Five Spirit Halloween locations across the Rio Grande Valley will support the Child Life Program at STHS Children’s by donating a portion of seasonal sales throughout the Halloween season.
For children facing a hospital stay, moments of comfort, play and normalcy can make all the difference.
Whether it’s a favorite toy, a creative activity or simply a chance to smile during a difficult day, those experiences can help ease fear and anxiety while supporting the healing process.
That belief is at the heart of Spirit Halloween’s Spirit of Children program, a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving the hospital experience for pediatric patients and their families.
Since its launch in 2006, the program has raised millions of dollars to support child life services at children’s hospitals across the country, including South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s in Edinburg.
Through annual fundraising efforts at Spirit Halloween locations, shoppers are given the opportunity to directly support programs that help children cope with illness, injury and hospitalization.
Funds raised locally benefit the STHS Children’s Child Life Program, which provides therapeutic play, emotional support, family-centered services and specialized resources designed to help young patients navigate their healthcare journey.
Since partnering with STHS Children’s in 2018, Spirit of Children has contributed nearly $390,000 to the Auxiliary to STHS. Those donations have helped expand access to sensory tools, therapeutic activities, toys, arts and crafts supplies and other resources that bring comfort, distraction and encouragement to children receiving care.
The community’s support continues to make a meaningful impact. In 2025, five Spirit Halloween stores in Brownsville, Harlingen and McAllen raised a record-setting $68,780 for the campaign, providing vital funding that helps Child Life specialists create brighter moments for pediatric patients across the Rio Grande Valley.
“Child Life services play an important role in helping children feel safe, supported and cared for throughout their healthcare journey,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Children’s and STHS Edinburg. “The continued commitment of Spirit Halloween and our community allows us to offer meaningful resources and therapeutic experiences that make a lasting difference for our patients and their families.”
With Halloween season approaching, Spirit Halloween has once again opened five stores across the Valley, inviting shoppers to celebrate the season while supporting a meaningful local cause.
Through the annual Spirit of Children campaign, a portion of sales and customer donations will benefit the Child Life Program at South Texas Health System Children’s, helping bring comfort, support and joy to pediatric patients and their families.
To officially launch the 2026 fundraising effort, STHS Children’s, the Auxiliary to STHS and Spirit Halloween gathered on September 2 for a special ribbon-cutting celebration at the seasonal retailer’s McAllen location. The event marked the beginning of another year of community support dedicated to enhancing the hospital experience for children across the region.
Guests learned how proceeds from the campaign help fund therapeutic activities, sensory resources and family-centered services through the Child Life Program, while also getting a first look at this year’s Halloween merchandise.
The celebration highlighted the powerful impact that local shoppers can have on the lives of children receiving care at STHS Children’s, turning Halloween fun into meaningful support for the Rio Grande Valley’s youngest patients.
“Through Spirit of Children, our stores become part of something bigger than Halloween,” said Whitney Thompson, Rio Grande Valley District Manager, Spirit Halloween. “Together with our customers, STHS Children’s and the Auxiliary, we are helping create brighter moments for children receiving care while supporting programs that enhance their hospital experience.”
To support the Spirit of Children campaign this Halloween season, Valley residents can visit any of five participating Spirit Halloween stores throughout the region. A portion of proceeds and customer donations collected at the locations below will help fund Child Life services and resources for patients at STHS Children’s:
- McAllen: 1801 S. 10th St., McAllen, TX 78503
- Mission: 501 S. Conway Ave., Mission, TX 78572
- Pharr: 1001 E. Expressway 83, Pharr, TX 78577
- Harlingen: 2020 S. Expressway 83, Harlingen, TX 78550
- Brownsville: 4465 Frontage Rd., Brownsville, TX 78526
Throughout the Halloween season, every purchase and donation made at these participating locations helps support programs and services that bring comfort, encouragement and healing to pediatric patients and their families across the Valley.
“This Halloween season, we hope Rio Grande Valley residents will join us in supporting a cause that is truly boo-tiful,” said Tom Castañeda, System Director of Marketing & Public Relations, STHS. “Every purchase and donation helps STHS Children’s provide meaningful programs and resources for hospitalized children, proving that a little Halloween spirit can have a hauntingly positive impact on young patients and their families.”
To learn more about the Spirit of Children initiative, find a participating Spirit Halloween location and access an exclusive coupon for 10% off your entire purchase, visit the STHS Children’s website.
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 dedicated 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.
Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
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