--- title: Spirit Halloween Makes Hospitals 'Less Scary' for Pediatric Patients description: Spirit Halloween is a major Halloween retailer and their mission is to make hospitals less scary for kids and their families through their Spirit of Children organization. image: https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/Spirit_of_Children_2019.jpg --- ![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/Spirit_of_Children_2019.jpg) ### Spirit Halloween Makes Hospitals 'Less Scary' for Pediatric Patients *Posted By* Erica Bettencourt Mon, Oct 28, 2019 @ 11:41 AM - - - ![Spirit_of_Children_2019](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spirit_of_Children_2019.jpg?width=992&name=Spirit_of_Children_2019.jpg)We love this story and are excited to share it with you! Spirit Halloween is a major Halloween retailer and their mission is to make hospitals less scary for kids and their families through their Spirit of Children organization. Spirit of Children has raised more than $55 million for Child Life departments since 2007 and their goal is to raise $10 million this year. According to an article on [PRNewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spirit-halloween-sets-record-10-million-spirit-of-children-fundraising-goal-to-make-hospitals-less-scary-for-pediatric-patients-300934381.html), Funds for Spirit of Children are raised via donations from customers at more than 1,360 Spirit Halloween stores and [SpiritHalloween.com](https://www.spirithalloween.com/content.jsp?pageName=soc), in addition to contributions from vendors and business partners. One hundred percent of funds raised by Spirit of Children stay local and are donated to each hospital's Child Life department. ![spirit2](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/spirit2.jpg?width=247&name=spirit2.jpg)These funds are used to host Halloween parties at pediatric hospitals during October so patients won't miss out on Halloween celebrations. This year they’re hosting around 100 Halloween parties across the U.S. and Canada. Overall Spirit of Children will [supply](https://www.weny.com/story/41160050/spirit-halloween-sets-record-10-million-spirit-of-children-fundraising-goal-to-make-hospitals-less-scary-for-pediatric-patients) more than 80,000 costumes, accessories, activities and decorations for the parties. Also patients and families get to meet favorite characters like Batman and Ben 10. Terry Spearman, Director of Child Life and Integrative Care Services at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C. said, "Spirit of Children recognizes that healing a child's body, mind and spirit takes more than medicine." According to [Penn State Children's Hospital](https://news.psu.edu/story/593447/2019/10/16/pediatric-patients-celebrate-halloween-early), The funds are also used to hire additional Child Life staff, extending Child Life hours of operation and providing full-time Child Life specialists in the Emergency Department. Educational and entertainment items such as iPads and toys used for distraction during procedures are also purchased with funding. In addition, Spirit of Children funding has helped create playrooms, teen lounges and separate family spaces for long hospital visits. See photos of Penn State Children's Hospital Spirit of Children Halloween party, [click here to view photos](https://www.flickr.com/photos/pennstatehershey/albums/72157711365685533). Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU is another participating hospital. Here’s their video showcasing their Spirit of Children Halloween party. Happy Halloween!!   Topics : - [spirit of children](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/spirit-of-children) - [halloween in hospital](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/halloween-in-hospital) - [hospital halloween party](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/hospital-halloween-party) - [spirit halloween](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/spirit-halloween) - [pediatric hospitals](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/topic/pediatric-hospitals) ### Recent Posts [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-1428257600.jpg) ##### Advancing Mental Health Equity for Every Community Thu, Jul 02, 2026 @ 09:34 AM Every July, the United States observes National Minority Mental Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the unique mental health challenges experienced by racial and ethnic minority... Read More ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/advancing-mental-health-equity-for-every-community) [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-2196910512.jpg) ##### Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Nursing School and Beyond Wed, Jun 24, 2026 @ 01:29 PM There's a moment almost every nursing student experiences. You're standing at the bedside, maybe it's your first clinical day, maybe it's your first week on the floor as a new grad, and a small, cold... Read More ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/overcoming-imposter-syndrome-in-nursing-school-and-beyond) [![](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hubfs/GettyImages-2173000043.jpg) ##### We're Still Burning: A Nurse's Take on the 2026 Burnout Statistics Wed, Jun 17, 2026 @ 10:33 AM I've been a Nurse long enough to remember when "burnout" wasn't something we talked about openly. You pushed through a brutal shift, grabbed a lukewarm coffee from the break room, and did it all... Read More ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/were-still-burning-a-nurses-take-on-the-2026-burnout-statistics) #### Subscribe to Email Our Newsletter [![Education_Award_Square](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Education_Award_Square.jpeg?width=485&height=317&name=Education_Award_Square.jpeg) ](https://blog.diversitynursing.com/education-award)