MONTOUR COUNTY, Pa. — Trick-or-treating is something children of all ages look forward to. But for kids who are stuck in the hospital, Halloween is just another day. That's why members of the Bucknell University Men's Basketball team stopped by Janet Weis Children's Hospital near Danville for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
"This event brings so much joy to every kiddo that's here and not just to the kids, to their families. They're getting to experience something normal for once in an environment that really is not normal for them," Geisinger Child Life Specialist Erin Onderko said.
This is the reverse trick-or-treat. The basketball players deliver toys, stickers and other goodies while the kids wait in their rooms.
"It's definitely nice to be part of something that's bigger than yourself and give back to a community of people who need a little extra during the holidays," Basketball player Patrick O'Brien said.
This is a longtime tradition between Geisinger and the basketball team. Head Coach John Griffin did this when he was a player on the team.
"They're excited to be here and I'm excited to do our part in the community and do what we can to uplift people who are struggling a little bit," Griffin said.
Child life specialists say this is something the patients look forward to and talk about for weeks. Some of them even dressed up.
"I just got here yesterday and the reason it was really cool was because I actually got to see a lot of people," Dylan Tupper said.
"We've been in the hospital over many holidays so it's really nice that they make special occasions so they don't feel like they're missing out," Melissa Tupper said.
While it's no fun being in the hospital on Halloween, you'd never know it by the smiles on these kids faces.