Spirit Halloween's Spirit of Children Brings $61,994 to Golisano Children's Hospital
The Floridant/10223193

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Floridant -- Spirit Halloween presented a $57,794 check to the Child Life professionals of Golisano Children's Hospital Feb. 21. The funds were part of the Spirit of Children campaign held last October, when the company also gifted $4,200 in costumes, decorations and crafts – helping to make Halloween fun and the hospital less scary for the children hospitalized during the holiday.

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 $409,150 in donations and in-kind gifts of costumes, decorations and surprises for children since partnering with Golisano Children's Hospital in 2007.

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:

• Hiring essential Child Life Specialists
• Purchasing sensory and educational items as well as adaptive toys and medical teaching dolls
• Supporting art, music, canine, and horticulture therapy programs
• Constructing and renovating playrooms, playgrounds, teen lounges and family spaces

"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."

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