Mega Doctor News
Edinburg / McALLEN, Texas – A hospital stay can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for any patient, especially a child. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, medical equipment and an unfamiliar environment, young patients can easily feel frightened and anxious.
Since 2006, the Spirit of Children initiative has helped make hospitals less intimidating for children and their families. What began as Halloween parties in 11 hospitals nationwide has grown into a program that supports more than 150 pediatric healthcare facilities across the country, including South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s in Edinburg.
Each year, Spirit Halloween donates a portion of proceeds from the sale of its costumes, accessories and Halloween décor to support child life programs at participating hospitals. These funds help create positive, comforting experiences for pediatric patients during their hospital stay.
Since 2018, Spirit of Children has donated nearly $390,000 to the Auxiliary to South Texas Health System, helping fund services provided through the STHS Children’s Child Life Program. The donations support patient, sibling and family services, sensory equipment and patient-focused resources such as therapeutic programming, toys, crafts and art supplies.
In 2025 alone, the Spirit of Children campaign raised a record-breaking $68,780 through five Rio Grande Valley Spirit Halloween stores located in Brownsville, Harlingen and McAllen.
“The generosity of Spirit Halloween and our community continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children we serve,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Children’s and STHS Edinburg. “Every costume purchased and every donation made helps fund programs and resources that bring comfort, healing and hope to pediatric patients and their families.”
As the Halloween season approaches, Spirit Halloween is preparing to open five locations across the Valley once again, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Child Life Program at STHS Children’s.
“We are proud to partner with STHS Children’s and the Auxiliary to support young patients across the Rio Grande Valley,” said Whitney Thompson, Rio Grande Valley District Manager, Spirit Halloween. “Through Spirit of Children, our customers become part of something much bigger than Halloween by helping fund programs that make hospital stays less frightening and more positive for children and their families.”
For more information about the Spirit of Children campaign, to find a Spirit Halloween store near you or to access a coupon for 10% off your entire purchase, visit STHSChidlrens.com.
