Patients at Children's of Alabama Celebrate Halloween Thanks to Protective Life Corporation, Community Partners

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Children’s of Alabama celebrated Halloween thanks to the generosity of community partners who helped provide trick-or-treat bags for patients in the hospital.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual Trick-or-Treat Parade throughout the hospital was cancelled, but that did not stop patients from getting into the Halloween spirit. “Reverse trick-or-treating” was organized by the Child Life department at Children’s. Child Life specialists packed and delivered trick-or-treat bags to patients, which included Halloween-themed items such as books, pillowcases, crafts, teddy bears, socks, sunglasses and glow bracelets.

Child Life uses age-appropriate education, preparation and supportive activities to minimize the stress of being in the hospital and help children and their families cope positively with their healthcare experience. Participating in activities such as the Trick-or-Treat Celebration encourages normal development and a sense of fun despite challenging circumstances.

“The Trick-or-Treat Celebration at Children’s of Alabama would not be possible without our presenting sponsor, Protective, and other community partners,” said Mindy Wald, community development manager at Children’s of Alabama. “Because of the community support, we are able to give patients the opportunity to celebrate Halloween despite being hospitalized. COVID-19 has turned everyone's world upside down, including ours, but our young patients still need our staff to be here on the front lines to keep delivering on our promises. We are able to do that because of our partners.”

For the sixth year, Protective Life Corporation (Protective) is serving as the presenting sponsor of the Halloween festivities at Children’s.

“At Protective, we are proud to be a longtime supporter of Children’s of Alabama and look forward to the Halloween festivities each year,” said Eva Robertson, VP Community Relations and Executive Director of the Protective Life Foundation. “Although we cannot celebrate together in person this year, it is a privilege to play a role in bringing joy and the Halloween spirit to the patients, families and staff at Children’s.”

Contributors to the trick-or-treat bags included Spirit of Halloween, Books-a-Million, Whataburger, Brasfield and Gorrie, Angel Pillowcases and O’Neal Steel.

View Photos from the Trick-or-Treat Celebration

ABOUT CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA

Since 1911, Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Ranked among the best pediatric medical centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Children’s provided care for youngsters from every county in Alabama and 42 other states last year, representing more than 684,000 outpatient visits and more than 15,000 inpatient admissions. With more than 3.5 million square feet, Children’s is one of the largest pediatric medical facilities in the United States. It is a private, not-for-profit medical center that serves as the teaching hospital for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, psychiatry, research and residency programs. The medical staff consists of UAB faculty and Children’s of Alabama’s full-time physicians as well as private practicing community physicians.