STHS Children’S partnered with Spirit Halloween for hospitalized patients

STHS CHILDREN’S PARTNERS WITH SPIRIT HALLOWEEN TO HOST SPECIAL PRE-HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Pediatric patients got a jump start on celebrating Halloween with a special initiative by Spirit Halloween offered through the hospital’s Child Life Department

This Halloween season, South Texas Health System Children’s has partnered with Spirit Halloween to help the hospital’s pediatric patients embrace the spirit of the spooky season with a special Halloween-themed party.

For more than five years, Spirit Halloween has supported STHS Children’s Child Life Department, which provides developmental, educational and therapeutic interventions to support children and families as they adjust to the hospital experience, through its national Spirit of Children initiative.

Using the excitement and imagination of Halloween, the retailer’s Rio Grande Valley stores have supported local children’s hospital journeys by donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of their Halloween costumes, accessories, décor and more to STHS Children’s, nearly $260,000 over the last five Halloween seasons.

“From sensory play equipment to arts and crafts supplies, Spirit Halloween’s generous donations over the years have helped provide a welcome distraction to the patients in our care. Throughout the week, we’re able to host a variety of activities for our patients that not only reduces their anxiety and stress, but puts smiles on their faces,” says Kim Davis, MBA, BSN, RN, Pediatric Administrator, STHS Children’s. “That’s all possible through the continued support of businesses and organizations like Spirit Halloween.”

But Spirit Halloween’s support of STHS Children’s goes beyond the monetary. Every October, the retailer hosts a special Halloween party at the facility in partnership with the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System to ensure hospitalized children don’t miss all the excitement of the season.

“This annual Spirit of Children Halloween Party is our special way of not only giving back to the community but bringing the spirit of Halloween to kids who otherwise wouldn’t be able to celebrate the holiday,” says Whitney Thompson, district sales manager for the Rio Grande Valley’s five Spirit Halloween stores.

In addition to providing patients with free costumes and special treats, children and their families can take part in Halloween-themed arts & crafts activities and games.

“Every kid loves Halloween, even those dealing with an illness or injury,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “That’s clear during these special Halloween parties made possible by Spirit Halloween. It’s heartwarming to watch our patients completely forget they’re in the hospital setting as they choose a costume they can’t wait to put on, get their faces painted and embrace the excitement of Halloween.”

This year’s Spirit Halloween party was held on Wednesday, October 16, in the STHS Children’s playroom located on the hospital’s third floor, with dozens of hospitalized children and their family members in attendance.

“I got to pick my costume and create some cool art,” says Francisco, a hospitalized patient at STHS Children’s. “This was so exciting, it really made my day.”

Francisco’s mom certainly appreciated the big grin the Halloween party put on his face.

“This event was such a welcome distraction for my sick child,” says Margarita Castillo. “As a mom, it’s so good to see him smile, especially after spending the last few days in his hospital room.”

For those patients who couldn’t attend the party in person due to medical limitations or restrictions, hospital staff made sure they received their free Halloween costume and participated in all the arts & crafts activities from the comfort of their hospital rooms.

This year, Spirit Halloween is once again raising funds to benefit the Child Life Department at STHS Children’s. Customers can use a special coupon redeemable at any of the five Spirit Halloween stores located across the Rio Grande Valley to save 10% on their purchase, with 10% of the sale being donated to the Auxiliary to STHS. The money raised helps fund art supplies, music, movies, games, pet therapy, and more. If you would like to support the initiative, you can find the coupon on the STHS Children’s website.

This year’s Spirit Halloween store locations include:

· McAllen I: 2901 N. 10th St., McAllen, TX 78501

· McAllen II: 1801 S. 10th St., McAllen, TX 78503

· Weslaco: 1025 Texas Blvd. North, Suite 9, Weslaco, TX 78596

· Harlingen: 1106 S. Expressway 83, Harlingen, TX 78552

· Brownsville: 2436 A Pablo Kisel Blvd., Brownsville, TX 78526

For more information on Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children initiative, including how you can support the campaign while saving money on your Halloween costumes with a 10% off coupon, visit STHSChildrens.com.

About South Texas Health System Clinics
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and six freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

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