Skip to Main Content Go to Sitemap
SickKids
Putting the fun in fundraising for United Way: Annual costume and pumpkin carving contest winners
13 minute read

Putting the fun in fundraising for United Way: Annual costume and pumpkin carving contest winners

Posted on November 2, 2018

Summary:

These Halloween contests at SickKids are not only a testament to patient and staff generosity, but also to their spirit and creativity. The competition was tough, but certain teams wowed the judges and took the top spots in the costume and pumpkin carving contests.

SickKids is celebrating its 27th year of fundraising for United Way Greater Toronto, and we've wrapped up two exciting Halloween fundraising festivities in support of the most vulnerable residents in Toronto, York Region and Peel Region.

Thanks to everyone who took part in the campaign by designing a costume, decorating a pumpkin, or voting or placing a bid on a pumpkin, in support of a great cause. Through initiatives like these, SickKids has raised nearly $2.5 million dollars for the United Way since 1991.

Gordon Shand, Senior Manager of Corporate Donor Relations for United Way Greater Toronto, joined us to watch Wednesday’s costume competition.  “I don’t think I’ve missed this day in 20 years!” said Gordon. “I always love coming back here. SickKids really knows how to put the ‘fun’ in ‘fundraising,’ and all the money raised here goes right back into the community.”

An interior view of the SickKids atrium. You can see people crowded along the walkways on many floors.
Staff and patients filled the hallways, windows and balconies of the atrium to watch the Halloween Costume Contest.

This year’s costume contest judges were Chris Carew, Director of Strategy, Finance & Administration, and Karima Karmali, Director of Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Child and Family-Centered Care. Annabelle, wearing a dazzling princess gown, also sat on the panel as patient judge. Pauline Chan, health reporter at CTV Toronto, joined us as the guest emcee.

These Halloween contests at SickKids are not only a testament to patient and staff generosity, but also to their spirit and creativity. The competition was tough, but certain teams wowed the judges and took the top spots in the costume and pumpkin carving contests. Check out some pictures of this year’s winners.

Costume contest: patient category

Little boy dressed as a turtle with face makeup on. A woman dressed similarly stands behind him.
First place: 18-month-old Carson dressed as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Girl dressed as a superhero.
Second place: Adina A.K.A Super Girl.
Boy dressed in a green ninja costume walks on stage. A woman wearing an emoji costume holds his hand.
Third place: Jahcari dressed as Lego Ninja.

Costume contest: individual category

A woman dressed as a red and black dragon.
First place: Karolina Piorkowska as a dragon.
Adult dressed in white holding an umbrella over her head. The umbrella and has lights and tentacles.
Second place: Phoebe Chan as a jellyfish.
Woman dressed in a floral dress with skeletons on it and wearing skeleton makeup.
Third place: Barbara Neilson as a Day of the Dead Social Worker.

Costume contest: group category

Group of adults dressed as sharks dance with their arms raised.
First place: Dialysis Unit as the Shark Family
Adults dressed as dalmatians and one dressed as Disney character Cruella de Ville.
Second place: Occupational Therapists as 101 Dalmatians and Cruella de Ville.
Large group of adults wearing costumes that look like face emoticons/emojis.
Third place: Communications and Public Affairs as emojis.

Not all staff could leave their work areas during the contest, but they got into the Halloween spirit anyway!

Staff standing together arm-in-arm in a clinical unit, dressed in various costumes.
Group of adults in a variety of costumes.
Molecular Genetics Team of DPLM

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Pumpkins painted, carved and decorated to look like the characters from the movie The Incredibles.
First place: Dentistry – The Incredibles
Three pumpkins each carved with the face of a different Disney princess: Belle, Elsa and Ariel.
Second place: Plastics – Plastic Fantastics
Pumpkin carved and decorated to look like a pirate ship.
Third place: Rheumatology – Pirates of Rheumatology
Back to Top