Spirit Halloween helps take the scariness out of being in the hospital

Spirit Halloween stores are those retailers that often pop up in empty office spaces in strip malls by the end of the summer, fully stocked with the spookiest lawn decorations, a plethora of costumes for all ages and all things gore.

While “scary” is at the heart of what Spirit Halloween supplies, the retailer took a sweeter tone on Wednesday by hosting a Halloween party for patients at Providence Children’s Hospital.

Children got to dress up, make festive crafts and eat Halloween goodies. Spirit even donated costumes to the patients.

This is the ninth year Spirit and Providence have teamed up to celebrate Halloween a bit early through its Spirit of Children program.

In that program, Spirit Halloween will host nearly 100 parties at partner hospitals across the country so patients can enjoy the tricks and treats of the season despite being in the hospital.

“We believe children need more than medicine to heal,” Ana Aburto, a child-life specialist at Providence Children’s hospital, said. “Doctors, nurses, staff are wonderful at doing that medicine. It’s incredible and we wouldn’t be able to do anything without them.

“But being a child, what they really, really need is the opportunity to be a child.”

The Spirit of Children grants given to hospitals assists in hiring Child Life staff and providing full-time specialists in the emergency room.

Spirit Halloween has a goal of $9 million. Those interested in helping Spirit can donate on its website.