Feel Good Friday - 10/31 Consortium

Happy Halloween! Today we’re profiling a krewe that’s been organizing Halloween events for children for the last 15 years, 10/31 Consortium.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 10/31 Consortium was started by a group of friends who love Halloween and wanted to find ways for the children in their area to have a safe an happy Halloween. You can watch this 2-minute explainer video to hear the origin story from one of the founders.

The goals of 10/31 Consortium include revitalizing the neighborhood tradition of trick-or-treating, providing comfort and support to children who are hospitalized, and creating outlets for the community to express its Halloween creativity. There are several programs that support these goals.

Trick or Treat assistance helps neighborhoods who want to encourage trick-or-treating by proving costumes for children, candy for neighbors to hand out, flashlights, street closures and security. Free costumes, both new and gently used, are collected during a costume and candy drive that runs from from September 1st through the costume giveaway day in mid-October.

In partnership with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, 10/31 Consortium provides goodie bags for hospitalized children that can include art supplies, Halloween crafts and gift cards. There is also a Kids’ Court Youth Leadership and Volunteer Program that was created in 2018 to teach children ages 6-18 about organization, compassion and public speaking.

In addition to all of this, 10/31 Consortium organizes the Fifolet Halloween Festival every year. It is Baton Rouge’s largest free Halloween event and the 4-day festival culminates with a Halloween parade and food drive. The 2025 Festival took place earlier this month but now you know so you can plan your visit for next year. 

Since they began, 10/31 Consortium has collected more than 12,000 pounds of food, donated $25,000 to OLOL Children’s Hospital, and given away 6,409 Halloween costumes for a total financial impact of $335,247!

If you’d like to support their work you can volunteer your time, donate your money and shop for merch. You can also raise awareness on social media by following 10/31 Consortium on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and subscribing to their YouTube channel.

Feel Good Friday - Spirit of Children

Tis the season when Spirit Halloween stores pop up in empty storefronts across the country. Yes, but why are we talking about them on Feel Good Friday? To learn about their Spirit of Children program, of course. 

Created in 2006, the mission of Spirit of Children (SoC) is “to make hospital stays less scary for kids and their families”. In the first year, SoC hosted Halloween parties at 11 hospitals. Today these celebrations happen in 147 partner hospitals around the United States and Canada.

 

In addition to Halloween parties, Spirit of Children has raised over $77 million in cash and merchandise donations to support Child Life departments in their partner hospitals. These are departments that provide developmental, educational and therapeutic support for children undergoing medical treatment.

Donations are collected from customers in the 1400+ Spirit Halloween stores and 100% of the money goes to partner hospitals in communities local to the stores. As they explain on the website, the money raised provides, “salaries for Child Life Specialists and Fellows, a full-time Child Life presence in the Emergency Department, creation of dedicated playrooms, teen lounges and family space, and the ability for our hospitals to purchase sensory and educational equipment, computers, iPads and distraction toys for use during procedures as well as toys created specifically for physical and developmental limitations.”

To get a sense of the work and the impact, watch the 5-minute video on this page. You’ll hear from children and their parents and see the Halloween parties in full swing.

 

If you’d like to support Spirit of Children, the best way to do so is by making a donation when you’re in a store tomorrow buying your last minute sexy fill-in-the-blank costume. To stay informed year-round, follow Sprit Halloween on social media. Like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @SpiritHalloween and Instagram @apirithalloween.