Spirit Halloween Kicks Off Its Annual "Spirit of Children Week" on October 12, 2015

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit Halloween, the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in North America, continues its annual tradition of bringing Halloween cheer and festivities to pediatric patients with its Spirit of Children program. Starting the week of October 12, 2015, and going through October 21, 2015, Spirit of Children will host 86 Halloween events in conjunction with the Child Life departments at hospitals throughout the United States and Canada. Founded in 2006, Spirit of Children provides critical funding to Child Life departments at partner hospitals all year round; making hospital stays less scary for kids and their families. To date, the philanthropic initiative has made an important impact in each community the program has touched, raising more than $22 million in cash and merchandise donations.

With patients often unable to leave the confines of the hospital environment, these Halloween parties will bring the fun of Halloween to the pediatric patients and their families; enabling them to experience the magic of the holiday like kids are supposed to, complete with costumes, accessories, decorations and activities.

"Halloween is a time for kids to dress up and be anything their imaginations can dream up," said Steven Silverstein, President and CEO, Spirit Halloween. "The Spirit of Children program is at the heart of Spirit Halloween. Through the program, we're able to bring the excitement and wonder of Halloween to children and their families in a way that normally wouldn't be possible. Additionally, the funds raised by our incredible customers goes to their local hospital's Child Life departments, ensuring critical funding during Halloween season and all year long."

A number of famous characters will be visiting some of the Spirit of Children parties across the country this year, giving kids the chance to "Go Go" with Saban's Power Rangers, "booyakasha" with Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, save the day with the Paw Patrol gang, dance it out with DreamWorks Animation's Oh from Home, kick it with Po from Kung Fu Panda, protect Gotham with DC's Batman, and explore distant lands with Cartoon Network's Jake the Dog of Adventure Time.

This year, Spirit of Children's goal is to raise $6.7 million – bringing its total contribution to more than $28 million donated since the program's inception 9 years ago. One hundred percent of the funds raised are donated to participating Child Life departments across North America and focus on the emotional and psychological well-being of hospitalized children. Spirit of Children's efforts fund a variety of programs within Child Life departments, including music and art therapy, games and toys for patients, and assistance in funding for additional services such as hospital playgrounds.

Spirit Halloween shoppers in any of the 1,150 Spirit Halloween stores throughout the United States and Canada who make at least a $2 donation will receive a branded Spirit of Children bracelet emblazoned with the hashtag #SpiritofChildren to encourage shoppers to help spread the message when sharing Halloween photos on social media.

To locate a Spirit Halloween store in your area, visit www.SpiritHalloween.com. To learn more about Spirit of Children and the incredible people involved in the program, check out our social media channels: "Like" us on Facebook www.facebook.com/SpiritOfChildren, follow us on Instagram instagram.com/spiritofchildren/ and check us out on YouTube www.youtube.com/user/SpiritOfChildren. Upload your own Spirit of Children photos and share your support by tagging photos with the hashtag #SpiritofChildren on your social media channels.

About Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween (www.spirithalloween.com) is the largest Halloween specialty retailer in the country with over 1,150 locations in strip centers and malls across North America. Celebrating 32 years of business, Spirit is the authority on all things Halloween, offering one-stop shopping for everything from costumes to decor and party goods to accessories. In addition to being a fun and interactive event for shoppers, Spirit stores offer complete selections of costumes and accessories for infants/toddlers, children, 'tweens, teens, and adults along with exclusive decor you won't find anywhere else.

At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children (www.spiritofchildren.com), a program which focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. For the 2015 Halloween season, Spirit of Children's goal is to raise $6.7 million, bringing its total contribution to more than $28 million since its inception in 2006. Spirit encourages customers to help make a difference in a child's life this Halloween season and raise awareness about the program via Facebook and Instagram by using #SpiritofChildren in their photos.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151009/275765

SOURCE Spirit Halloween

Related Links

http://www.spirithalloween.com