Spirit of Children Foundation Makes 16th Annual Donation in Support of the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey

Darrell K. Terry, Sr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey and Tom Aquilino, Spirit of Children (center with check); Anne Reilly, MS, CCLS, Manager of the Child Life Department; Spirit of Children representatives and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey clinicians and administrators at the check presentation ceremony to mark the largest donation to date of $138,141 to the Child Life Program at Children's Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ) at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital.

The Foundation Has Given More Than $1.3 Million in Support of Child Life Services

Newark, NJ (April 14, 2026) - The Spirit of Children Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Spirit Halloween, presented their largest annual donation to date of $138,141 to the Child Life program at Children's Hospital of New Jersey at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health Children's Network Hospital.

Over the course of the last 16 years Spirit of Children Foundation has donated $1.3 million to the Child Life Program at Children's Hospital of New Jersey.

"The Spirit of Children Foundation understands our mission and vision for providing excellent care, with compassion and empathy for our patients. Their support enhances our Child Life team's ability to deliver exemplary emotional support and therapeutic care to our youngest patients," 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.

Spirit of Children donations support Child Life Services and therapeutic tools such as educational equipment, iPads, and distraction toys to help children cope during medical procedures. Spirit of Children contributions also help make Halloween a special experience for hospitalized children by delivering costumes, activity books, crayons, and treat bags to hospitalized patients.

In 2025, with support of the Spirit of Children Foundation, the Child Life program was able to extend its services into the pediatric emergency room, delivering care and support to approximately 1,166 pediatric patients.

Learn more about Child Life Services at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health Children's Health Network.