Spirit Halloween’s ‘spook-tacular’ gift makes a big impact on Holland Bloorview
Thanks to the generosity of retailer Spirit Halloween, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s Child Life program can better support kids during their hospital stay. Since 2012, the company has been raising money to support this vital program that helps children and families understand and process their medical experiences and helps make hospital stays a little less scary for kids and youth through play and arts-based interventions.
The $1-million donation through the retailer’s fundraising division, Spirit of Children, has enabled the hospital to purchase new medical toys for their in-patient children such as dolls with IV bags as well as art supplies. The donation has also enabled the hospital to upgrade its Snoezelen sensory room for children and youth staying on the in-patient unit so they can relax or interact with gentle music, vibrations and lighting in the space. “The support we’ve received form Spirit Halloween has had a tremendous impact on the Child Life program. We can now purchase exactly what we need to support children and families,” says Katherine Schnurr, a child life specialist at the hospital.
To celebrate Spirit Halloween’s milestone gift, the hospital’s child life and therapeutic recreation teams teamed up with some 20 staff from the retail company and threw a ‘spook-tacular’ Halloween costume party for some 70 inpatient children and youth along with their families on October 17. Kids and youth got to pick out a free costume, donated by Spirit of Children and Spirit Hallowen, get dressed up and enjoyed music, games, cupcake decorating, pumpkin painting and more!
Greg Dobson, consignment operator of the Halloween costume retailer, has a personal connection to the hospital. One of his close friend’s daughter needed support from the hospital some 20 years ago, so he drove her and her mom a few times to Holland Bloorview and was impressed by the care they provided.
“The facility and staff are amazing! They are all incredibly dedicated and positive. We’ve supported Holland Bloorview for all these years and will continue to support this wonderful place for years to come.”
Story provided by Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. The hospital is located at 150 Kilgour Road.
