Health

Spirit Halloween Brings $73,000 to Golisano Children’s Hospital

Spirit Halloween recently presented a $69,496 check to the Child Life professionals of Golisano Children's Hospital during Child Life Month. The funds were part of the Spirit of Children campaign held last October, when the company also gifted $4,000 in costumes, decorations and crafts - helping to make Halloween fun and the hospital less scary for the children hospitalized during the holiday.

March is Child Life Month, a month where hospitals celebrate child life specialists and the Child Life profession through education and awareness of their work. The certified Child Life Specialists bring joy and comfort to hospitalized kids and their families through evidence-based techniques such as medical play and therapeutic disciplines to help normalize the hospital experience.

Spirit of Children has gifted more than $322,000 since partnering with Golisano Children's Hospital. Last year's gift was used to equip sensory rooms which help patients with special needs to cope with hospital stays and doctor appointments. The sensory rooms include fiber optic lights, bubble towers, exercise balls and many squeeze balls with different textures. Even simple toys can calm a child in a new setting.

"The ability to purchase sensory items with the funds donated from Spirit of Children help bring comfort and familiarity to this special population," shared Stacie Kmetz, certified child life specialist and events coordinator, Golisano Children’s Hospital. "We had a family recently visit the Sedation Unit and they were very nervous bringing their child into a new, possibly scary setting. Our Child Life Specialist was able to meet with them upon arrival and provide sensory items to comfort the child."

Spirit of Children focuses on making hospitals less scary for children and their families by partnering with Child Life Departments working to create more comfortable hospital environments. With donations raised in Spirit Halloween stores and from vendor partners, they continue empowering Child Life programs and roles, including:

“At Spirit Halloween, we are in the business of bringing joy to Halloween celebrations everywhere, but what we’re proudest of are the moments of happiness we can deliver to children at pediatric hospitals,” said Steven Silverstein, president and CEO of Spirit Halloween. “The work we do and the funds we raise for families going through difficult times wouldn’t be possible without the generous donations from our guests and vendors. If we can make Halloween a bit brighter for the patients, families, and our hospital partners, that is what matters most.”

To learn more about the Child Life program at Golisano Children's Hospital and ways to make a difference for young patients, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/ChildLife.

For more information about Spirit of Children, please visit SpiritOfChildren.com.