100% of local funds to support the Child Life program at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital
CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 10, 2022 – Every year, Spirit Halloween brings the thrills and chills of the Halloween season to customers across the United States and Canada. Since 2008, the seasonal retailer has provided that same magic to patients at Levine Children’s Hospital through its Spirit of Children program, which collects in-store donations for local children’s hospitals and provides memorable experiences for patients during their hospital stay. This week, Spirit Halloween presented its 2021 gift in the amount of $135,440 to Levine Children’s Hospital’s Child Life program. This is the company’s largest contribution in its history to the children’s hospital.
With visitor restrictions in place at children’s hospitals nationwide, Spirit Halloween representatives weren’t able to celebrate the holiday with patient families as in years past. Instead, special care packages, containing costumes, activity books, crayons and treat bags, were delivered to partner hospitals. Child Life specialists and nurses at Levine Children’s Hospital helped deliver the packages to each patient’s room.
“During these challenging times in healthcare, Spirit Halloween not only shared costumes with our patients, but they also shared a special gift with our staff,” said Carrie Keuten, group/event coordinator at Atrium Health Levine Children’s. “This event lifted the spirits of those that have been working tirelessly to care for their patients. I could hear the chatter and laughter as nurses and Child Life specialists picked out costumes that they thought would best fit each child’s personality. We are incredibly grateful to Spirit Halloween for making these memories possible.”
Child Life specialists at Levine Children’s Hospital work alongside doctors, nurses and families to help children cope while being in the hospital – and adding in a little bit of fun, whenever possible. Certified Child Life specialists use medical play, video, and other recreational and educational tools to help restore a sense of control and normalcy in patients’ lives during their hospitalization. To date, local Spirit Halloween stores have helped raise over $612,000 for this vital patient program.
About Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children program:
Spirit of Children brings fun and funding to local hospitals at Halloween and all year round through monetary donations to support Child Life and by providing costumes, accessories, decorations, and most everything needed for a Halloween party including volunteers from local Spirit stores.
Our mission is to make hospitals less scary for kids and their families through support of the Child Life department at partner hospitals in our local communities. Since 2007 Spirit of Children has raised over $93 million to provide funding for art, music, aquatic and pet therapy programs as well as supporting Child Life salaries. Funding has also helped partner hospitals purchase sensory and educational items, toys used for distraction during medical procedures, and much more. 100% of every dollar donated supports the Child Life department in our 151 partner hospitals across the United States and Canada and supports Child Life departments at hospitals in local communities.