Spooky Fun: Scenes From Halloween 2024 at CHLA

It might still be scorching at the end of July, but that’s when the Child Life and Foundation teams start picking out their witch hats, cat ears, and jack-o-lanterns. Halloween is on its way, and the planning must begin immediately.

On Oct. 31, all that planning finally comes to fruition. Across the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Sunset campus, a sea of wizards, superheroes, and animals—and even giant vegetables—greet one another. Inside Child Life’s “Pumpkin Party,” costumed kids pose with Bailey, the LA Kings mascot, enjoy games, and color Halloween cards sent to them by supporters.  

“It takes a lot of teamwork,” says Yajaira Venegas, Coordinator of Patient Events and engagements and the event planner for this year’s Halloween festivities. “The whole department helps out, from Child Life specialists to activity coordinators.”

“Kids in the hospital don’t have many choices, so even coming out of their room to celebrate can be a choice,” adds Julie Halverson, who’s dressed as Joy from Pixar’s “Inside Out.”  

Annual Halloween greeting card drive

Each year, Child Life and the CHLA Foundation collaborate on a Halloween card campaign that invites community members to send a personal message of cheer to a patient. This year, an anonymous donor pledged $1 for each card sent by Oct. 31, committing up to $50,000.

Ultimately, thousands of supporters across the country sent in nearly 43,000 cards. “When our young patients are admitted to the hospital and can’t go trick-or-treating, we bring the fun to them,” says Carol Hamamoto, Manager of Child Life and Expressive Arts and Therapies at CHLA. “The Halloween cards are incredibly meaningful because they let kids know that people in the community are thinking of them.”

Costume distribution

On the eve of Halloween, the Child Life team and volunteers helped to distribute more than 350 Halloween costumes, donated by corporate supporters, to CHLA inpatients and their siblings. 

“The excitement on kids’ faces when they get to pick a costume is the best thing ever,” says Venegas. 

Third annual NICCU costume contest

For the third year in a row, nurses in the Stephen & Alexandra Cohen Foundation Newborn and Infant Critical Care Unit (NICCU) coordinated a onesie-decorating contest. 

Organizers Laura Wordel, RN, and Holly O’Quinn, RN, invited team members across the organization to pick up a plain white onesie and submit their designs. 

NICCU team members and parents voted on the winners the week before Halloween. 

On Halloween, interested parents pick out a costume to dress their baby in and keep. 

As O’Quinn points out, October is the kickoff to the holiday season for many families. “Having a child in the hospital over a holiday can be incredibly difficult,” she says. 

“Giving them little mementos to hold on to helps add a little joy, even if it’s only for a few hours.”

Pumpkin Party

Child Life invites outpatients in the morning and inpatients in the afternoon to a special “Pumpkin Party” filled with music, games, crafts, and opportunities to celebrate with local sports teams like the LA Kings, LA Galaxy, and USC football.  

“Sometimes the hospital is the families’ second home, so being able to step off their unit and step into an event specifically designed for them to enjoy is so special,” says Venegas.

Team member costume contest and celebrations 

CHLA team members gathered to show off their costumes in the Healing Garden for this year’s team member celebration. The team member costume contest is a highly competitive annual event.  

Winners will be announced Nov. 4. 

One day, one big deal

“Our team members love celebrating Halloween with patients and their families,” says Hamamoto. “Child Life values the importance of recognizing holidays and other major milestones because it fosters connection and a sense of normalcy.”

For all, events like Halloween provide an opportunity to create a bright spot for patients during days, weeks, and even months that might all feel the same. The celebration might only last a day, but the memories stay for much longer.