Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH) celebrated longtime partner Spirit of Children on February 4, recognizing the nonprofit for raising US$217,064 to support Child Life services and the hospital’s Child Life Fellowship program.

The celebration included a check presentation and ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring Spirit of Children’s impact on patients, families, and staff. In recognition of the organization’s continued generosity, LLUCH will install a permanent plaque outside the Children’s Hospital 8th-floor playroom, a non-medical space designed to give hospitalized children a place to play, relax, and simply be kids.

Spirit of Children is a charitable organization that raises funds through in-store donations and employee-led initiatives that bring creativity and fun to philanthropy. 

“Almost everyone has a personal connection here,” said Shannon Casselman, Inland Empire-based zone manager. “Either they’ve had a child here, or they know someone who has.”

That impact is reflected in stories like Alexandra Ruiz, who began her career at LLUCH as a Child Life fellow funded by Spirit of Children. After graduating from Loma Linda University, Ruiz joined the fellowship program in 2019, gaining experience across multiple hospital units. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she became the only full-time Child Life fellow funded by Spirit of Children donations, supporting short-staffed units and ensuring children continued to receive critical psychosocial care.

Today, Ruiz is a Certified Child Life Specialist at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and credits the fellowship with shaping her confidence, leadership skills, and passion for advocating for children and families.

Since 2016, Spirit of Children has funded 11 Child Life fellows, expanding the hospital’s ability to support children during hospitalization, medical procedures, and times of grief. Current and former fellows attended the ceremony, sharing how the program helped launch their careers and strengthen Child Life services across the hospital.

Spirit of Children brings joy directly to patients through experiences like the hospital’s annual Fall Festival, donating hundreds of costumes, decorations, and activities each year.

“One mother told us she didn’t know how she would provide costumes for her kids back home,” shared a member of the Child Life team. “Because of Spirit of Children, she didn’t have to worry.”

Since 2013, Spirit of Children has raised more than US$1.4 million for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.

The original article was published on the Loma Linda University Health news site.