Inspire Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 5

Bringing Halloween Happiness Every Day MOST OF US ONLY LOOK FOR THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN STORE WHEN TRICK-OR- TREAT SEASON IS STARTING. However, the costume shop works year-round to make time in the hospital less frightening for kids and their families. Spirit of Halloween has a Spirit of Children program which includes a team that brings a variety of costumes to Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children for dress-up days. Pediatric patients and their siblings can choose to become anything from pirates to princesses during a fun-filled day of activities and games. The kids get to keep the costumes for future play. It’s a small gesture that brings great joy. “When a child picks his or her own costume, it really transforms the patient into being someone or something magical for a while,” said Sharon Domeraki, Spirit of Children coordinator and event leader. “It gives them a chance to be creative and playful while using their imagination. We’ve had sick kids just forget their illnesses and just be kids having fun.” Kapi‘olani is one of 139 hospitals across the country that benefits from the Spirit of Children program in more ways than one. Besides giving pediatric patients and families a much needed escape through smiles and laughter, Spirit of Halloween collects donations from customers from its local pop-up stores during the Hallow- een season. In the past five years, Spirit of Halloween has contrib- uted $148,700 to Kapi‘olani. It’s part of more than $37 million that the business has given to children’s hospitals since the program started in 2006. “Kapi‘olani is one of the most interactive and supportive hospi- tals that I work with,” Sharon said. “The Kapi‘olani staff knows our team well and has truly embraced our efforts.” Photos: Spirit of Children team members delivering holiday festivities to Kapi‘olani families. INSPIRE | FA L L 2 0 1 8 5