Darrell K. Terry, Sr., MHA, MPH, FACHE, FHELA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (center with check); Anne Reilly, MS, CCLS, Manager of the Child Life Department (to his left); Spirit of Children representatives and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey clinicians and administrators at the Spirit of Children presentation ceremony to mark the largest donation to date of $135,752 to the Child Life Program at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital.
Barbara Romito, MA, CCLS, Child Life Director at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital accepting the Spirit of Children Foundation donation.
(March 6, 2025) – The Spirit of Children Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Spirit Halloween, has surpassed a remarkable milestone, donating over $2 million to two RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Network Hospitals since the partnership began. This year, Spirit of Children presented a combined total of $234,199 to The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital (BMSCH) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center to continue its commitment to providing joy and comfort to pediatric patients.
The donations from Spirit of Halloween directly support the Child Life Programs at both BMSCH and CHoNJ, ensuring that young patients receive the emotional and developmental support they need during their hospital stay. Child Life specialists use tools such as educational equipment, iPads, and distraction toys to help children cope during medical procedures. Spirit of Children’s contributions also help make Halloween a special experience for hospitalized children by donating costumes, activity books, crayons, and treat bags.
“Spirit of Children Foundation’s extraordinary generosity and continued ongoing support for our Child Life team is phenomenal. Their contributions over the past 15 years have greatly contributed to the care we provide for our pediatric patients and families,” said Darrell K. Terry, Sr., MHA, MPH, FACHE, FHELA, President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.”
“Here at BMSCH we admit thousands of children for treatment each year and are always in need of entertainment, toys, and programs to reduce their anxiety and make their hospital stay a pleasant one,” said Barbara Romito, Director, Child Life at BMSCH. “The generous donations from Spirit of Children allow us to maintain a warm, family-centered environment for our children and families.”
The biggest impact of the Spirit of Children’s support at CHoNJ in 2024 was in the pediatric emergency department, where CHoNJ’s Spirit of Children-sponsored Child Life Specialist saw 7,021 pediatric patients and provided support to patients and families during 1,319 procedures.
“Spirit of Children allows us to continue bringing joy and comfort to our young patients in countless ways,” said Anne Reilly, MS, CCLS, Manager of the Child Life Department at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.
To learn more about the RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health Network visit rwjbh.org/childrenshealthservices.
About RWJBarnabas Health Children’s Health Network
In partnership with Rutgers Health, the RWJBH Children’s Health Network provides advanced research, teaching, social impact initiatives and outstanding care to improve the health and well-being of every child in every community. The nationally-ranked Children’s Health Network includes four comprehensive acute care Children’s Hospitals/Centers, Children’s Specialized Hospital, a pediatric rehabilitation and long-term care hospital, nearly 900 primary and specialty care providers, and the full array of tertiary and quaternary physical and mental health services for children.