Nicklaus Children’s welcomed Spirit of Children, Spirit Halloween’s Charitable Foundation, to celebrate Spirit of Children Day with patients and their families, including guest appearances by the Ghostbusters. With a mission to make hospitals less scary for kids and their families, Spirit of Children continued its tradition of providing patients and their siblings with a new costume for Halloween as well as seasonal activities.
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Orange State Ghostbusters surprised patients and their families during the Spirit of Children celebration, made sure no ghosts were in sight and took photos with patients and their families.
In addition to offering patients and their siblings a Halloween costume, Spirit of Children and Nicklaus also hosted arts and crafts, including pumpkin painting. Spirit of Children added to the fun by donating activity books, crayons, and treat bags, ensuring everyone gets a chance to enjoy Halloween this year – even those that couldn’t join in on the fun in the lobby.
“I could never have imagined the impact Spirit of Children would have when we first started this program, but through the incredible efforts of our team and unwavering support from our guests, we were able to eclipse $110 million in total donations last year, an incredible achievement,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween and Founder of Spirit of Children. “Halloween is especially magical for children. For children in hospitals, a Halloween celebration not only brings joy and fun during a scary time, but also creates a sense of normalcy by helping them participate in the childhood fun that all of their peers also enjoy.”
Child Life specialists play a vital role in helping sick children and their families cope with what can be a complex and challenging time in the hospital. While an estimated 50 percent to 75 percent of children develop fear or anxiety before and during a hospital stay, patients who benefit from Child Life services experience less emotional distress, better coping during the hospital stay, and a more positive physical recovery.
“Our Child Life Specialists here at Nicklaus Children’s create many opportunities to normalize the hospital experience for children through an array of interventions and activities,” explained Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “We are thankful for Spirit of Children and Spirit Halloween for the funding they provide to support our Child Life Program. Our specialists are the talent behind the scenes that make the magic for our patients every day they are in our care.”
The partnership between pediatric hospitals nationwide and Spirit of Children is built within each community. Here in South Florida, 100 percent of the funds raised at stores directly benefits Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
Support from Spirit of Children’s allows Nicklaus Children’s to add staff, extend hours, and provide a wide variety of therapy programs and sensory times to equip staff with the resources needed to support patients throughout the year.