This October, Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children campaign is helping make hospital stays brighter for young patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Through Oct. 31, shoppers can round up or donate at checkout, with every dollar directly funding Golisano’s Child Life program, ensuring hospital stays are less “scary” year-round. In addition, Spirit Halloween will provide costumes, decorations, and crafts for a special Halloween-themed party for hospitalized children.
Shoppers save 10% with code GIVING25 online or by presenting a coupon in-store at participating locations. Additionally, Spirit Halloween will donate 10% back to support the Child Life program at participating children’s hospitals. The coupon is available at LeeHealthFoundation.org/Spirit and can be redeemed at the following seven locations:
- North Fort Myers: Merchant’s Crossing, 15201 North Cleveland Ave.
- Fort Myers: Former JOANN Fabric, 4610 South Cleveland Ave.
- Naples – East: Former Party City, 4377 Tamiami Trail N.
- Naples – South: Coastland Center, 1900 Tamiami Trail N.
- Port Charlotte: Former Winn Dixie, 3280 Tamiami Trail
- Estero: Coconut Point, 8072 Mediterranean Drive
- Venice: Former Big Lots, 565 U.S. 41 Bypass North
“We feel a deep sense of pride and privilege in our ability to support the critical work of child life specialists at over 160 partner hospitals across North America through Spirit of Children,” said Rick Tereo, director of the Spirit of Children Foundation. “Our efforts help these teams provide therapeutic healing, emotional support and developmentally appropriate education that equips young patients with the coping skills they need, while doctors and nurses focus on medical treatment.”
Since 2007, Spirit Halloween has donated more than $476,000 to Golisano Children’s Hospital Child Life program. These dedicated professionals use evidence-based techniques, such as medical play and therapeutic disciplines, to bring joy and comfort to hospitalized kids and their families, helping normalize their hospital experience.
“As certified child life specialists, we get to witness firsthand how Spirit of Children donations impact our department, patients, and families each year,” said Staci Kmetz, child life specialist at Golisano Children’s Hospital. “These funds allow us to purchase toys to help normalize the hospital environment, technology for play, and resources for diagnosis education and procedural support. One of the biggest impacts has been expanding our ability to care for neurodiverse patients by providing sensory items and equipment that create a safe, calming environment. These donations make the hospital a little less scary and a lot more fun, and we couldn’t do our jobs without Spirit Halloween’s incredible support.”
About Spirit of Children
At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children, a program which focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. Since fundraising began in 2007, Spirit of Children has raised over $145 million for the Child Life department at hospitals across the United States and Canada. Donations to Spirit of Children stay within local communities, with 100% of funds going toward support for Child Life. For the 2025 Halloween season, Spirit of Children will be supporting 162 pediatric hospitals across North America, with a goal to raise $18 million. Spirit Halloween encourages customers to help make a difference in a child’s life this Halloween season by donating at their local Spirit Halloween. For more information, please visit: SpiritofChildren.com.
About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida is nationally recognized for the quality care of pediatric patients. Established in 1994, Golisano is the only recognized children’s hospital in Southwest Florida. Ranked a U.S. News Top 100 Hospital for Pediatric Cancer, Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Pediatric Nephrology, and Pediatric Urology in 2023, as well as a 2022 Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Hospital serves more than 45,000 patients every year in relation to more than 30 specialty pediatric services such as cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics and more. Lee Health opened the current hospital building in May 2017 which offers 135-beds and includes comprehensive pediatric services such as a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.
