Kindness on Halloween: Community Kids Leave Candy for Boy in Hospital, Bringing Comfort to His Family

Photo by Amy Schmitt

Halloween was always a big event for Amy Schmitt and her son Jacob. Each year, they went all out with decorations, transforming their home into a spooky landmark that kids looked forward to visiting. It was one of those houses that just felt like Halloween, where the porch was always open, and candy bowls were always full.

But this year, things took an unexpected turn. Just two days before Halloween, Jacob was hospitalized. For Schmitt, her focus shifted entirely, and she had no time to prepare for the trick-or-treaters. Heartbroken, she left a note on her door, explaining that Jacob was in the hospital and there’d be no candy this year.

You can imagine her disappointment, missing out on this special night. But as Halloween night wore on, something incredible happened. Schmitt’s phone started buzzing with notifications from her Ring doorbell. Curious, she took a look and was stunned by what she saw: children stopping by, reading her note, and—without hesitation—dropping handfuls of their own hard-earned candy into the bowl on her porch. They were sharing their treats with a family they’d never met, simply because they saw someone else in need.

“It’s overwhelming, all the love we’ve received… and I don’t know half of these people,” Schmitt told ABC 7 News Detroit. She marveled at the kindness of her young neighbors, and she was equally touched by the parents who had raised such compassionate kids. “It’s just amazing… what these parents have raised these kids to be.”

The generosity didn’t stop with one or two trick-or-treaters. Several groups left candy in the bowl, each leaving a bit of Halloween cheer for Jacob. Among them was 6-year-old Mia, who, after finishing her own rounds, told her dad she wanted to go back out and collect candy specifically for Jacob. Her father, James Sayen, shared that she couldn’t bear the thought of anyone missing out on Halloween.

It’s stories like these that remind us of the true spirit of community. What could have been a lonely, candy-less Halloween became a night filled with love and compassion, as strangers came together to make sure Jacob and his family felt the warmth of their neighbors’ hearts.