STHS Children’s Partners With Spirit Halloween To Host Special Pre-Halloween Celebration For Hospitalized Patients

Pediatric patients at STHS Children’s kick-started their All Hallows’ Eve celebrations thanks to a special partnership between the hospital’s Child Life Department, the Auxiliary to STHS and Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children initiative

Due to fears related to any pain they may be experiencing, the unknown environment with strange sounds and unfamiliar faces and separation from family and friends, a hospital stay can result in stress and anxiety in children.

But this spooky season, South Texas Health System Children’s is teaming up with Spirit Halloween to help make the hospital setting less intimidating.

For more than five years, Spirit Halloween has kindly supported the STHS Children’s Child Life Department, which provides developmental, educational and therapeutic interventions to help support children and families as they adjust to the hospital setting they find themselves in.

Through its Spirit of Children initiative, a nationwide campaign that builds on the excitement and imagination of Halloween to help make the hospital stay less scary for kids throughout the year, the seasonal retailer’s five Rio Grande Valley stores have helped create positive experiences for local children in the hospital by donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of their Halloween costumes, accessories, décor and more to STHS Children’s through South Texas Health System’s non-profit arm, the Auxiliary to STHS.

“The Child Life Department plays such an important role in the lives of hospitalized kids,” says Amanda Fox, District Manager, Spirit Halloween. “It not only allows them to feel less intimidated by the unfamiliar hospital setting, but the activities the staff host through the department helps them feel stronger and heal faster. For us, it’s an honor to help children in their healing journeys; we’re excited to do that.”

Over the last seven years, Spirit Halloween has donated nearly $325,000 to STHS Children’s to support hospitalized patients throughout the year, not just during the spooky season.

“Spirit Halloween’s support throughout the years has helped provide a welcome distraction for the patients in our care by allowing us to buy everything from sensory play equipment to arts & crafts supplies for special activities and programs,” says Kim Davis, MBA, BSN, RN, Pediatric Administrator, STHS Children’s. “Throughout the week, our Child Life Department hosts activities for our patients that help reduce their anxiety and stress while putting smiles on their faces. None of that would be possible without the continued support of community partners like Spirit Halloween.”

But Spirit Halloween’s investment in the patients at STHS Children’s goes beyond the financial. Every October, the retailer hosts a special pre-Halloween party at the facility in partnership with the Auxiliary to STHS to ensure hospitalized children don’t miss all the excitement leading up to All Hallows’ Eve.

On Wednesday, October 15, STHS Children’s, the Auxiliary to STHS and Spirit Halloween hosted its 2025 All Hallows’ Eve celebration, gifting patients and their siblings free costumes and special treats while leading the children and their families in Halloween-themed arts & crafts activities, interactive games and more.

“It’s all part of celebrating the magic and mystery associated with Halloween, even for those dealing with health issues that require hospitalization,” says Tom Castañeda, System Director or Marketing & Public Relations, South Texas Health System. “During these annual Spirit Halloween parties, it’s heartwarming to see our patients completely forget they’re in the hospital as they rummage through piles of costumes to find the perfect one for them this season, as well as get their faces painted with Halloween-themed designs and embrace the ghoulish excitement of Halloween.”

For patients unable to attend the Spirit Halloween party due to medical limitations or restrictions, hospital staff went room to room to ensure they received their free Halloween costume and took part in all activities from the comfort of their hospital rooms.

If you’d like to support Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children initiative, it’s not too late.

“During the Halloween season, you can come into any of the five Spirit Halloween stores in the Rio Grande Valley and make a direct donation,” says Fox. “Every dollar you donate at the store stays local. So, come out to the stores and make your donation!”

For more information on the Spirit of Halloween initiative, find a Spirit Halloween store near you and show your support while saving money on your Halloween costumes and décor via an exclusive 10%-off digital coupon on your entire order, visit STHSChidlrens.com.

About South Texas Health System
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 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 seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.