teens, and adults along with exclusive décor you won't find anywhere else. For more information, please visit: www.spirithalloween.com.
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 creation in 2006, Spirit of Children has raised more than $65 million for the Child Life department at hospitals across the United States and Canada. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100 percent of funds going to Child Life Services. For the 2020 Halloween season, Spirit of Children will be supporting more than 140 hospitals across the country, with a goal to raise a record $11 million. Spirit encourages customers to help make a difference in a child's life this Halloween season by donating at their local Spirit Halloween or spreading awareness via Facebook and Instagram using #SpiritofChildren and #MoreCowbell in their photos. For more information, please visit: www.SpiritOfChildren.com.
John Foren: Spokesperson, Media and Public Relations, Sparrow
John.Foren@Sparrow.org | 517.256.1743
Stacie Peltomaa: Development Officer, Sparrow
Stacie.Peltomaa@sparrow.org | 517.242.7623
Maggie Miller: Crossroads Public Relations
mmiller@crossroads.us | 618.334.7891
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Sparrow, a member of the prestigious Mayo Clinic Care Network, is mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization that includes hospitals in Lansing, Charlotte, St. Johns, Ionia and Carson City as well as Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group and the Michigan Athletic Club. Sparrow has a partnership with Michigan Medicine at the Sparrow Children’s Center and is affiliated with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit sparrow.org.