Spirit Halloween to Host Its Annual "Spirit of Children Week" Beginning October 13, 2014

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, N.J., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit Halloween, the largest seasonal Halloween retailer in North America, continues its annual tradition of bringing Halloween cheer and festivities to hospitalized children with its Spirit of Children program. Founded in 2006, Spirit of Children supports Child Life departments across the country– making hospital stays less scary for kids and their families. To date, the philanthropic initiative has raised more than $16 million. Funds raised through 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.

During the week of October 13, 2014, Spirit of Children will host more than 84 Halloween events in conjunction with the Child Life departments at hospitals throughout the United States and Canada. For a small period of time, pediatric patients and their families will be able to escape their reality and experience Halloween like kids should at events complete with costumes, accessories, decorations and activities. As part of an expansive marketing partnership between Spirit Halloween and Warner Bros., the Caped Crusader, Batman, will celebrate his 75^th anniversary by visiting select Spirit of Children parties across the country. In addition, Spirit Halloween will also be conducting an exclusive sweepstakes awarding two lucky winners the chance to win $7,500. To enter the sweepstakes, Batman fans can visit their local Spirit Halloween store or visit online at SpiritHalloween.com/Sweeps.  

"The Halloween season is a time for kids to be kids," said Steven Silverstein, President and CEO, Spirit Halloween. "Through our Spirit of Children program, we're able to bring the Halloween experience to families and help make memories they wouldn't be able to have otherwise. Not only is Batman a heroic, smart and strong force, but he's the ultimate costume icon! We're excited to be partnering with Warner Bros., so our participating families will be able to have Batman by their side as they take on Halloween together." 

In addition to Batman, other famous characters who will be visiting Spirit of Children parties across the country include Saban's Power Rangers Super Megaforce, Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, DreamWorks Animation's Puss in Boots, Skipper from Penguins of Madagascar, and Cartoon Network's Jake the Dog of Adventure Time.

This year, Spirit of Children's goal is to raise $5.2 million – bringing its total contribution to more than $21 million donated since the program's inception. One hundred percent of the funds raised are donated to participating Child Life departments across North America and 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, games and toys for patients, and assistance in funding additional services such as hospital playgrounds, 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 the more than 1,100 Spirit Halloween stores throughout the United States and Canada will go to its closest hospital, making an impact on its local community. Spirit Halloween shoppers who make at least a $2 donation will receive a branded Spirit of Children bracelet with the hashtag #SpiritofChildren for families to not only wear while trick-or-treating, but to upload Halloween photos showing their support for the program.

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, follow us on Instagram @SpiritHalloween and check us out on YouTube www.youtube.com/SpiritHalloween. Upload your spooky Spirit Halloween shopping experience by tagging photos with the hashtag #SpiritHalloween on your social media channels.

About Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween (www.spirithalloween.com) is the largest Halloween specialty retailer in the country with over 1,100 locations in strip centers and malls across North America. Celebrating 31 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 2014 Halloween season, Spirit of Children's goal is to raise $5.2 million, bringing its total contribution to more than $21 million since its inception in 2006. Spirit encourages customers to help make a difference in a child's life this Halloween season and raise awareness about the program via Facebook and Instagram by using #SpiritofChildren in their photos.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner.  DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world.

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics.
(s14)

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131008/CG93273LOGO

SOURCE Spirit Halloween