Spokane Shriners Hospital Hosts Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treating Event

Since 2007, the Spokane Shriners Hospital child life and recreational therapy departments have partnered with the Spirit of Children Foundation to host a Halloween party for patients and their families. Normally, participants enjoy craft projects, face painting and goodies, and they leave with a brand new costume of their choice.

However, COVID-19 brought on many safety measures at the Spokane Shriners Hospital which nearly canceled the yearly event.

The teams at the Spokane Shriners Hospital and local Spirit Halloween staff members worked together to organize a fun and festive drive-through event to keep everyone socially distanced and safe.

Cars packed with patients and their families drove through the Halloween-decorated Spokane Shriners Hospital turnaround driveway to receive costumes, candy, crafts, blankets and a pumpkin! Costumes and goodies are donated each year from the Spirit of Children Foundation, which to date has raised nearly $500,000 for the Spokane Shriners Hospital.

“Many kids and families are not celebrating the Halloween season normally this year,” said recreational therapist Larissa Sims. “This was a way for them to get out of the house and to celebrate as a family. So many people thought we weren’t going to be able to have the party this year, so they were so excited to celebrate in a somewhat normal way.”

Spirit of Children raises money for the Spokane Shriners Hospital, mainly through donations raised in Spirit Halloween stores. Do you need a costume for Halloween this year? You can grab one from the Spirit Halloween website! Use the coupon code GIVING20 to receive 10% off your purchase. Spirit Halloween will donate 10% back to the Spokane Shriners Hospital!

"Spirit of Children has been at the heart of our organization for more than a decade,” said Steven Silverstein, president and CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We are honored to bring a sense of normalcy to some of the toughest times a family and child go through, and that dedication doesn’t stop in a pandemic. We are determined, now more than ever, to bring the magic of Halloween to pediatric patients, even if we can’t be there in person this year.”

Though different this year, the Spirit Halloween Party was a great success. Thank you to the Spirit of Children Foundation for all that they do to support our hospital! Learn more about the event.