Reverse trick-or-treat at Shriners Hospital for Children helps patients say ‘thank you'

By Amanda Butterfield

SALT LAKE CITY -- At Shriners Hospital Tuesday, some patients played a bit of a trick on the staff. Instead of the kids going around asking for candy, they dropped candy off.

They called it reverse trick-or-treating. It's how the patients thanked all those who work at the hospital.
The whole process was little confusing at first. The little patients dressed up for Halloween; but instead of asking for candy, they were giving it out.
"‘Cause, um, I want to thank them for all they did for us," a patient named Michael said.
"They helped us and all kinds of stuff like that," patient Jonas Bradley said.
The children visited the lunch room, the washing room and other places that little patients usually don't go.
"We don't get too involved; but this way we get to see their costumes, and it's fun for everybody," said Judy Carlson, who is a member of the hospital's housekeeping staff.
"The staff, a lot of times, are the silent workers in the hospital. But the kids don't get a chance to take a moment and say thanks," said recreational therapist Laura Lewis.
"One of the boys with us was getting a new leg with prosthetics and orthotics," Lewis continued, "so for him to give a bucket of candy back to the person who made his leg makes all the difference."
"Being a woman, I love chocolate," said LaRae Smith, who also works at the hospital. "So we will be checking out the bowl for chocolate!"
All this week the patients at Shriners have being doing Halloween activities. This coming weekend they will do the traditional trick-or-treating at the hospital.
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com