Disney, ESPN and Starlight Children's Foundation bring Halloween magic to Connecticut Children's hospital. Mickey Mouse also helped bring in the spooky season fun! by Maxon Faber | Oct 22, 2026 6:28pm (Pacific) A little Disney magic and ESPN sports spirit made their way to Connecticut Children's, bringing Halloween fun and special surprises to young patients and their families. What's Happening: * Connecticut Children's teamed up with Starlight Children's Foundation, ESPN and The Walt Disney Company for a special Halloween celebration on Thursday. * The event debuted new ESPN/Mickey & Friends hospital gowns and pants, giving young patients the opportunity to choose designs featuring familiar characters and brands. * Approximately 100 inpatient and outpatient children participated in the celebration, designed to bring joy, play and a sense of normalcy to children experiencing hospitalization. * Patients were able to choose Halloween costumes, receive Mickey Mouse plush toys, participate in activities and meet Mickey Mouse. * Mickey Mouse also visited patients in their hospital rooms who were unable to attend the main celebration. Its latest videos. * The event emphasized the importance of giving hospitalized children opportunities for self-expression, choice and play as part of their care. * The celebration also highlighted ESPN, Disney and ABC's broader commitment to supporting children and families. * Through the Pediatric Cancer Initiative, ESPN, Disney and ABC are raising $10 million for pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation ahead of Super Bowl LXI on ESPN, ABC and Disney+. What They're Saying: * Kevin Negandhi, ESPN SportsCenter Anchor and College Football Studio Host: "At ESPN, sports have always been about bringing people together and creating moments of joy, and that's especially meaningful when we can do that for kids going through something difficult. A hospital stay shouldn't take away a child's chance to have fun, express who they are or simply be a kid. ESPN and Disney are incredibly proud to team up with Starlight and Connecticut Children's to bring some ESPN sports spirit, some Disney magic and, hopefully, a lot of smiles to children and families here in Connecticut." * Matt Barnhart, Senior Manager, Partnerships at Starlight Children's Foundation: "Something as simple as choosing a hospital gown featuring familiar characters or brands can help a child feel more comfortable and regain a sense of control during hospitalization. These familiar designs can also make conversations with healthcare teams easier, helping build trust so kids feel more confident and engaged in their care. We're grateful to ESPN, Disney and Connecticut Children's for helping us create moments of happiness and connection that support kids and families throughout their healthcare journey." * Rachel Stanley, MD, Physician-in-Chief at Connecticut Children's: "For children in the hospital, so much can suddenly feel outside of their control. Their illness, their treatment and their daily routine can all be determined by circumstances they didn't choose. Giving a child the ability to choose something as simple as the gown they want to wear may seem small, but it gives them a voice and a sense of ownership at a time when that can mean a great deal. Play, choice and joy aren't separate from caring for children. They are an important part of the healing journey." * Kelly Foy, Certified Child Life Specialist at Connecticut Children's: "Children don't stop being children when they become patients. We're grateful to ESPN, Disney and Starlight for understanding that and for helping us create experiences that bring joy into the hospital and give our patients opportunities to just be kids."

P.F. Chang's(R) partners with Starlight Children's Foundation to deliver happiness and comfort to children through inaugural Spirit of the Zodiac campaign. Sep 02, 2026, 09:01 ET Year of the Fire Horse: Spirit of Strength aims to raise $500,000 through a campaign centered on Bao, a limited-edition horse plushie, alongside an original children's book SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - P.F. Chang's(R) today announced the launch of Spirit of the Zodiac, a new annual giving initiative inspired by the Chinese zodiac and designed to bring each year's zodiac symbol to life through a unique charitable campaign. The inaugural campaign, Year of the Fire Horse: Spirit of Strength, will benefit Starlight Children's Foundation and support children and families during hospital stays. Serving more than 800 children's hospitals nationwide, Starlight Children's Foundation provides programs including toy deliveries, hospital gowns, gaming stations, and other experiences designed to bring comfort, connection, and moments of happiness to children during medical care. Inspired by the horse's strength, courage and resilience, the month-long Spirit of Strength campaign centers on Bao, P.F. Chang's limited-edition horse plushie, whose story will also be brought to life through an original children's book by author Jenny Liao and illustrator Adriane Tsai, expected to publish later this month. The digital story will follow Bao through themes of courage, kindness, comfort and hope, creating another way for children and families to connect with the campaign beyond the restaurant. From September 2 through September 30, Bao will be available for purchase for $10 through dine-in transactions at participating restaurants, while supplies last. For each Bao plushie purchased during the campaign, P.F. Chang's will donate an identical Bao plushie to Starlight Children's Foundation for distribution to children through its hospital network, up to a maximum of 20,000 donated plushies. Guests who purchase Bao or make an in-restaurant donation of $10 or more to Starlight at participating P.F. Chang's restaurants will receive an offer for a complimentary appetizer with the purchase of an entrée on a future dine-in visit, valid through October 31, 2026. Guests can also support Starlight by rounding up their checks or making a direct donation in restaurant. Together, these efforts aim to raise $500,000 in support of Starlight's work with children and families. "At P.F. Chang's, we believe in business with a purpose and creating meaningful moments that extend beyond the restaurant," said Jim Mazany, Chief Executive Officer of P.F. Chang's. "Spirit of the Zodiac gives us a new way to bring that commitment to life each year, beginning with the Year of the Fire Horse and our inaugural Spirit of Strength campaign. A symbol of strength and a gift of comfort, Bao is at the heart of this year's effort, and we're proud to partner with Starlight Children's Foundation to support children and families across the country." Guest donations made throughout the campaign will directly support Starlight Children's Foundation and its work to help children feel more comfortable, engaged and connected during medical care. One hundred percent of guest round-up donations will benefit Starlight, helping fund resources and hospital-based experiences designed to help children and families throughout their medical journeys. "We're grateful to partner with P.F. Chang's to support hospitalized kids and their families," said Adam Garone, CEO, Starlight Children's Foundation. "For kids facing serious illness, something as simple as a plush toy can provide a positive distraction, ease stress and anxiety and bring a sense of comfort to an unfamiliar experience. Together with P.F. Chang's, its guests and a little horse on a big mission, we're helping create meaningful moments of happiness for kids while bringing Starlight programs to hospitals across the country." The partnership will continue beyond the September campaign, with P.F. Chang's and Starlight coming together in early October for in-hospital catering and plush deliveries. These activations will bring P.F. Chang's and Starlight teams directly into hospitals, extending the partnership beyond the restaurant while bringing the campaign's spirit of giving to the communities Starlight serves. Through these deliveries, P.F. Chang's will continue its commitment to creating moments of happiness and connection during hospital stays. P.F. Chang's invites guests to participate in the inaugural Spirit of the Zodiac campaign by visiting participating restaurants to purchase Bao and support Starlight. For more information or to find a P.F. Chang's location near you, visit www.pfchangs.com/offers/spirit-of-the-zodiac. Please find photography HERE. Offer Terms: Bao is available for purchase through dine-in transactions at participating P.F. Chang's restaurants from September 2 through September 30, 2026, while supplies last. The $10 purchase price is retained by P.F. Chang's. For each Bao purchased during the campaign, P.F. Chang's will donate one Bao plushie to Starlight Children's Foundation for distribution through its hospital network, up to a maximum of 20,000 donated plushies. Guests who purchase Bao or make an in-restaurant donation of $10 or more to Starlight during the campaign will receive one offer for a complimentary eligible appetizer with the purchase of an eligible entrée on a subsequent dine-in visit. Offer expires October 31, 2026. Limit one offer per guest. Limit one offer redemption per check. Available in-restaurant only at participating P.F. Chang's locations (excluding Puerto Rico, airport, international, P.F. Chang's To Go(R) and Pagoda Asian Grill by P.F. Chang's(TM) locations). Not valid through third-party delivery services. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Excludes tax and gratuity. No cash value. Additional restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. ABOUT P.F. CHANG'S Founded in 1993 by Philip Chiang and Paul Fleming, P.F. Chang's is the first internationally recognized, multi-unit Asian culinary brand to honor and celebrate the 2,000-year-old tradition of wok cooking as the center of the guest experience. With roots in Chinese cuisines, today's menu invites discovery with unexpected flavor and hidden gems spanning all of Asia and honoring cultures and recipes from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and beyond. P.F. Chang's makes elevated dining accessible and affordable with shareable and personal portions and fan-favorite specials. Worldwide, P.F. Chang's operates over 300 restaurants in 23 countries and U.S. airport locations. For more news, visit pfchangs.com and follow @pfchangs on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. ABOUT STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION Hospital stays can be lonely, stressful, and scary. That's why Starlight exists. Founded in 1982, Starlight Children's Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that aims to deliver happiness to seriously ill children and their families through vital programs that impact millions of kids annually. Donor-funded and offered free of charge to hospitals and families, Starlight programs unleash the power of play, empowering kids with a renewed sense of optimism, resilience, and courage. Starlight is a top-rated charity committed to the equitable allocation of programs to its nationwide hospital network. Healing begins with happiness(TM). Learn more at starlight.org and follow Starlight on social media @starlightchildrensfoundation. SOURCE P.F. Chang's