On Wednesday, October 16th, Spirit Halloween hosted a Halloween party for pediatric patients at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children complete with costumes, games, music and crafts.
Through the Spirit of Children program, Spirit Halloween hosts nearly 100 Halloween parties at partner hospitals across North America so children, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate in Halloween celebrations, can enjoy the scary fun of the season despite being in the hospital. To-date, the Spirit of Children Program has raised more than $366,860 for St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.
“The annual Spirit of Children Halloween Party is an amazing way to celebrate the spirit of St. Mary’s children. Our children, families and staff look forward to this event each year. We are so grateful for our partnership,” said Victoria Falcone, the manager of strategic partnerships at St. Mary’s.
100% of money collected for Spirit of Children will benefit St. Mary’s Hospital for Children Child Life Department, which helps make the hospital experience easier and more comfortable for young patients and their families by providing all non-medical treatment and healing through play.
Since its inception in 2007, Spirit of Children has raised more than $55 million for Child Life Departments across North America. This year, the program aims to raise a record $10 million more to support young patients and their families.
Recently, Spirit of Children grants have assisted in hiring additional Child Life staff, extending Child Life hours of operation, providing full-time Child Life specialists in the emergency department, purchasing sensory, educational and entertainment items used for distraction during procedures, and creating dedicated playrooms, teen lounges and separate family spaces for long hospital visits.
Donate to Spirit of Children to support St. Mary’s Hospital for Children Child Life department at a local Spirit Halloween store or SpiritofChildren.com. Shoppers can spread the word about a donation using #MoreCowbell and ringing the iconic purple Spirit of Children cowbell in Spirit Halloween stores.
St. Mary’s Hospital for Children has been the primary provider of long-term and rehabilitative care for New York’s most critically ill and injured children since the 1870s. St. Mary’s Healthcare System is one of only a handful of organizations around the country that is dedicated to providing intensive rehabilitation, specialized care, and education to children with special needs and life-limiting conditions.
