Mapp Child and Family Life Program receives nearly $62,000 donation from Spirit of Children
Plans call for recent Spirit of Children donations to pay for a clinical canine program at the hospital beginning later this year.
By Casandra Andrews
[email protected]
To help pediatric patients, Spirit of Children recently donated more than $61,000 to USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital in support of its Mapp Child and Family Life Program.
USA Health’s child life specialists provide procedural preparation and support, therapeutic play and other therapeutic activities for pediatric patients receiving hospital and emergency department care. They strive to create a safe, supportive environment for children, their families, and caregivers as they manage the stress of a hospital visit.
With the donation, Spirit of Children surpassed $460,000 in total donations to the hospital. Each year, local Spirit Halloween stores donate a portion of their sales through the Spirit of Children program to support the child and family life program. The funds come from donations made by shoppers at Mobile- and Baldwin-area Spirit Halloween locations, northwest Florida stores and on SpiritHalloween.com.
“We are so grateful for the generous support provided by Spirit of Children to our program,” said Kim Thompson-Yates, who leads the Mapp Child and Family Life Program at Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “This funding, plus annual donations of new costumes help make sure our patients and their parents and siblings have positive experiences when they are staying at the hospital.”
Specifically, the Mapp Child and Family Life team uses the Spirit of Children donations to fund sensory-friendly programming and equipment such as the purchase of tactile toys, light shows, and sound machines in the hospital’s pediatric emergency center. Plans call for recent donations to pay for a clinical canine program at the hospital.
“Our team is so thankful for the continued support from Spirit of Children,” said Debbie Browning, MSN, RN, CENP, hospital CEO. “Their generosity goes far beyond financial support. They consistently find meaningful ways to show up for our pediatric patients and staff, from helping fund critical needs to bringing joy through Halloween costumes and celebrations for every child in our care. Their commitment truly makes a positive difference for the families we serve.”
