US retail group Spirit Halloween has set an impressive 2019 fundraising goal of $10million for its nationwide Spirit of Children initiative.
Over the last 12 years, Spirit of Children has raised more than $55 million for children’s departments at more than 140 pediatric hospitals in North America.
The organisation will also be hosting nearly 100 Halloween parties at hospitals this October, providing more than 80,000 costumes, accessories and other Halloween party product.
“We’re honoured Spirit of Children continues to provide magic for children in hospitals through fun and play,” said Steven Silverstein, president and ceo of Spirit Halloween.
“The Spirit of Children mission is to support the Child Life departments in partner hospitals with funding raised mostly from the generosity of our customers. It starts with the Halloween parties we host in hospitals, while the funding supports key Child Life initiatives year round.”
Child Life initiatives help make the hospital experience for young patients and their families more comfortable by providing non-medical treatment and healing through play.
Funds are raised via donations from customers at more than 1,360 Spirit Halloween stores and SpiritHalloween.com, in addition to contributions from vendors and business partners. All funds raised by Spirit of Children stay local and are donated to each hospital’s Child Life department.
“Spirit of Children recognizes that healing a child’s body, mind and spirit takes more than medicine,” said Terry Spearman, director of child life and integrative care services at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C. “We are grateful for Spirit of Children’s ongoing partnership, which allows us to put funding towards the resources needed most by our Child Life Specialists.”
