“The looks on everyone’s faces seeing a life-size penguin … were priceless,” said marketing sophomore Bridget Elezovic, who wore a Red Wings jersey and helped pass out candy.

Vestrand said that his upbringing in a single-parent household inspired him to plan the event. “We didn’t always have it the best, so we also learned what it feels like to need some support from the people around you,” he said. “I just wanted to do what I hoped somebody would do for me if I were in a situation like these kids.”

Vestrand created the event on Facebook to urge people to donate to his cause. He said he orginally was worried participants wouldn’t follow through.

“Everyone really stepped up,” he said. “They told me early on they loved the idea, and then the donations just started coming. It was great to see your friends do something like that.”
Katie Livingston, who met Vestrand during the summer in a study abroad trip to Europe, said she thought it was an awesome way to spend Halloween.

“One patient even said that he got more candy at the hospital than he would have if he had been able to go outside tonight,” she said.

Vestrand initially planned to have a “big all-day party” for the children, but Sparrow officials suggested instead, the group could be a stop on their parade route.

“Sparrow was great for letting us do that; they seemed really excited about it,” he said.
Sparrow Hospital Child Life Specialist Melissa Washburn said that Vestrand’s group had a big bucket of candy and told the children to take as much as they wanted. They even left candy behind.
“They were awesome and helped us out a lot,” she said.

Elezovic, who Vestrand credited as a big help, said she was glad she participated.
“It was really an eye-opening experience,” she said. “It’s the little things that make you realize what you have.”