University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Student-Athletes Host Heeloween At Hospital
November 4, 2016 | Student-Athlete Development, Carolina Outreach
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – UNC student-athletes took Halloween cheer to UNC Children's Hospital Monday for their annual Heeloween Party. Approximately 60 costumed Tar Heels participated throughout the afternoon, helping to decorate the Pediatric Play Atrium and then host the party for young patients.
Student-athletes from the field hockey, football, women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, rowing, women's soccer, softball and men's and women's swimming and diving teams took part in the celebration.
“Every year we have so much fun visiting the children's hospital on Halloween,” said Darcy McFarlane, a senior on the women's soccer team. “The Heeloween party is a great opportunity for us to get to cheer up some kids that don't get to go out trick or treating.”
At the party, student-athletes helped lead games and craft projects. They also took patients trick-or-treating around the hospital and delivered goodie bags to patients who weren't able to come to the playroom.
The UNC Pediatrics TarHealers group (UNC pediatric residents) and NC Children's Hospital volunteers partnered with UNC Athletics in hosting the event.
“It was a great chance to put smiles on the kids' faces,” said Leila Evans, a redshirt freshman on the field hockey team. “We painted pumpkins with all types and colors of paints and some kids' faces were even painted. My favorite part was taking pictures with a Polaroid camera and giving the children pictures they could keep forever.”
Carolina student-athletes are active in the community throughout the year, volunteering at UNC Children's Hospital and with many other organizations. For more, follow UNC Student-Athlete Development on Facebook and Twitter (@UNC_SADev).
