Erlanger staff provide reverse trick or treat for Children’s Hospital patients

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — The staff at Erlanger Children’s Hospital did something special for kids who are in the hospital this Halloween.
They showed up and showed out for the little ones who don’t get to go trick or treating on their own this year.
They called it “reverse trick or treating”. Staff dressed up in costumes and went door to door delivering goodies to the children.
It’s something they try to do every year. They say the smiles on the kids’ faces makes it all worth it.

Jennifer Booth, Certified Child Life Specialist told us,” They’ve been super smiley. You can tell because they’re really excited to see people in costume. We had a big parade of about 30 earlier today. And the look of joy in their eyes and the smiles was great. We do a lot of things like this to help normalize things. We do a lot of play, we prep kids for procedures. We help kids prepare for surgery, we explain diagnosis.”

It’s just one way to bring a little bit of normalcy and joy to those young ones who are feeling a little down.

Erlanger says it is currently the only hospital in the region with Child Life Specialists on staff. It’s also the only dedicated children’s hospital in the area. In 2024, over four thousand children received inpatient care at Erlanger Children’s Hospital.