Local Heroes Big and Small, Far and Wide: Delivering Happiness to Hospitalized Kids

Community Stories

·Aug 5th, 2026

Did you know it’s possible to make a local impact with a national charity?

Ghostbusters fan groups nationwide are suiting up with Starlight Children’s Foundation to do just that. The charity delivers happiness to hospitalized kids in over 800 facilities and supports hospitals in every single state, including a local children’s hospital near you.

As each Ghostbusters group fundraises, their efforts add up to make a big difference, no matter the size of their groups. Circle City Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters: Texas Rangers Division and the Orlando Ghostbusters are outstanding examples of this. Through activating their local communities in a fun way, they’ve raised over $23,000 together!

Yes, Making a Local Impact through National Charity is Possible

Local impact is within reach, even while partnering with a national charity like Starlight.

The Circle City Ghostbusters are a prime example of this. They’ve loved supporting and raising money for local causes in Indianapolis, where they are based. One children’s hospital is particularly special because they saved the life of the founding member’s child.

So, when they found out that Starlight’s hospital network included nearby children’s hospitals, they started fundraising for Starlight with full force and excitement.

Circle City_Children's hospital visit — Circle City Ghostbusters give back to a local children's hospital.

One special full-circle moment was delivering Ghostbusters-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns to the same hospital that once saved the founding members’ child. It was more than a fundraiser—it was a deeply personal moment. The Ghostbusters used what they love to bring comfort, smiles, and a sense of normalcy to children and families during hospital stays.

“It was emotional for all of us,” recalls Jacob, Circle City’s Marketing Director. “We brought smiles to kids and parents, and it reminded me why I use my hobby to do good. Knowing we can turn our love of our favorite movies into a force for good keeps us strapping on our proton packs, heavy as they may get. Helping the kids inspires us to do more—and in turn, we can help even more kids.”

The group has raised over $7,000 since!

If you’re interested in fundraising for Starlight, our team can help facilitate activations and deliveries for hospitals in your area. That way you and your donors can see the local impact of your efforts.

Urban, Rural, and All Over: Ghostbusters Unite to Make a Collective Impact

Ghostbusters unite everywhere across the country, from small towns to large cities. Together, with fan groups like Ghostbusters: Texas Ranger Division, they make a joint impact.

The Ghostbusters: Texas Ranger Division’s nostalgia for childhood fuels the desire to bring positive change to others. Partnering with Starlight was a great match because together they could help seriously ill kids, and they’ve raised an incredible $500 since! Raising money for Starlight is rewarding to the Ghostbusters: Texas Ranger Division. By being good neighbors, they hope to inspire the next generation to pass on kindness.

Ghostbusters Texas Rangers Division_Fandom fundraising — The Ghostbusters: Texas Rangers Division fundraising at a local fair for Starlight to impact kids in their community.

“It's really a unique privilege to embody something that meant so much to us as kids and use it to foster positive change in the lives of children in need.”
- Nicholas, President - Board of Directors, Ghostbusters: Texas Rangers Division

Ghostbusters Give Back: Bringing What Made Childhood Fun to Children’s Hospitals

The Orlando Ghostbusters first learned about Starlight through the Ghostbusters Give Back initiative, which helped bring Ghostbusters-themed Starlight Hospital Gowns to kids.

The Ghostbusters Give Back initiative brings Ghostbusters fan groups nationwide together for a friendly fundraising competition, tracking efforts to see which local teams can raise the most for their local causes. On Ghostbusters Day 2026, Sony Pictures matched fan fundraising, allowing Starlight to produce 5,000 of their new Ghostbusters-themed Starlight Adaptive Hospital Gowns.

Since taking part in the initiative, the Orlando Ghostbusters have raised over $15,000 with Starlight to deliver happiness to kids!

Orlando Ghostbusters_Adaptive hospital gowns — The Orlando Ghostbusters delivering Starlight Hospital Gowns to their local children's hospital.

“We thought Starlight helped in a different way than many charities,” recalls George, Team Leader at the Orlando Ghostbusters. “We’ve loved working with Starlight and their staff. We’re a few years in, and Starlight is our home charity.”

Spreading happiness is contagious. The Orlando Ghostbusters experienced this when they brought Ghostbusters-themed Starlight programs they helped fund to a local children’s hospital.

The team remembers the joy they brought to the kids, parents, and staff:

“Our favorite memory fundraising with Starlight is delivering joy to the kids, parents and staff at Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. We got to bring happiness to everyone there just by being friendly, talking to everyone and answering the kids’ questions.” - George.

Join the Initiative

Every $1 Helps: Customize Fun Ideas to Inspire Donations

Ghostbusters groups are curating special and memorable experiences to help inspire donations.

Take inspiration from these ideas – other Ghostbusters groups using them already! Plus, for each activity, you can set donation levels that make sense for your community.

20-Sided Die: Circle City members had participants could roll a 20-sided die to win a prize
Ghostbusters roleplaying: People bought tickets to play Ghostbusters roleplaying games with Circle City members
Proton Range: Texas Ranger Division’s founder created a ghost-hunting gallery for kids and adults that uses an original Ghostbusters dart blaster
Ghostbusters Challenge: Participants help Texas Ranger Division members find and trap a ghost hiding in a 'haunted object' using the EMF detection mode on a Hasbro PKE meter
Small ghost adoptions: People can choose a ghost from the Orlando Ghostbusters, use safety tongs to put it in a mini containment unit to take home, and fill out a certificate with the ghost’s name

Circle City Ghostbusters_nonprofit fundraising — Circle City Ghostbusters fundraising with their prize wheel.

When times are tough, it can feel challenging to ask for donations. Breaking down the impact of a donor’s dollar can help. Whether fundraising for a pallet of toys, or a delivery of gowns, every $1 helps to snowball and create a bigger impact. For instance, $25 can help deliver a toy to one child or $40 helps deliver a Starlight Hospital Gown.

Matt, member of the Los Angeles Ghostbusters, says it best:

“Remember, every dollar raised, either by a group of 20 or 2, is a dollar that brings happiness to a hospitalized kid. It's not about how much you raise. It's about the fun of doing it. If you make the choice to fundraise any dollar amount, have fun doing it - even if it's only a few dollars at a time. That sort of fun is infectious. And when people see the fun and pride you have in what you're doing, more members and more donations will follow.”

Make a Difference in Your Local Community

Ready to use childhood fun to help people in the place you love?

Together, we can show what the real story of Ghostbusters is all about. Nicholas, President of the Ghostbusters: Texas Rangers Division, expresses it perfectly:

“We represent the true story of Ghostbusters: people using their passion to help others.”

Starlight supports medical facilities in every state in the U.S. There are over 800 facilities, and many may be close to a community that matters to you. Starlight programs are ready to ship, but kids need your help to get them out the door and to their hospital doors.

Join other Ghostbusters in bringing what made their childhoods fun to seriously ill kids with Starlight.