Spirit Halloween to Host Annual "Spirit of Children Week" Beginning October 14, 2013

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit Halloween, the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in North America, continues its annual tradition of bringing the fun and fantasy of the season to hospitalized children with the Spirit of Children program. Founded in 2006, Spirit of Children has supported Child Life departments to make hospital stays less scary for kids and their families. The Spirit of Children program positively impacts thousands of pediatric patients and their families by providing both fun and funding to hospitals during the Halloween season and all year long.

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During the week of October 14, 2013, Spirit of Children will host more than 80 Halloween events in conjunction with the Child Life departments at hospitals throughout the United States and Canada. Pediatric patients and their families will experience the joy of Halloween at hospital events complete with costumes, accessories, decorations and activities. Once again this year, Saban's Power Rangers are teaming up with Spirit of Children by making special appearances at 16 hospital Halloween parties.  In addition to the Power Rangers Megaforce, Jake from Adventure Time, Olivia the Pig, Strawberry Shortcake & Cherry Jam and Spookley the Square Pumpkin will make guest appearances at select hospital events throughout the country.

In addition to participating in Spirit of Children Week, the Power Rangers Megaforce and Spirit Halloween are partnering to POWER UP Halloween safety for kids nationwide. To ensure that safety is made a priority when trick-or-treating, a Halloween Safety campaign, sponsored by the Power Rangers, will provide education about the importance of staying with a group, not taking candy that isn't wrapped, and many other safety tips. The program is supported with online, TV, and in-school public service materials along with a Power Rangers safety glow section found in every Spirit Halloween.

"The Halloween season is a magical time of year," said Steven Silverstein, President and CEO, Spirit Halloween. "Spirit of Children allows us to bring some of that magic to families who otherwise wouldn't be able to celebrate the occasion. We're excited to be partnering with Saban's Power Rangers again this year, giving children the opportunity to meet some of their favorite superheroes and support the important message of the Power Rangers safety campaign."

This year, Spirit of Children's goal is to raise $5 million – bringing its total contribution to more than $16 million donated since the program's inception. One hundred percent of the funds raised are donated to Child Life departments, which focus on the emotional and psychological well-being of hospitalized children while doctors and nurses focus on their medical needs. Through its donations, Spirit of Children has funded a variety of resources including music and art therapy programs, aid in purchasing games and toys for patients, and assistance in funding additional services such as playrooms, so kids can leave their room and spend time with their peers.

Whether shopping online or in a Spirit Halloween location for this year's top costumes and decor, shoppers can donate to the Spirit of Children program. The funds raised in each of the 1,050 Spirit Halloween stores throughout the United States and Canada will go to its closest hospital, making an impact on their local community. Spirit Halloween shoppers who make at least a $2 donation will receive their choice of a branded Spirit of Children bracelet or a glow-in-the-dark bracelet for kids to wear while trick-or-treating.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Spirit Halloween for the second year in a row, bringing the Power Rangers to children and their families across North America," said Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands. "Saban Brands is proud to be partnering with Spirit Halloween and its Spirit of Children Week, working towards the common goal of bringing joy to children."

To locate a Spirit Halloween store in your area, visit www.SpiritHalloween.com. For exclusive discounts and the inside scoop on all things Halloween, "Like" us if you dare on Facebook www.Facebook.com/SpiritHalloween, follow us on Pinterest www.Pinterest.com/SpiritHalloween, follow us on Twitter @SpiritHalloween, and check us out on YouTube www.youtube.com/SpiritHalloweencom.

About Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween (www.spirithalloween.com) is the largest Halloween specialty retailer in the country with over 1,050 locations in strip centers and malls across North America. Celebrating 30 years of business, Spirit is the authority on all things Halloween, offering one-stop shopping for everything from costumes to decor and party goods to accessories. In addition to being a fun and interactive event for shoppers, Spirit stores offer complete selections of costumes and accessories for infants/toddlers, children, 'tweens, teens, and adults along with exclusive decor you won't find anywhere else. At the heart of Spirit Halloween is Spirit of Children (www.spiritofchildren.com), a program which focuses on making hospitals less scary for kids and their families. For the 2013 Halloween season, Spirit of Children's goal is to raise $5 million, bringing its total contribution to more than $16 million since its inception in 2006.

About Saban's Power Rangers Megaforce
Power Rangers Megaforce is the current season of the iconic franchise on television. The series, which airs Saturdays at 1p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, delivers mega action, humor, excitement and entertainment, in addition to the core themes of friendship, teamwork, fitness, and helping others. Power Rangers Megaforce premiered as Saban Brands celebrates the 20^th Anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise, which is helmed by Haim Saban, who created and produced the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series in 1993. Following its introduction, Power Rangers quickly became the most-watched children's television program in the United States and remains one of the top-rated and longest running boys live-action series in television history.  The series followed the adventures of a group of ordinary young people who "morphed" into superheroes. It was seen in more than 60 countries, translated into numerous languages, and was a mainstay in the most prominent international children's programming blocks.  SCG Power Rangers LLC, which licenses and merchandises the Power Rangers brand, is an affiliate of Saban Brands. For more information, visit www.powerrangers.com.

SOURCE Spirit Halloween