Seeing Green in Arizona

Recently, Starlight families in Phoenix enjoyed a St. Patty’s Day picnic, thanks to Michaels KNACK program. Eighty two Starlight children and family members arrived to a completely decorated Sahuaro Ranch Park, the work of 14 Michaels volunteers, and enjoyed lunch, green cookies and craft making.  Everyone had the best time taking part in a Leprechaun Jig Race, which had contestants form teams of two. While one partner strapped a cup with a rubber band around his shoe and scooped as much “gold” as he could from the floor – ok, it was really popcorn – his partner put on a leprechaun hat and raced with the cup to a pot of gold.  

The best part is that it’s pretty difficult to keep popcorn in a cup when you’re running. 

The team with the most gold in the pot after 4 minutes was declared a winner.  

Thanks, Michaels, for igniting our St. Patty’s spirit! See more pictures here.

-Rebecca Arvizu, Community Program Coordinator, Starlight Arizona

Minnesota Families Go To Camp

 California Pizza Kitchen recently hosted a CPKids Camp Great Escape for Starlight Minnesota families at the North Commons Park and Recreation Center in Minneapolis. Children and their parents were treated to a delicious CPK dinner, participated in fun carnival games, bounced in bouncy houses, had their faces painted, played bingo, decorated cookies and created original family flags.  

-Brynna Kelly, Community Program Coordinator, Starlight Minnesota 

Recently, the Broward Sheriff's Office hosted a Broward Sheriff-for-a-Day Great Escape for Starlight families in South Florida. During the event, children and their parents interacted with BSO officers and its swat and air rescue teams and came face-to-face with its helicopter, fire engine and police cars.

Many families shared that their favorite part of the event was its Communications tour. Children and their parents got to experience first hand what it is like for the 911 dispatch services that cover the area of Broward County. The division functions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

"All of the families that attended truly enjoyed this once-in-a-lifetime experience to see what goes on behind the scenes at the Broward Sheriff's Office," said Southeat Region Director Nancy HartGold. "We are so thankful to BSO for not only supporting this Great Escape, but also Starlight's year-round programs."

Later in the day, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza of Pompano Beach sponsored a lunch with meatballs, chicken wings and salad. While they ate, families were able to interact with each other and meet Quigley, the Broward County Sheriffs Office mascot.

See more photos at Starlight Florida's Facebook page.

Last month, 300 children and family members from Starlight Northwest attended a fun-filled, overnight Great Escape at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA. The two days were full of playing in the indoor water park, complete with water slides, a wave pool, climbing water features and a special toddler-play area. This Great Escape provided families with the opportunity to get a break from their usual routines and have a little "mini-vacation" together. They also enjoyed pizza dinners, magic quests around the lodge, and story-time in front of lodge's gigantic fireplace with Wolfie, its mascot. Everyone had an amazing time at the Great Wolf Lodge and already cannot wait for more adventures at this magical place.

Photos submitted by Erin Behen, Program & Child Life Services Director at Starlight Northwest

Recently, Starlight Midwest hosted its third annual CPKids Camp Great Escape in Chicago at Chicago Indoor Sports. More than 140 Starlight children and family members arrived for an afternoon of sports, crafts, food and fun!

California Pizza Kitchen brought nearly 15 volunteers who led families in activities that included football, hula hoop contests, face painting, sack races and hot potato. Children also kept busy with an inflatable slide and arts and crafts.

The highlight of the afternoon was the wheelchair race, where Starlight kids in wheelchairs and their parents were given the opportunity to race one another up and down a turf field. It's safe to say everyone went home for a nap after that.

Thank you, CPK, for the wonderful time!

Through its partnership, Starlight and California Pizza Kitchen have created a signature series of CPKids Camp Great Escapes providing seriously ill children and their families with the opportunity to "pause to play." CPKids Camps have taken place in numerous cities across the country and continue to do so. CPK executives and employees participate as volunteers and do everything they can to make these events extra special.

To learn more, visit www.starlight.org/cpk and to see more photos from this event, click here. 

Recently, the San Jose Earthquakes and MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, teamed up with Starlight for the placement of three Starlight Fun Center mobile entertainment units at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Oakland and Valley Medical Center. The hospital visits were part of a commitment to give back to the San Jose community and provide an opportunity for seriously ill children and their families to enjoy a unique experience and a renewed sense of strength and hope.

Earthquakes players Jason Hernandez, Bobby Burling, David Bingham, Jon Busch and Kelly Gray were on hand to play Fun Center games with young patients and participate in other activities prior to each unit’s dedication ceremony. Patients also received autographs and took pictures with Earthquakes representatives.

MLS is committed to creating sustainable programs that leave a lasting legacy. The hospital visits fall under the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Soccer Kicks Cancer program, a league-wide initiative to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and treatment affecting men, women and children.

For children who may be facing surgery, enduring long outpatient treatments or fighting loneliness after hospital visiting hours have ended, Starlight Fun Centers provide a comforting break. Each Starlight Fun Center features a LCD TV, DVD player and gaming system to provide hours of fun and distraction. To learn more, please visit www.starlight.org/FunCenter.
Thank you, MLS!

This week's Photo of the Week comes to us from Starlight Canada. Can't help but love the adorable faces of these two young girls - who we assume are sisters - showing their spirit at Starlight Canada's recent Walk for Smiles.

Congratulations on raising more than $57,000, friends, and many thanks to those who participated.

Shine on!

After many years of support, California Pizza Kitchen selected Starlight as its national charity partner in 2008. Through the alliance, Starlight and CPK have created a signature series of CPKids Camp Great Escapes providing seriously ill children and their families with the opportunity to "pause to play."

Since then, CPKids Camps have taken place in numerous cities across the country and continue to do so in 2011. CPK executives and employees participate as volunteers and go out of their way to make these events extra special.

"We believe in doing everything we can to improve the lives of the families in the communities we serve," said California Pizza Kitchen Co-Founders Larry Flax & Rick Rosenfield. "Starlight's Great Escapes program provides a fitting avenue for us to brighten the lives of some of the most vulnerable and lonely children."

Recently, Starlight families in Los Angeles and Portland attended their very own CPKids Camps - one group at the tail end of summer and the other at the very start of fall. 

You'll notice that although the seasons may influence what kind of activities take place at these CPKids Camps, there are two golden rules for our campers that transcend Mother Nature:

1. Keep the fun going!

2. Enjoy that pizza!   

When it's hot in Los Angeles, hit the beach! 

And that's exactly what we invited our Starlight families to do in August. More than 200 Starlight kids and family members arrived at Dockweiler Beach in Playa del Rey, CA, for a day of nonstop fun in the sun. Aside from all the delicious pizza made available to the crowd, CPK and Starlight staff and volunteers rolled up their sleeves and became smile artists, hosting activities for families that included relay races, volleyball, face painting, treasure hunts and sand castle building. What better way to end a summer day than going home with an ear-to-ear grin? See more photos from this CPKids Camp here.

Cooler temps can't keep Portlanders indoors! 

Eighty-one Starlight children and family members from the Portland area were joined by 23 CPK volunteers at Memorial Park River Shelter in Wilsonville, OR, to make their CPKids Camp a smashing success! Kids and families enjoyed face painting, a coloring contest and were wowed with a magic show. After a delicious CPK catered lunch, kids and families participated in fun and games, including a hula hoop contest, ball toss, soccer, football and more.

Last week, Lauren Fitzback of South Florida-based service club Les Diplomates and Starlight Florida placed EIGHT Fun Center mobile entertainment units in Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for its pediatric patients.

Yes. Eight.

"Starlight is very grateful for Les Diplomates long-term and generous partnership," said Starlight Southeast Region Director Nancy HartGold. "For more than six years, Les Diplomates has been supporting Starlight to help us bring fun and laughter to the seriously ill children and families we serve in South Florida."

Founded in 1986, Les Diplomates is a South Florida-based service club with a membership composed of French-speaking professionals. The club raised $14,000 to sponsor the Fun Centers at its Les Diplomates Fashion Show held in early spring.

Thank you, Les Diplomates!

To learn more about our Fun Center program, visit www.starlight.org/florida/funcenter.

If you had walked into AMF Cerritos Lanes in Cerritos, CA, on Sunday, you would have sworn that students from The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were taking a bowling class.

Here’s the fun part - you would have been somewhat right.

Dressed like some of Hogwarts most popular pupils, more than 150 Starlight children, siblings and parents from the Los Angeles and Orange County areas arrived at the venue ready to get their game on at a special Harry Potter-bowling party Great Escape.

The event was hosted by Starlight supporters, the Bickerstaff family.

Upon check-in, children underwent Harry Potter transformations, each receiving lightning bolt tattoos on their foreheads (temporary ones, of course!) and the staple accessory of Hogwarts’ most magical wizard – a pair of black-rimmed glasses.

Once inside, families had their photos taken by 3D Cheeze and then filled their stomachs with lunch from California Pizza Kitchen before heading over to an ice-cream sundae bar loaded with every fix-in - sprinkles, granola, gummi bears. etc. - that can make any sweet tooth's dream come true.

Fueled and ready to bowl, everyone sank their hands into bowling balls, their feet into bowling shoes and crowded around their very own bowling lane. Families spent the next several hours cheering each other on as they rolled everything from strikes to unwanted gutterballs and everything inbetween.

Another hit that afternoon were our StarPower Ambassadors - Kay Panabaker, Austin Anderson, Joey Luthman, Ashlee Keating, ChloeJ and Jackson Odell - who took the time to visit with every family and take pictures, as did that afternoon’s two very special guests, Starlight Global Ambassador Dave Koz and longtime Starlight friend John Stamos.

As our Harry Potter bowling party came to an end, John challenged Starlight kids to a dance off – reminding everyone, once again, that no one can move like a Starlight kid.

John tweeted later, "I had the best day."

Dave expressed similar feelings in his own tweet: "Thanks to all the Starlight kids for an amazing day."

Many thanks to the Bickerstaffs for giving our families such a memorable event – and for helping Starlight staff keep things running smoothly. While wife Debbie and husband Glen greeted families as they arrived, daughter Katie was the afternoon’s official photographer and son Brian served as emcee.

Hogwarts may not have arrived in Cerritos that afternoon, but our Starlight families did, proving that if there’s anything better than make-believe, it’s the real thing.

Read more about this event in the words of Starlight Mom Leila at her blog, Don’t Speak Whinese.

Nearly 150 Starlight children and family members from San Antonio and Austin enjoyed a fun-filled day at Morgan's Wonderland this past weekend. The unique theme park is designed for children with special needs and served as the perfect venue for this South Texas September Great Escape. 

In addition to taking advantage of the park's carousel, train, swings, driving cars and other fun attractions, families also joined volunteers from Michaels who had set up a special "craft store" and assisted kids and parents with creating unique keepsakes.

Volunteers from Michaels, the Junior League of San Antonio and Kohl's were essential to making this event a success. Additionally, Panda Express donated a delicious lunch for all.

It was a surely a Great Escape to remember! See more pictures here.

In Texas, Starlight provides ongoing support to more than 19,000 children, parents and siblings per month with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. For more information about our Great Escapes program in Texas, please visit www.starlight.org/texas/greatescapes.

It's been quite a busy month with nearly half a dozen Fun Center dedications taking place at hospitals all across the country. At Starlight, it's certainly something to celebrate! Here's a couple of recent news clips that capture some ribbon cuttings and smiles!

Fun Center dedication with Qdoba Mexican Grill at St. Mary's Hospital in Richmond, VA  - WRIC 8 News at 11 

Fun Center dedication with Colgate-Palmolive and Mark Glassman at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, OH - WEWS Live on Five

Many thanks to Qdoba and Colgate for their support!

To date, more than 7,000 Fun Centers have been sponsored by companies, foundations and individuals and are being enjoyed at hospitals across North America. The ease with which Fun Centers roll right up to the side of young patients’ beds or anywhere in a hospital setting makes them perfect for hospitalized children in numerous situations: anticipating surgery, during long outpatient clinic treatments, waiting in the emergency room or fighting loneliness after visiting hours have ended. To learn more about the program, please visit www.starlight.org/funcenter.

During his interview, Dave is asked: "You've served as a Global Ambassador for Starlight Children's Foundation. What has being part of this organization meant to you?"

We absolutely LOVE his answer.

In the article, Tony opens up about his daughter's affliction with seizures in her early life, and how he conjured up fairy tales to comfort her during long and scary hospital stays.

He also shares what he enjoys most about his special role with Starlight.

"I visit hospitals and tell stories to the young patients," he writes. "Sometimes I read. Sometimes I draw. Often, the children and I create stories together - our own fairy tales - with words and pictures. For a few minutes we leave the hospital behind and travel to a fantastical place for a grand adventure."

And you do a fantastic job, Tony! Read his article here.

To learn more about Tony and the other famous faces who work alongside Starlight, please visit www.starlight.org/ambassadors. 

Yee-haw!

California Pizza Kitchen brought a rooting-tooting western adventure to more than 50 Starlight children and family members in San Diego at a recent CPKids Camp Great Escape held at Rawhide Ranch.

Upon their arrival, each child was greeted with a goody bag that enclosed a comfy Pillow Pet, entertaining DVD, very special picture frame from Aaron's Brothers and a beautiful CPKids Camp T-shirt.

After dining on delicious CPK food, families learned to line dance to toe-tapping country music and throw a rope like a true cowboy, met some barn animal friends, hung out with Starry and his pals from Big Animals for Little Kids, took part in relay and sack races and cheered for their favorite adult buckaroos during a pie eating contest. Families also competed in raffles to win an otter swim with Nurtured by Nature, Wii Rockbands, passes to Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater and numerous other prizes.

The afternoon also gave kids and parents the chance to get crafty by coloring their own "wanted" posters, designing their own mustaches and getting their faces painted.

Many thanks to California Pizza Kitchen and the 16 volunteers who attended and made this CPKids Camp the best of the West!

Through its partnership, Starlight and California Pizza Kitchen have created a signature series of CPKids Camp Great Escapes providing seriously ill children and their families with the opportunity to "pause to play." CPKids Camps have taken place in numerous cities across the country and continue to do so. CPK executives and employees participate as volunteers and do everything they can to make these events extra special.

Learn more at www.starlight.org/cpk.

The day was something extra special for Starlight child Maxim. It was his 11th birthday.

"Starlight has been amazing to us because it offers us the chance to be normal," said Sue, Maxim's mother. "We spend a lot of time in the hospital and going to doctor's appointments. [Starlight] allows us to be together as a family and to have fun."

Sue, you couldn't have said it better!

Starlight Great Escapes are relaxing, fun-filled events provided for Starlight families, including ball games, picnics, cruises, spa days and movie premieres that provide time to connect with other families and make special memories together. To learn more about our Great Escapes program in the New York area, please visit www.starlight-newyork.org.

A Starlight Northwest child shows off a smile that can brighten anyone's Friday.

"A great success!"

That's how Program Services Intern Kayla Abrott describes the recent CPKids Camp Great Escape hosted for Starlight Northwest families in Seattle.

More than 118 Starlight children and families members were joined by 17 volunteers from a local California Pizza Kitchen restaurant.

Families enjoyed a spread of delicious CPK cuisine and then took advantage of the sunny outdoors, playing games, hula hooping, getting their faces painted, designing balloons and participating in a science show.

Thanks for another great time at camp, CPK! The pictures certainly show it!

Through its partnership, Starlight and California Pizza Kitchen have created a signature series of CPKids Camp Great Escapes providing seriously ill children and their families with the opportunity to "pause to play." CPKids Camps have taken place in numerous cities across the country and continue to do so. CPK executives and employees participate as volunteers and do everything they can to make these events extra special.

Learn more at www.starlight.org/cpk.

Developed and written with input from teen cancer survivors and medical experts, Coping with Chemo chronicles the stories of two teens with cancer and their struggle to cope with their disease and treatment. Each webisode addresses a different topic, including:

• getting diagnosed;
• side effects;
• telling friends; and
• celebrating the last treatment.

Coping with Chemo also has FAQs to answer many of the questions teens and their friends and family may have.

Coping with Chemo has won numerous awards, including two Web Marketing Association WebAwards for "Outstanding Website" and "Health Care Standard of Excellence;" "Best of Category" in the Horizon Interactive Awards, a "Merit Award" from One Show Interactive; an "official honoree" designation from the Webby Awards "Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics;" and a Gold Summit Creative　Award.　　 

We invite you to preview our webisodes at www.starlight.org/chemo or at Starlight’s YouTube channel.

Root, root, root for Starlight Georgia!

In honor of its exceptional service to the community, Starlight Georgia was recently presented with the State Farm Good Neighbor Award at the recent Atlanta Braves/Washington Capitals game on August 30. Starlight Georgia's very own Setzer Family, members of our Great Escapes program, Board Chair Jenni Creed and Community Program Coordinator Roshni Rai were on hand to accept the award from State Farm and the Braves, while 30 Starlight children and family members and 40 Starlight Georgia supporters cheered from the stands.

Congratulations!

To learn more about Starlight Georgia, please visit www.starlight.org/georgia.

Starlight's Photo of the Week

A Starlight child in Minnesota shows off her turtle shell.

Imagine you are 10 years old with a serious illness. Summer is coming to an end, and school starts any day. While other kids your age are excited to make new friends and swap stories about their summer adventures, you are filled with fear. The chemotherapy you underwent during the summer has left you without any hair on your head. You are sick and weak almost all the time. All you can think is: what will the other kids say? Are they going to stare at me and make fun of my bald head? Will anyone want to play with me? Will I have to eat lunch by myself?

As the mother of a seriously ill child, I understand this fear. When my daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, she worried about how her friends would react when they saw her injecting herself with insulin or breaking out in a cold sweat and shakes when her blood sugar dropped dangerously low.

Sadly, I am all too familiar with how hospital visits and sickness can make kids feel alone and scared as the new school year approaches. I am also very familiar – thanks to my time as a board member with Starlight Children's Foundation – of just how important Starlight's programs are in alleviating the fear and loneliness experienced by seriously ill children.

Starlight's Great Escapes activities program, for example, gives families a chance to get away from their worries for a day of fun events where they can relax, regroup and gain strength and hope for their journey ahead. At these Great Escapes, children are able to bond with their extended Starlight family – with kids who are just like them – so that they are able to work through their fear and loneliness and face the new school year with the support of this community at their side.

That's why I am back to extend a challenge to everyone today... 

Last September, Starlight raised $10,000 to support seriously ill children across the country – and I matched every single one of those dollars. This year, Starlight and I are doing it again! The DONATE TO DOUBLE challenge is back!

With every single dollar Starlight raises between now and September 25, 2011, I will match it (up to $10,000)! I invite you to take part in our DONATE TO DOUBLE challenge and help us bring programs to as many families as possible.

I believe in Starlight, and I believe in our ability to help seriously ill children face the challenges that lie ahead with courage and hope. Let me match your gift today!

Thank you so much for your time and generosity. And, as always, thank you for your support of Starlight.

Sincerely,

Karen Jordan

Starlight Mom and Board Member

Recently, Starlight Global Ambassador Dave Koz and fomer Starlight child and cancer survivor Austin Gatus, 14, performed Faces of the Heart, the theme song from General Hospital, at Humphrey's in San Diego.

Faces of the Heart was written by Dave himself.

Take it away, guys!

Recently, Half Price Books collaborated with Starlight Texas to host the first-ever, in-store Starlight Story Hour for children and parents living in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

The event gave families a morning filled with cookies, lemonade and fun crafts as well as the the opportunity to create a spark in their community before the start of the school year.

Amy Vanderoef, co-anchor with WFAA's Good Morning Texas, arrived to be the Starlight Story Hour official storyteller and read Corduroy Bears, a story about bears, to help raise awareness for Starlight Texas' Brighten Up Bear program. She was later joined by Child Life Director Renee Hunte of Children's Medical Center Dallas to talk about the significance of the program.

Helping make illness bearable on hug at a time, the initiative allows supporters to purchase a teddy bear for $25 to be delivered directly to a hospitalized child in Texas and fund innovative programs that empower, educate, entertain and inspire seriously ill children throughout the state.

We're happy to report that thanks to patrons at Starlight Story Hour, nearly a dozen Brighten Up Bears will be finding a new home in the arms of some very special children soon. As an added treat, Half Price Books will also be donating 1,000 children’s books to accompany the bears upon their delivery to local hospitals.

YOU CAN MAKE A SPARK, TOO!

You can add to the hundreds of bears currently making their way into Texas hospitals through Starlight's Brighten Up Bear program. Make a donation online at anytime by visiting www.starlight.org/texas/bear. As its way of saying thanks, Half Price Books will give patrons who make a $25 donation for a Brighten Up Bear a 15 percent off coupon redeemable at any Half Price Books location throughout the country (while supplies last).

Amy Vanderoef, co-anchor, WFAA's Good Morning Texas

Renee Hunte, child life director, Children's Medical Center Dallas

Bookworm and Starlight Story Hour guests

Cookies generously donated by Chef Steven Pilat and students from the Art Institute of Dallas

Last but not least, the team behind Starlight Story Hour. Starlight Texas thanks GolinHarris for its time and dedication!

Starlight has named Roger Shiffman as its new Global Board Chairman.

Roger is a well-known figure in the toy industry who built, in separate phases of his career, two highly successful companies - Tiger Electronic Toys, makers of Furby, and more recently, Zizzle, the company behind the Pirates of the Caribbean™ and High School Musical™ line of toys.

It was actually retired-NBA superstar Michael Jordan who first introduced Roger to Starlight and its mission 23 years ago. Always passionate about helping children, Roger could not help but become involved and has remained active with Starlight ever since.

"I am grateful to the Board members of Starlight for their support of me in the position of Chairman and will do everything in my power to continue to earn their trust," he says. "Starlight is a unique and wonderful charity run by the most dedicated employees and volunteers I have ever come across who have touched the lives of millions of children and families in such positive ways. I see my role as doing everything possible to increase the visibility of Starlight Children’s Foundation and, in turn, generate more support for Starlight so that we may continue to grow our services around the globe. Thank you to all of you that make Starlight the amazing charity that it is and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during my term!"

Prior to becoming Global Board Chairman, Roger had been a member of Starlight’s Board of Directors for many years, including time as Vice Chairman.

He is the third Board Chairman in the organization’s nearly 30-year history.

Roger’s new position with Starlight has already made headlines. Read recent articles by The Huffington Post and The Highland Park Patch.

"As a longtime Starlight supporter and trustee, I am beyond thrilled to see Roger take the helm," Starlight Global Ambassador Dave Koz told The Highland Park Patch. "A man with a bigger heart, I don't know."

A University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) graduate, Roger resides in Highland Park, IL, with his wife, children and grandchild.

Join us as we welcome Roger to his latest position at Starlight!

To see a complete list of Starlight’s current board members, please visit www.starlight.org/board.

...And they're off...to a great school year!

This week, our Photo of the Week comes to us from Starlight Florida. At a recent Back to School fundraiser at Xtreme Indoor Karting in Fort Lauderdale, school supplies were collected for Starlight children to help them start the school year off right! The event was hosted by Starlight Florida's Project: IMPACT Young Professionals. Guests spent the evening go-karting to their heart's content and took part in other fun activities.

They snipped. And glued. And made it one crafty affair.

Recently, Starlight Arizona gave families the opportunity to celebrate their favorite memories and keepsakes at a Capture the Moment-themed Great Escape in Scottsdale.

Many thanks to Crops of Love for helping our children and parents make such amazing scrapbooks and to Blessed Sacrament Church for providing us with space for the event.

"It was a great time spending the day with my kiddos," said Starlight Mom Michelle. "And I can't believe what beautiful books they put together that we will have for a lifetime!"

Recently, California Pizza Kitchen teamed up with Starlight MidAtlantic to host a CPKids Camp Great Escape for more than 35 Starlight children and family members at the Old Pine Community Center in Philadelphia. Thanks to the hard work and unflagging enthusiasm of CPK employee volunteers, the gymnasium was transformed into an indoor carnival complete with a moon bounce, carnival games, balloon twister and a delicious buffet lunch provided by the restaurant.

"I can’t begin to describe what an afternoon like this means to our Starlight families," said Cathy Link, Great Escapes Coordinator at Starlight MidAtlantic. "For the children, it’s playing in a moon bounce and eating cotton candy. For the parents, it’s seeing their children happy and excited and, for a few hours, distracted from their illnesses. This particular event is even more special because of California Pizza Kitchen’s involvement. The families look forward to our CPKids Camp every year and truly enjoy dancing, playing games and creating artwork with CPK employee volunteers."

Thanks for your support, CPK!

Help seriously ill children live a better life.

Starlight is proud to announce a global partnership with Orbit Media Group, LLC, centered on Cowboys & Aliens: The Kids, its new interactive children’s story App Book based on the NY Times Best-Selling graphic novel and blockbuster movie currently in theatres.

Cowboys & Aliens: The Kids provides children with an engrossing and immersive personalized experience of color, sights, sounds and wonder. It features activities such as individualized narration, coloring and painting, animation and picture manipulation throughout a storyline that encourages friendship through sharing.

The story revolves around three children a Western cowboy, a Native American, and a space alien that meet and become friends while playing with their toys.

Best yet with your purchase of Cowboys & Aliens: The Kids, Orbit will donate 25 cents to help Starlight better the lives of the families we serve!

Purchase Cowboys & Aliens: The Kids from iTunes by simply clicking here!

And be sure to take advantage of other ways for you to get and stay connected to all things Cowboys & Aliens: The Kids - visit the website at www.cowboysandaliensthekids.com.

Thanks to all of our AA volunteers! See more photos here.

This week, we crown Starlight Mom Lela for sharing this short video of her son Marcelo while he works on his technique at HEART Soccer Camp, hosted by our friends at Chivas USA.

More than 50 Starlight children and family members attended the soccer clinic at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. Chivas USA's HEART Soccer Camp series is a unique initiative that connects the game of soccer to children and youth with special needs and demonstrates that children and youth can overcome their physical limitations and enjoy soccer.

Congratulations, Lela! We hope you and Marcelo enjoyed a great afternoon of fun and exercise!

Click on the image below to watch Marcelo in action.

Are you following Starlight on Facebook? Like us here - maybe you'll be our next Friend of the Week! 

Before the show, the Starlight crowd got the party started early at an exclusive reception with a catered dinner, Ringling performers, balloon artists, face painters and clowns.

Corbin took some time to speak to StarCam's Jennifer Tapiero about what Starlight means to him.

"I’ve been working for Starlight for quite a while now . . . They do what no other foundation does. They really provide such an escape for all these children and a support group for their families as well. It’s not just the kids who are going through [illness] . . . it takes its toll on everybody . . ."

Can't help but love Corbin!

Many thanks to Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey and FELD Entertainment for the great night!  

"Colgate-Palmolive and Fry's Food Stores are proud to support Starlight and their dedication to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with the challenges that accompany prolonged childhood illness," said Pam Giannonatti, Consumer/Community Relations Manager, Fry's Food Stores. "Starlight's programs ease the burden on seriously ill children and their families and help them to better deal with, understand and manage their illnesses. We hope that the Fun Center will help bring smiles to the children at the Arizona Children's Center."

Enjoy some photos below from the Fun Center's dedication ceremony.

Thank you Colgate-Palmolive and Fry's Food Stores for your support! We know this Fun Center will have a happy home!

A little girl makes a new friend at a Great Escape with Starlight California in San Diego.

That Wednesday could have been just like any other Wednesday. However, thanks to the Oscar-themed No Worries NOW Prom, hosted by the No Worries NOW Foundation, it was an absolutely magical night for some very special Starlight kids.

Guests were dressed to impress when they arrived at Madame Tussauds Hollywood and were greeted with a paparazzi-filled red carpet. The cameras were flashing and interviews were rolling. Everyone was getting the A-List treatment.

Once inside, we were transported up to the wax museum’s rooftop where a party was in full swing. Twinkly lights were strung above the entire deck. There was a large lit up stage with a DJ who played everything from old hits to Top 40, a photo booth, caricature and balloon artists and a roaming magician. Guests sat at tables and soaked up the scenery.

After everyone finished a scrumptious dinner, the wax museum was opened. All the children - some escorted by dates, some by their parents - raced throughout the exhibits to get their photos taken with the alarmingly life-like statues of celebrities and superheroes from today and yesterday. There was someone for everyone, from Justin Timberlake to Lawrence of Arabia to Michael Jackson (who had a whole room to himself!).

Once everyone finished in the museum, it was time to get the party moving! The crowd came out onto the dance floor and sang and danced to all of their favorite tunes.

Most of these children couldn’t go to their own proms because of their illnesses, so the No Worries NOW Prom was their second chance to have an experience just like every other kid in high school. It was inspiring to see that even though these people have to go through things the normal person couldn’t even imagine, they don’t let it get in the way of them having a good time!

Again, it was truly magical Wednesday night.

-Starlight Intern Sara

At the Fun Center's dedication ceremony, young patients were joined by representatives from MLB and the D-backs, MLB Mascots and Vera Clemente, MLB Goodwill Ambassador and wife of the late Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.

"I know that on behalf of my four and a half year old [these Fun Centers] have been able to distract him from all those painful procedures or treatments or extended stays that we’ve had to endure," said one mother. "I know all these [young patients] are probably going through different things, but these Fun Centers just help them [be distracted] and get away from all that. So I just want to say a sincere thank you to everyone who’s contributed."

Major League Baseball has placed more than 40 Fun Centers in hospitals across America since it began its partnership in with Starlight 2005.

Watch MLB's video from the Fun Center dedication below.

Thanks for your support, MLB!

More than 25 children along with their families and staff from Starlight attended the event.

"This annual event provides these children with an opportunity and experience that they would not normally have," said Stacy Edwards, Director of Special Equestrians of Georgia. "The horses and children seem to build an immediate bond, which we try to expand via riding and the especially favorite activity - horse painting - where the children get to create designs on their horse for display. This is an enjoyable event for our staff as well as the children."

"Children who are seriously ill and their families need a continued sense of hope, courage and energy and the belief in brighter days ahead," said Roshni Rai, Community Program Coordinator at Starlight Georgia. "This event with Special Equestrians gives them something to anticipate. The fun they have allows them to forget all about their situation and provides them with a feeling of normalcy in a friendly, accepting environment."

Starlight’s Great Escapes family events happen at least once a month in about 30 cities in the U.S. to provide families with a chance to bond and recharge away from the hospital and medical treatments, while at the same time connecting them with others facing similar challenges, so that no one feels alone. Learn more at www.starlight.org/greatescapes. 

See more photos here.

Photos courtesy of Caty Coplin Photography and Design.

The force is strong with this one! Read the Sydney Morning Herald's story about Jacob French, 20, who, on Monday, began a walk across Australia to raise $50,000 for Starlight - in full Imperial Stormtrooper garb.

''I have always had this dream to walk across Australia and I thought if I was going to put that much effort into something which would make me happy, I might as well make other people happy on the way,'' Jacob told the newspaper. ''I thought I might as well give people a bit of a chuckle at the same time by doing it in a Stormtrooper suit.''

Jacob aims to complete his 'Troopertrek' - all 3,107 miles - by December and we support him all the way!

Read the Sydney Morning Herald's full article here, and to donate to 'Troopertrek,' visit Jacob's fundraising page.

A Starlight MidAtlantic family from Philadelphia was up, up and away last Sunday evening, thanks to our friends at DIRECTV. Eight-year old twin brothers Christopher and Tony, along with their mother and father, were treated to a bird's-eye view of the Philadelphia skyline as they rode in the DIRECTV blimp.

After a private drive to the airfield, the family met with the Captain Stewart and the crew chiefs to tour the blimp and receive their official DIRECTV crew t-shirts. Once the group was aboard, with safety belts fastened and headsets secured, the blimp rose slowly from the field and floated towards Center City Philadelphia. Along the way, the boys made a game of pointing out familiar landmarks, including their own house!

Captain Stewart answered questions and entertained the group with stories throughout the flight. As the sun began to slip past the horizon, it was time to return the blimp to the airfield. Christopher and Tony emerged from blimp with huge smiles on their faces, full of thank yous to the pilot and crew for such an amazing ride. The boys were excited to return home to tell their friends about their latest Starlight adventure.

Many thanks to DIRECTV and the incredible Lightships crew for giving this Starlight family a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget!

-Cathy Link, Community Program Coordinator, Starlight MidAtlantic in Philadelphia

Some Oompa Loompas team up with police officers for a game of tug o' war at a Starlight UK event. Gotta love those biceps!

Makes one wonder... Who would YOU like to see at your next Starlight Great Escape?

With this in mind, our Great Escapes family activities program was created to provide families with a chance to spend recreational time together to relax away from the hospital and make special memories together.

The variety of activities offered through Great Escapes is endless: movie screenings, circus trips, mother-daughter makeovers, sporting events, picnics and more.

Everything about Great Escapes is designed to make a sick child feel extraordinarily special, from the personalized invitations to being greeted by name at every event. But more importantly, Great Escapes also make the children feel incredibly normal as they experience fun activities in a friendly, accepting environment.

Starlight and our corporate partners and donors underwrite all event costs to make every Great Escape an "all inclusive" affair, allowing families to relax and enjoy themselves while someone else worries about the details.

If you know a child or family who can benefit from our Great Escapes program, please visit www.starlight.org/greatescapes.

We're only two weeks into the summer season, yet our Great Escapes program is already making Summer 2011 a memorable time for Starlight families across the country. Check out some of our recent Great Escapes below - and there's more fun to come!

Starlight Texas

Trip to the Snake Farm

See more photos here.

Starlight California in Los Angeles

A Day with Deloitte at the Calfornia Science Center

Read more about this Great Escape here.

Starlight Georgia

An Afternoon at Turner Field with the Atlanta Braves

Read more here.

Starlight Midwest

Father's Day at the Lincoln Park Zoo

See more photos here.

Starlight NY*NJ*CT

9th Annual Starlight Night at Citi Field

See more pictures here.

Starlight Florida

Holidays in July

See more photos here.

Starlight NY*NJ*CT

Family Fun Day at Great Adventure

See more pictures here.

Watch NY1's coverage of the Starlight Site's dedication ceremony here. We love the reaction from young patient Constantine - "[The care room] is really fun. And way better."

News of the Starlight Site was also shared in the NorthJersey.com article, "Englewood Hospital makes kid care easier." 

Thanks, IICF, for all your support!

The Starlight Site at Englewood is the ninth Starlight Site at seven hospitals in the tri-state area.

To learn more about Starlight's Starlight Site program, please visit www.starlight.org/starlightsites.

Read Hilton Gives Back here.

Congratulations, Paris!

Being a new intern at Starlight’s Global Office, I had never been to a Great Escape before. I was told the events were amazing, but nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced at the Deloitte Impact Day at the California Science Center. 

I had been to the Science Center before, but what was truly unique about this event was that the Science Center allowed Starlight families and Deloitte volunteers to go inside an hour earlier than the general public. It was like having our own private science show!

The kids went wild once inside. The exhibits are mostly hands on, which really appealed to the children. However, it seemed to offer the parents a chance to be kids again, too!

The pizza lunch, generously provided by Pizza Rustica, was the perfect solution for everyone’s hungry tummies. Along with lunch there was a raffle, sponsored by Deloitte, where every child walked away with a souvenir from the Science Store! After playing with their newfound toys and newly-made friends, everyone was ready for the IMAX theatre.

The movie was called Arabia: 3D and featured scenes of history in Saudi Arabia. The colorful scenes from the Red Sea and the immense spans of the desert were truly awe-inspiring moments.

After the IMAX, the group participated in three science experiments: building a rollercoaster, trying to make sailboats float and creating slime! The children loved the slime, and almost every kid walked away with a little container of the gooey mess. It was fun watching the kids learn about physics with the rollercoaster experiment - they were so creative! The sailboat activity definitely involved some trial-and-error, but most kids got the hang of it in the end.

As the children were running around with smiles on their faces, it was amazing to see the connections between the Deloitte volunteers and Starlight parents. The relief on the faces of parents as they shared the stories of their situations and the kind looks of understanding on the faces of volunteers made me realize what Great Escapes are truly about.  

Each Starlight parent, sibling and child has their own hardships that come with serious illness. Whether it be paying the bills, being cooped up in a hospital for months or having a hard time talking to others about their situation, the difficulties these families deal with seem to disappear at Great Escapes.

Every child was smiling and all the parents seemed to be at peace.

Thank you, Deloitte, for an unforgettable afternoon!

by Stalight Intern Sara

Read a heartfelt story about Emma's involvement in the early days of Starlight and her continued work with Starlight UK.

As the winner of this year's The Clarins Most Dynamisante Award, a £30,000 donation will be made to Starlight UK in Emma's name to fund ten Starlight Fun Centers.

Congratulations, Emma, and thank you for all you've done for Starlight since day one!

Recently, children undergoing treatment at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN, smiled brighter. Through an ongoing partnership between Colgate-Palmolive and Starlight, and with the support of Kroger, a new Starlight Fun Center was unveiled at the hospital for its pediatric patients.

Enjoy your new Fun Center, Le Bonheur!

And thanks for your continued support, Colgate-Palmolive and Kroger!

Amongst the questions asked of Nathalie were:

“How did you get into making jewelry?”

“How do you get your ideas for a design?”

“Where is Nemo’s dad headed to find Nemo?” (‘I dunno for sure, but I DO have a Dori design in my collection!’)

Part way through the chat, Nathalie turned the Q&A tables on the Starbright World teens, asking them to help inspire her soon-to-be Starlight Jewelry collection, which will benefit Starlight. 

Very excited to share their opinions, the young men and women of Starbright World offered up some really fantastic ideas. 

Nathalie’s energy and interest in what the teens had to say really encouraged exciting dialogue and the air of excitement in Starbright World was palpable.

Thank you so much Nathalie! We cannot wait to experience the Starlight Collection!

by Starbright World Senior Chat Host Rasa

Recently, Starlight Canada unveiled The Starlight Garden, an extension of the already busy Starlight Room on the 9^th floor of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

What was once an unused rooftop has been transformed into a garden space where children and parents have an opportunity to retreat to a restful haven outside and away from the hustle and bustle of hospital life and regain a connection with nature.

The inviting garden has two large lounge areas shaded with dramatic and colourful sails, which offer a source of permanent shade to protect patients from the sun. The perimeter of the entire 3,500 sq. foot area is surrounded by plantings of trees, grasses and perennials and includes a drip irrigation system that will ensure the plants remain healthy and attractive.

Etched in the stone pavers are whimsical and inspirational words to remind us that “kids need to be kids” even when facing a serious illness. “Giant egg rocks” define areas to explore and children are invited to paint the rocks and then leave their creation in the garden for other children to enjoy. Tall bubble tubes create an endless flow of bubbles continuously replenishing themselves, providing a whimsical yet soothing visual display. A four-foot stone Inukshuk and wall mural will be completed over the summer.

The Starlight Garden is now open, thanks to our incredibly generous donors, the creative designers and contractors of  Landscape Ontario and the army of skilled volunteers who donated their time, energy and expertise to build space. 

The Starlight Garden will prove to be a special outdoor oasis for cancer patients and their families – a real gift for those children who, in many instances, have been confined in hospital for long periods of time.  

By Cathy Diamond, Starlight Canada

Originally born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Daniel Samonas got an early start in the "business" at the ripe age of five years old. It all began when week after week he’d open toy magazines and see photos of kids playing and looking like they were having the most fun in the world – and when he found out the kids were getting paid to do it, he needed in! Daniel moved with his family to Florida when he was 11 years old and then to California, where he was approached by a modeling agent while shopping at a mall with his mother. He’d go on to book 60 print jobs in a four month period! Daniel’s interest in acting also became stronger and stronger and he was fortunate enough to work on several commercials and student films, building experience and confidence in front of the camera and being on a set. Daniel has guest starred on “Wizards of Waverly Place,” “Entourage,” “Hannah Montana,” “CSI: New York,” “Without a Trace,” “iCarly,” “Zoey 101” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

We're very excited to have Daniel be a part of Starlight, and invite you to learn a little more about our newest StarPower Ambassador.

12 Questions with Daniel

• What is your full name? Daniel Nicholas Patrick Samonas
• What city do you call home? My home town is Richmond Hill, Ontario, which is about 20-30 minutes north of beautiful downtown Toronto. Currently, we have made a second home in Burbank, CA.
• When is your birthday? March 7th
• What is your favorite color? My favorite color would have to be red!
• Where do we recognize you from? I get the most recognition from portraying Selena’s boyfriend “Dean” on "Wizards of Waverly Place."
• When did you know you wanted to get into “show business?” I started commercial modeling back in Toronto when I was five years old.
• If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you? John Stamos!!!!!!!
• If aliens landed in front of you and offered you any position on their planet, what would you want? I'd want to be their Uncle Jessie.
• How many close friends do you have? Maybe four. Two who are close physically, too. The other two are pretty far away, but the bond is there. Phil just got deployed out to Afghanistan and Max is currently out in Portland with family. I’m currently out in beautiful Mississippi with Tay and Andy now!
• What is your happiest memory? The first thing that comes to mind would have to be when my brother flew out from Florida to surprise me for my 17th birthday. He had sent me a life-sized poster of himself and with it a note saying he wished he could be there. While I was distracted laughing at this ridiculous poster, he snuck up behind me and surprised the life out of me!
• How did you learn about Starlight? I had heard about Starlight a few years back. A couple friends of mine had actively been a part of the organization. I finally met someone from Starlight this past year and she presented me with the opportunity to hop on board!
• What do you like best about being a StarPower Ambassador? I’ve only been a StarPower Ambassador for a short time now, but had the privilege of taking part in Starlight's A Stellar Night gala where I had the opportunity to spend some time with the children and that was a very surreal and gratifying experience.

Learn more about Starlight's StarPower Ambassador program at www.starlight.org/starpowerambassadors.

Thank you so much for your Fun Center. It has certainly found a good home up in the 10 Northwest activity room. It has been put to great use; the kids love it! We have seen patients who have been cooped up in their room, come out of their rooms, walk down the hall and light up when they see that there is a Fun Center to play with. Not only that, patients have been able to interact with other patients going through similar situations by playing the two player games together.

Even more so than using the Fun Center in our activity room, we have been able to frequently incorporate it into our patient incentive charts. Often times after surgery, patients are required to walk and engage in physical therapy, things that can be very challenging. Thus, incentive charts are typically incorporated into patients' care to help motivate them and very frequently the Fun Center is used as an incentive for patients. It is amazing the difference when we ask children to walk down the hall and when we ask them to walk down the hall with the added promise of being able to play a videogame.

In closing, we on behalf of our patients and families, are so thankful for all that you do for hospitals across the country. Thank you for advocating on our behalf and allowing children to have opportunities for fun, play, and normalcy even while in the hospital environment. Our work is certainly benefited because of what you and your organization do.

Thank you again,

Children's Hospital Boston

Growing up in the mountains of Colorado, it was obvious early on that Jackson Odell had his sites set on Hollywood. By the age of seven, Jackson was singing in front of thousands with the Colorado Children’s Chorale and has performed for world leaders and dignitaries. This sparked his love of music and performing. Playing the piano, guitar and drums, Jackson was destined to have a career in the entertainment industry.

Jackson appears as Zeke in the feature film Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer - which is out in theatres now - along with Heather Graham and Oscar-Winning Producer of Precious, Sarah Siegel Magness. Jackson has also landed recurring and guest-star roles on some of the funniest, Emmy-award winning shows on television.

When he’s not on set filming you can find Jackson in the recording studio, playing guitar or piano and writing songs. Jackson is also very serious about his education. He continues to excel academically with the goal of graduating early and attending Oxford University.

Starlight is very honored to have Jackson on board as a StarPower Ambassador. We recently sat down with him, to learn a little more about the young man.

And now, we present to you...

12 Questions with Jackson

• What is your full name? Jackson Reid Odell
• What city do you call home? Evergreen, CO - but I've been living in Los Angeles for work.
• When is your birthday? July 2, 1997
• What is your favorite color? Green
• Where do we recognize you from? I have a movie coming out June 10 called Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer! I've also been on Modern Family, the Hallmark Channel movie Healing Hands and Showtime's Tracy Ullman's State of the Union. Also, I have a lot of fans on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/jaxnsings
• When did you know you wanted to get into “show business?”  I think I was 6 or 7?  I auditioned for the Colorado Children's Chorale when I was in the 2nd grade. They selected me to be part of their Chorale and that's where I really started to love being on stage. So I started pushing my parents and by the 5th grade I had an agent and manager in LA and started working! 
• Aside from acting, what other hobbies do you have? Music is my passion. I love playing the guitar and I also play the piano. I also like to surf and ski. I also started doing MMA and it's really awesome! 
• What is your favorite movie and song? My favorite movie is The Breakfast Club. I know it's old, but it is such a great movie. My favorite song is John Mayer's Who Did You Think I Was. 
• What is your most embarrassing moment? My first commercial audition when I was 10. The casting director was so random and he threw an apple at my face and I didn't know what to do and it totally freaked me out! 
• If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be? Telekenisis 
• How did you learn about Starlight? I was introduced to Starlight by Sarah Magness, the producer of Precious and my new movie Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.  When I learned about the program from Sarah and all the great things Starlight does to help kids and their families, I really wanted to be part of it! 
• What do you like best about being a StarPower Ambassador? I think it's so cool to get to be with the kids from Starlight. When I attend a Starlight event, I am always amazed at how much these kids have gone through and it makes me just really appreciate getting to help out any way I can. I know how blessed I am to get to do the things I do and I really believe in paying it forward. So if by being an means Ambassador I can make a difference for somebody else, then I want to do that. 

What is Jackson up to next? 

This weekend, Jackson has quite a busy schedule, doing all he can to show his support for Starlight Texas.

On Friday, be sure to catch Jackson on Good Morning Texas (WFAA-TV in Dallas/Fort Worth) to help promote Starlight Texas' newly launched Brighten Up Bear program. Read all about it here! After, Jackson will be dropping by Children's Medical Center to spend quality time with young patients there - and drop off some bears of course! - before joining Starlight families for an evening screening of  Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer at AMC North Park, located at 8687 North Central Expressway in Dallas. The public is invited to attend! 

On Saturday at 2 p.m., don't miss Jackson at the Grand Opening celebration of the new Chocococo kids boutique at the Galleria Dallas, benefiting Starlight. Jackson will serve as the special guest host for a children's fashion show and treat the audience to a special performance. Admission is complimentary, but space is limited. RSVP today at info@chocococo.net. Learn more at www.starlight.org/texas/promotions. 

Thank you, Chocococo, for all your support!

What a fun Great Escape to start the summer season!

This past Saturday, knitters all across the world attempted to bring a little color to some urban landscapes in celebration of the first-ever International Yarn Bombing Day.

With the goal of putting a smile on people's faces, fiber artists "bombed" trees, street signs, parking meters, fences, statues, cars and other inanimate objects in knit pieces.

While their actions may have confused some onlookers, arts and crafts specialty store Michaels encouraged it and welcomed knitting artists to invade - and cover - its stores in Manhattan, Chicago, Dallas, Burbank and Toronto. Knitters were also invited to use their skills to create blankets and wagon liners for Starlight to distribute young patients in local hospitals.    

Michaels' International Yarm Bombing Day celebration and knit-a-thon for Starlight made headlines in newspapers and blogs all across the country. Some of our favorites include 'Knitters hit the streets' by Pasadena Star News and 'Michaels gets yarn bombed' by the Dallas Business Journal.

Thank you, Michaels, for making this a such a warm and fuzzy afternoon for Starlight! 

Blankets and wagon liners will be donated to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Miller Children's Hospital, Queen Health Network, Children's Memorial Hospital, Ronald McDonald Children's Hospital of Loyola and Toronto East General Hospital.   

Want to see more yarn bombing? Then check out Michael's Facebook page.

Creativity, we salute you...

Starlight Texas Community Development Officer Mark Ford accepts a $5,000 check for Starlight from Wyndham Worldwide and Super 8. We consider ourselves very lucky to be a signature charity of Wyndham Worldwide's Wishes by Wyndham program.

Throughout the month of June, GreatNonprofits is hosting its second annual Health Campaign and is asking the public to help identify top nonprofits working on health issues and initiatives around the world by writing a review.

Any organization that receives 10 or more positive reviews during the month of June will be featured as a Top-Rated Health Nonprofit.

We are calling on YOU to help Starlight shine!

Do you have a story to share—about a Great Escape, a special Starlight employee or volunteer, an online program or a Starlight Fun Center your child may have played with during a hospital stay? We’d love to hear it.

Between now and June 30, please visit our profile page on GreatNonprofits and post a review of your experience with us. Click on the Write a Review button on the top left corner, fill in the review form and click Submit.

Posting a review is very easy to complete and should only take three minutes. All reviews will help us continue to build our GreatNonprofits profile, making Starlight a positive choice for future donors, volunteers and families of seriously ill children!

Thank you.

Michaels, North America's largest arts and crafts specialty retailer, celebrates the first ever International Yarn Bombing Day on Saturday, June 11 from 1 - 5 pm with in-store yarn bomb installations and knit-a-thons at five locations.

International Yarn Bombing Day was started to encourage yarn bombers around the world to display pieces of knitting and crochet on a single day to raise awareness of the fast growing art form.

"International Yarn Bombing Day celebrates the art forms of knitting and crocheting, and we want to recognize and support knitters and crocheters by marking the day in our stores," said Michaels CMO Paula Puleo. "We are continually impressed by the creativity of all our customers, and salute those who share their unique art with their communities."

Yarn bombing is a type of street art that features displays of knitting or crocheting on ordinary objects in the community such as street signs, trees, public buildings and monuments. Yarn bombers have also been known to cover cars, bikes, phone booths, buses and just about anything else.

Michaels will have yarn bombers displaying their craft in these five Michaels stores:

• Manhattan (808 Columbus Avenue)
• Chicago (3131 N. Clark Street)
• Dallas (5500 Greenville Ave.)
• Burbank, CA (1551 N. Victory Pl.)
• Toronto (30 Billy Bishop Way.)

The five in-store events will also feature a knit-a-thon where knitters can come in and create blankets and wagon liners for Starlight.

"We appreciate Michaels for including Starlight Children's Foundation in this fun, creative event," said Starlight CEO Jacqueline Hart-Ibrahim. "Their continued generosity, along with the knitted donations, means a lot to some very special hospitalized children."

"Celebrity is a very weird thing," Minnie told a Major League Baseball reporter before taking to the mound. "It's mostly like a sort of useless limb. And every once in a while, it kind of, you can use it for good effect. This is one of those things, shining a light on philanthropic causes. It's just great."

The next day, she would go on to host Starlight Midwest's 25th Anniversary Gala at the Standard Club in Chicago.

Read more about Minnie's pitching arm and her support for Starlight in MLB's article, Actress Driver throws first pitch, supports cause. 

The promotion runs from June 1 - June 28 at all 167 Stater Bros. stores. Learn more by taking a glance at Stater Bros.' June Savings Guide.

This year, Colgate-Palmolive celebrated its 21st year of partnering with Starlight. During the more than two-decade partnership, Colgate has donated more than 1,300 Starlight Fun Centers and about $8.5 million to Starlight to promote Starlight’s mission and help improve the lives of young patients and their families.

Young patient Richard concentrates on his new friend. 

The Fun Center also gave adults a reason a smile (from left to right): Ryan Noyes, Manager Community and Government Relations, ACME Markets; Barbara McCarty, MS, CCLS, Child Life Coordinator, Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper; Robin Hain, Account Business Manager, Colgate-Palmolive Company; Robyn Harvey, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Director of Patient Care Services, Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper.

Watch Joan's interview here and click on the button below to learn more about this fun event.

Good job, Joan!

Looking good and doing good is always in fashion! Forever 21, Inc. has just come out with a charitable line of Starlight Tees for the spring season! Available now at select Forever21 stores and Forever21.com, the tees will retail for $14.80, and Forever21 will donate $1 from the purchase price of a tee to Starlight. Buy your Starlight tee today! Visit www.Forever21.com and type 'Starlight Children's Foundation' in the Search box.

Starlight 'A Little Laughter' Tank

Racerback. Scoop neck. Lightweight knit.

Get yours now!

Starlight Dream Tank

Scoop neck. Lightweight. Slub knit.

Get yours now!
 

Starlight Hope Tee

Relaxed crop fit. Short sleeves. Round neck. Lightweight knit.

Get yours now!

Now, two years later, Susan is closer than ever to her family and friends while living out her dream as founder and designer of Susi D. Jewelry.

Susi D. Jewelry is versatile, elegant and feminine. Each piece Susan designs is sculpted by hand, resulting in pieces that are timeless and suitable for every woman.  

Susi D. Jewelry’s Connection Collection features a handcrafted charm necklace folded into a beautiful card, featuring a personal message from the buyer to the recipient. The necklace can be used as a piece of jewelry, talisman or good luck charm, and is an affordable gift for family, friends, co-workers or other loved ones for any occasion.

Susan is optimistic that her new line of charm necklaces will offer joy and inspiration to others. Each card is a special gift to keep you connected with the ones you love and care about.

Check out Susi D. Jewelry’s website at www.susidjewelry.com. Susi D. Jewelry donates 20 percent of each Connection Collection sale to Starlight.

Recently, we sat down with Susan to learn a little more about her and the Susi D. Jewelry line. Enjoy... 

When did you start to design jewelry and what drew you to this profession?

I have been taking classes and experimenting with jewelry for the last 5 years after being introduced to this profession by a friend. In the summer of 2008, I officially launched my first collection.

What inspired you to create the Connection Collection? Which piece of jewelry is your favorite?

Having had cancer myself, I know how hard everyday life can be for the individual as well as the family that surrounds them. I had surgery to remove the cancer just before my daughter turned one and I don't know what I would have done without the love and support of my husband, family and friends. The Connection Collection was born out of the urge to say “thank you” to the ones you love, but also to have something to see you through as the battle continues. My favorite is the Angel Wing, it reminds me that I am not alone and everything is possible.

Where did the inspiration for ‘giving back’ come from?

Having a part of the proceeds go to a charitable organization made sense and made each piece so much more special. Not only will it mean a lot to the recipient and the giver, but it will also help someone else in need.

Where did you hear about Starlight and what made you want to get involved?

I was recommended to Starlight through a friend and after reading up on the great work this organization does and the fact that Starlight is helping children and their families made this connection a perfect match.

What is your favorite Starlight-Susi D Jewelry memory?

Most cards are bought as a gift for someone and the sender will add a personal message. Over Christmas last year, I got to add a lot of personal messages to cards...some inspired me, some made made laugh and some made me cry, but most of all I felt blessed to be a part of something bigger.

Are there any exciting new products or features on your website you would like to make our readers aware of?

I am in the midst of collecting pictures of people wearing the Connection Collection to create a gallery and share some of the stories behind the cards, like who bought them and why. If anyone would like to participate, then please let me know (yes, there will be a reward for your time). I am also starting to introduce the new pendants on Facebook each month and everyone posting a comment will have a chance to win the pendant of their choice.

Fun facts about Susan

Favorite quote?

When in doubt, take the next step. (Not sure who said it. I read it on Facebook.)

Favorite downtime activity?

Playing with my daughter and husband and taking trips to see family and friends.

What’s your favorite spot to make jewelry?

My studio. It has a large picture window overlooking a canyon, so I always feel like I am in a tree house.

Who is your greatest inspiration?

I don't have one specific person.   have met some amazing women so far that had a dream and followed it, who stayed up at night to work on their business and wouldn't take NO for an answer. I admire everyone who is not afraid to go for it and follow whatever it is their calling might be. Mine happens to be jewelry and the joy it can bring to someone's life.

Yesterday I cried... Not because my son came home from school crying due to being teased. Not because he faces another surgery, and casting. Not because I need to tell him yet again, it's ok to do things different than everyone else. And not because I beg the Lord to switch places with me, and heal him so he can be just like all the other boys. I cried because he told me that thanks to Starlight he felt like a king this week. He told me he thought we were rich. And because he asked me 'mom, I am special, aren't I?'  That itself was worth every tear I ever shed. 

Recently, Starlight Midwest hosted a “Glee-full” themed prom for Starlight teens and their families in the Chicago area. The event was sponsored by the CNA Foundation.   Prom is a wonderful event that allows teens who may not otherwise be able to attend a high school prom to come together and dance the night away. It was a highlight of the night to see all the teens, especially those in wheel chairs, out on the dance floor with their dates, families and friends. Thanks to DJ Mary Monica, some of the favorites tunes that night included 'YMCA' and 'Cupid Shuffle'. 

Teens also got their pictures taken and took them home in a keepsake frame, were treated to dinner and slushees and won raffle prizes. 

'Starlight Prom 2011' was a huge success thanks to all the wonderful volunteers and teens who attended. A cherished memory for sure, it's safe to say that the countdown has already begun for next year’s prom. 

See more pictures of 'Starlight Prom 2011' here and check out ABC 7's article, 'Chronically ill teens enjoy Glee-themed prom', for more.

With summer approaching, Starbright World – Starlight’s online social network for seriously ill teens, ages 13-20, and their teen-aged siblings - is the perfect destination for teens who are confined to a hospital bed or stuck at home unable to visit family or hang out with friends because of a chronic or life-threatening illness.

With its members in mind, Starbright World has lined up a series of online chats and events to serve as perfect summer treats – providing teens with nonstop entertainment, laughs and opportunities to bond and create memories with friends throughout the season!

From trivia contests to events that let you celebrate your friends and pets to chats about movies and all the things that give you stress - there’s something for everyone this summer on Starbright World! The site also lets members from connect with each other via virtual games and express themselves through stories, photos, videos, e-cards and personal profiles.

Be part of the fun this summer! Get started at www.starbrightworld.org 

Princess Tea Time

Tulsa-area Qdoba franchisee, Burrito Concepts, LLC, was the winner of the 2010 Qdoba Cares Award, presented by Qdoba Mexican Grill at its annual franchise business meeting. The Qdoba Cares Award recognizes a local market or franchise group for their continued dedication to community outreach. 

“We are always looking for opportunities to give back to the communities that we are a part of,” said Randy Allen, owner of Burrito Concepts, LLC. “Being last year’s recipient of the Qdoba Cares Awards affords us the ability to dedicate a Starlight Fun Center right here in our own backyard in Tulsa and we are happy to be sponsoring this gift for the children and families at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.”

“Fun Centers address the isolation and fear sick children often experience in the hospital,” said Jenny Isaacson, VP of Brand and Partnerships at Starlight. “We know a Fun Center is a most welcome guest when parents and other visitors aren’t able to be at a child’s bedside. We are thrilled to partner with Qdoba Mexican Grill because they’re committed to easing loneliness and anxiety while helping kids just be kids even when they’re in the hospital.”

Qdoba, known for its fresh food and innovative flavors, also provided food to those who attended the Fun Center’s dedication ceremony.

Oklahoma's News On 6 arrived to catch all the action yesterday. Watch its videoclip - 'Fun Center' At Tulsa Hospital Eases Nerves of Young Children' - here. 

Starlight Texas families in Houston enjoyed a beautiful day watching the Astros take on the New York Mets. An open roof stadium, shining sun and cool blowing breeze made for a perfect day at the ball park.

Well, almost perfect...

Although the Astros lost, Starlight families still had a blast!

Starlight Texas in Houston would like to say THANK YOU to Ben and Jerry's of Galveston for sponsoring this special Great Escape and also to the Houston Astros for its continued support through its charitable donations program! Thank you all for this wonderful day!
-Cayman Tirado, Coordinator, Houston Metro Area Great Escapes Program 

These are the types of questions asked in Pop Showdown – Boston University’s brand new pop culture quiz show on its student run television station, butv10. Recently, Pop Showdown hosted a charity episode, which featured BU Dean of Students Kenn Elmore competing against BU sophomore and Jeopardy! 2011 College Champion Erin McLean (who won $100,000 on the popular game show’s last College Tournament in November)…and benefited none other than Starlight!

An episode of Pop Showdown consists of three rounds. In the first two rounds, two contestants go back and forth spinning a wheel (similar to Wheel of Fortune) that has eight categories: TV, Film, Music, Advertising, Celebrities, Online, Pop-Up and Lose a Term. Contestants spin for their chance to answer a question. A right answer earns them ten points. A wrong answer allows an opponent to steal the question for five points. Points double in the second round.

The contestant with the most points at the end of the first two rounds moves on to the Lightning Round and is challenged to correctly identify nine of 12 images with just :30 seconds on the clock to win the grand prize.

Producers Amy Neben, Maurice Rahmey and Dani Winter drew inspiration for Pop Showdown from a BUTV10 game show that ran several years ago. They felt it was important to continue the tradition – and to host a charity episode while they were at it.

“. . . Doing a charity episode was a great way to give back to the community and try and raise awareness on campus for a cause we all believed in,” said Maurice. “We ultimately chose Starlight because we're all really big proponents of bringing hope to seriously ill children. We were really impressed with the number of children Starlight has helped over the years as well as that they have accomplished a lot more than just entertaining kids.”

So who triumphed – Dean Elmore or McLean? And how much money was raised for Starlight?

You’ll have to tune it to watch.  

The charity episode of Pop Showdown airs today, Friday, May 13, 2011, on BU Campus Channel 10 and www.butv10.com.

And, of course, we won’t leave you hanging!

So who composed the theme music to “West Side Story?” It was Leonard Bernstein.

And what was the most watched series finale in the history of television? It was M.A.S.H.

Are you a Boston University student interested in appearing on Pop Showdown? Email popshowdown@butv10.com for more information. 

All of the proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Starlight MidAtlantic’s Great Escapes™ family events program for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses - and their families - in the greater Philadelphia area. Great Escapes are relaxing, fun-filled events that make special memories for Starlight families and create a community by connecting them with others struggling with similar circumstances.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Qdoba Mexican Grill

280 E. Lancaster Ave.

Wynnewood, PA 19096

Phone: 610.658.3218

SEE YOU THERE! 

Starlight's 6^th Annual Hats & Handbags, A Classic English Afternoon Tea, raised more than $24,000 to support Florida’s seriously children and their families. The event, presented by Rick Case Automotive Group, took place Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the elegant Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa in Hallandale Beach. CBS4 Neighbors4Neighbors reporter Nicole Maristany served as emcee.

Having attracted a crowd of more than 225 women, the Tea festivities began with a boutique sale where guests shopped from a wide array of home goods and unique custom-made handbags, jewelry and other accessories for their spring and summer wardrobes. In addition to shopping, the event also featured fabulous food and scrumptious teas, live youth entertainment by up-and-coming teen singer Joshua Grosso of American Heritage High School, and special guest speaker and  Starlight teen Caroline Llarena, who, with the help of a friend, shared how Starlight’s online community Starbright World touched her life by connecting her to other seriously ill teens across the country.

Event co-chairs Susan Baer and Barbara Day agreed: “Hats & Handbags proved the perfect excuse for a day of fun with girlfriends and family. All guests looked forward to donning their most fabulous hats and carrying their most fantastic handbags!”

“Hats & Handbags is much more than a perfect afternoon of shopping and tea,” said Mary Ensor, Development Coordinator, Starlight Florida. “It is about the seriously ill children and families whose lives are touched by Starlight every day. Thanks to this year’s generous sponsors, event attendees and energetic committee, Starlight can continue help seriously ill kids focus with what they do best – be kids.”

Sponsorship support for Hats & Handbags was also provided by Baer’s Furniture, Blue Martini, Broward Health, Floridian Community Bank, Andrew Goldstein Photography, PSAV Presentation Services, Lifestyles Magazines and Best Rental Services.

Tweezerman Spoils Us!

 The letters S-T-A-R-L-I-G-H-T never looked so good! Tweezerman shows off its great in-store setup for its Beautiful Brows for a Beautiful Cause event happening today at SEPHORA's 42nd and Madison Avenue location in NYC. Learn more here - and don't forget to get your hands on Tweezerman's new Reach for the Stars Mini Slant Tweezer and Zip File, benefiting Starlight!

Starbright World - Starlight's online social network for seriously ill teens and their siblings - received a review this week from About.com Asthma blogger Pat Bass. Read it here. 

Starbright World is a virtual hangout where teens (ages 13-20) who have serious medical conditions, and siblings of seriously ill teens, can connect with each other via moderated chat rooms, games, bulletin boards, videos and more. Learn more at www.starbrightworld.org. 

Recently, children undergoing treatment at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO, were given three reasons to smile brighter. Through an ongoing partnership between Colgate-Palmolive Company and Starlight, and with the support of Hy-Vee, three new Starlight Fun Centers were unveiled at the hospital for its pediatric patients.

“When a child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the day-to-day joys of childhood take a back seat to the rigors of treatment and hospitalization,” said Jenny Isaacson, VP Brand Marketing & Communications at Starlight. “Our Fun Centers help ease the isolation and fear children often experience while in the hospital. We’re proud to join Colgate-Palmolive in presenting these new Fun Centers to Children’s Mercy Hospital.”

This year, Colgate-Palmolive celebrated its 21st year of partnering with Starlight. During the more than two-decade partnership, Colgate has donated more than 1,300 Fun Centers and about $8.5 million to Starlight to promote Starlight’s mission and help improve the lives of young patients and their families.

Enjoy, Children's Mercy Hospital - and congratulations!

Clowning Around

This week's Photo of the Week comes to us from our friends at Starlight MidAtlantic. They capture in words the excitement and fun had by Starlight families in Richmond during a recent Great Escape at the circus...

“I am so excited, I am so excited, I am so excited” were the words Christopher shared as he arrived at the circus and placed his red clown nose and wig on for a quick photo. His Mom cheerfully added that he woke up extra early so he could get to the circus as soon as possible. The circus audience knew the Starlight MidAtlantic families by their rainbow clown wigs and red clown noses. The children weren’t the only ones having fun! While wearing his son’s wig to hide his lack of locks, a joyful father told us, “This is the best place to act like a kid again!” As the last pieces of confetti reached the floor there were smiles galore. One Starlight Mom said her children would sleep well tonight — “they were so excited last night that they didn’t fall asleep until 11:20; hopefully they’ll be out by 7:00 tonight!” 

Learn more about Starlight MidAtlantic at www.starlight-midatlantic.org and by following it on Facebook and Twitter.

That’s the question Tweezerman is putting to consumers through its unique partnership with Starlight.

Tweezerman, the Beauty Tool Experts, is pleased to donate $1.00 from the purchase of each Reach For The Stars Mini Slant Tweezer, which will retail for $15 each, and $0.50 from the purchase of each Reach For The Stars Zip File, which will retail for $5 each, in an effort to assist Starlight in brightening the lives of seriously children and their families. The bright pink, youthful patterns adorned on the tools are guaranteed to bring a smile to all who use them.

The Reach For The Stars Mini Slant Tweezer and Reach For The Stars Zip File are available now under the 'Beauty for a Cause' tab at www.tweezerman.com as well as SEPHORA stores nationwide and at www.sephora.com.

Live in the New York Area?

On Friday, May 6, 2011, from noon to 6 p.m., Tweezerman and Starlight invite you stop by Sephora’s 42^nd and Madison Avenue location for its Beautiful Brows For A Beautiful Cause event, part of Sephora’s new Fridays at the Beauty Studio series. Help create buzz around the launch of Tweezerman’s new Reach For The Stars Mini Slant Tweezer and Zip File – and receive a complimentary brow service with award-winning beauty tools and get insider tips and techniques while you’re there! Join us! Visit www.tweezerman.com later this week for more details.

Our PICU and general surgical unit have LOVED having these wonderful Starlight Fun Centers. The little girl in these photos has a Wii at home and said she was so glad we had the Fun Center here so she could play.

The day Lisa (our general surgical child life specialist) took the Fun Center on the unit for the first time, an 11-year-old boy came running out of his room so excited and asked if he could use it first.

This is just one of the heartwarming stories about kids being excited to use the Fun Center in order to help pass the time in the hospital.

Again, thank you so much for this generous gift that will be used by many kids and families for years to come.

With great appreciation,

Tweedie A. Gaines

Last month, smiles and laughter were all part of the plan when the Howard Johnson hotel brand joined with Starlight, other local charities in Tampa, FL,  and team members of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters to host a fun-filled afternoon of face painting, basketball, pizza, story-time and more for 60 children and their families.

Held at the Howard Johnson Plaza Tampa-Downtown, the event was one of four being held around the country this year by the Howard Johnson brand and the Harlem Globetrotters, with the goal of bringing some much deserved happiness to children who need it the most.

“Spreading happiness to others has always been something that both Howard Johnson and the Harlem Globetrotters are very passionate about and that both brands continue to champion whenever possible,” said Rui Barros, brand senior vice president for Howard Johnson. “By working with organizations like Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Center City YMCA, we were able to bring a little bit of joy to the lives of numerous Tampa children.”

As part of the fun, the Howard Johnson hotel was transformed into a real-life “Happy HOJO World,” where the children spent time interacting with members of the Harlem Globetrotters, including “Hi-Lite” Bruton and “Dizzy” Grant. In addition to playing games with the children, the Globetrotters mesmerized them with their signature ball handling wizardry and posed for photos.

The Original Harlem Globetrotters are celebrating their 85th consecutive year of touring the world, continuing a world famous tradition of ball handling wizardry, basketball artistry and one-of-a-kind family entertainment that continues to thrill fans of all ages. Visit www.harlemglobetrotters.com to find out more about the world’s most famous basketball team.

Howard Johnson International, a member of Wyndham Hotel Group’s family of lodging brands, is a global chain of primarily midscale and economy hotels. Learn more by visiting www.hojo.com.

In the Spirit of Earth Day...

A Starlight child shows the world her pretty face at an Earth Day-themed Great Escape for Starlight NY*NJ*CT families.

'Sparkling Starry Soiree'

At Starlight Arizona’s annual Sparkling Starry Soiree on April 9 at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Starlight presented grammy-nominated saxophonist and Starlight Global Ambassador Dave Koz with its 2011 Jim Piccolo Humanitarian Award and Go Daddy and Maracay Homes with Starlight Corporate Champions awards, and raised more than $200,000 to benefit seriously ill children across the state and funds to place two Starlight Fun Center mobile entertainment units at Phoenix Valley-area hospitals. Hosted by KYOT morning show host Melissa Sharpe, the night featured entertainment from Dave Koz, acclaimed jazz artist Jay Soto and his band and Arizona Jazz Institute rising star Neamen Lyles.

Sparkling Starry Soiree Host Melissa Sharpe

Neamen Lyles and Jay Soto

Starlight Global Ambassador and 2011 Jim Piccolo Award Recipient Dave Koz

“I am honored and humbled to accept Starlight Arizona’s 2011 Jim Piccolo Humanitarian Award,” said Dave Koz. “It's kind of weird to accept an 'award' for something that I find such a 'reward' in every way. I love Starlight—its mission, its people and most importantly, its kids...and now even more, I remain 100 percent committed to this wonderful organization.”

Corporate Champion Awards were also given to Go Daddy and Maracay Homes for their support of Starlight Arizona programs. Recently, Go Daddy provided funding for a Starlight Site care room at the Arizona Children’s Center at Maricopa Medical Center. This past holiday season, Maracay Homes generated thousands of toy donations for hospitals across the state with its Fill Our House With Love holiday toy drive campaign. Additionally, Maracay Homes has sponsored Starlight Great Escapes events at the Phoenix Zoo for hundreds of seriously ill children and their families.

Corporate Champion Awards - Go Daddy & Maracay Homes

Sparkling Starry Soiree concluded with a live auction that included exclusive items such as backstage concert entertainment packages with jazz musician Dave Koz, a Dave Koz Friends at Sea 2012 European Cruise, private dinner packages and opportunities to dine at the Chef’s Table at Tarbell’s Restaurant and Sapporo Restaurant.

“Last year, Starlight Arizona touched the lives of more than 72,000 seriously ill children and their families across the state,” said Starlight Southwest Region Director Jo Ann Yeo. “We know the success of this year’s Sparkling Starry Soiree will help us provide so many more children with Starlight’s entertainment, education and family activities.”

Artwork by Starlight child

Sparkling Starry Soiree was co-chaired by Bill Heywood and Blythe Sweeney of Maracay Homes. Delicious cuisine was donated by Radisson Resort Fort McDowell, Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, Renegade Canteen and Pacific Seafood.

For more photo highlights from the evening, please click here. 

Starlight Florida is pleased to host its 6th annual Hats & Handbags Tea at Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa in Hallandale Beach on Sunday, May 1. 

Presented by Rick Case Automotive Group and hosted by CBS4 Neighbors4Neighbors reporter Nicole Maristany, the Tea festivities will begin with a boutique sale where guests can pick up an array of unique custom-made accessories for their spring and summer wardrobes, including handbags, jewelry, shoes and home goods, and feature fabulous food, scrumptious teas and live youth entertainment from up-and-coming teen singer Joshua Grosso of American Heritage High School.

Companies and tea lovers interested in sponsoring or participating in this year’s Tea should call 954-318-2178 or log onto www.starlight.org/florida/tea2011 for additional information and ticket sales. Tickets are $50 a person or $475 for a table of ten. Seating is limited.

Hats & Handbags is already creating quite a buzz! Read what South Florida's Sun Sentinel newspaper and Lifestyles Magazine have to say.

“Buckingham Palace cordially invites you to…

…stay the heck away from the royal wedding.”

Only about 1,900 invites went out for the big day at Westminster Abbey, which begins at 6 a.m. EST on April 29. However, for those of us who are left with nothing to do that Friday, there is still hope – especially if you live in Atlanta.

Starlight cordially invites you to celebrate the nuptials of Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton  at the British Consulate General in Atlanta’s 'A Royal Wedding Celebration,' benefiting Starlight Georgia.

Enjoy a black-tie dinner and dance with live music by Shimmer Entertainment, exclusive bridal fashions from Monique Lhuillier, Royal Wedding video highlights provided by CNN, and MC Bert Weiss from Q100's The Bert Show.

To purchase tickets and tables or learn more, please click here.

One Bauble at a Time!

Always fresh and up to date with the latest fashion trends, Sophia and Chloe jewelry designs, named after the daughters of its designer Nathalie Sherman, is edgy and chic, while at the same time elegant and timeless. With every piece of jewelry she makes, Nathalie balances current trends with her ultimate goal: to create jewelry that enhances a woman’s features and brings to her a measure of good will.

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Sophia & Chloe invites you to shop its collection and help support the important work of Starlight!

Simply use the code STARLIGHT at www.sophiaandchloe.com between April17 and May 8, and 30 percent of all Sophia and Chloe sales will be happily donated to Starlight to help brighten the world for seriously ill children and their families.

Browse Sophia and Chloe’s collection of elegant earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and belts at www.sophiaandchloe.com.

“I have enjoyed the challenge of creating Sophia and Chloe jewelry designs,” says Nathalie. “I find great inspiration from all the living, hoping, laughing, giving, perservering, playing, praying and loving that we all do here together. Starlight exemplifies the kindness, generosity and dedication that are in keeping with the spirit of the Sophia and Chloe line, and I hope you take as much pleasure in wearing and giving these pieces as I have in designing them.”

HAPPY SHOPPING!

WIN A SET OF SOPHIA AND CHLOE BAUBLES!

Are your wrists itching for a little sparkle?

Sophia and Chloe has two sets of baubles to give away. Enter to win a set by subscribing to Sophia and Chloe’s mailing list. Visit www.sophiaandchloe.com and find the ‘Join Our Mailing List’ tab at the bottom of the webpage.

Increase your chances of winning by making a purchase during Sophia and Chloe’s Mother’s Day sales event, benefiting Starlight. Simply using the code STARLIGHT at checkout to automatically receive five contest entries.

Winners’ names will be drawn on May 9.

Good luck!

Want to get involved with Starlight? For more information about Starlight's volunteer program, please visit www.starlight.org/volunteer.

Starlight Midwest celebrates...

Kristy Hoffman

Chicago, IL

By Meredith Stadel, Development Manager, Starlight Midwest

Starlight Midwest is thrilled and proud to recognize and applaud long-time volunteer and Starlight Midwest Young Executive Stars (YES) Board President, Kristine (Kristy) Hoffman. 

For Kristy, volunteering has always been a way of life. When she moved to Chicago in 2008, she once again acted on her desire to give back and capitalized on her drive to make a difference. Kristy quickly began volunteering with Starlight by serving on a Special Events Committee.

In 2009, Starlight Midwest founded its YES board and Kristy volunteered to serve a leadership role. She was immediately nominated by one of her peers for the role of YES Board President. In her first year as the inaugural president, Kristy successfully led the YES board in exceeding their fundraising goal and recruited countless new friends to the Starlight family.

After two years, Kristy continues to play a critical role in the YES board’s success, continuously looking for new and innovative ways to grow and lead this group of outstanding volunteers and incorporating best practices from many sources. For example, she has participated in group projects with Kellogg MBA students to brainstorm new and innovative ways to engage the YES board members.

While serving as founding President of the YES Board since 2009, Kristy also serves on various Special Event Committees.

“We are grateful for Kristy’s commitment and dedication to Starlight,” says Sonya D. Naar, President, Board of Directors, Starlight Midwest. “She brings energy and passion to all that she does and for this we are immensely thankful.”

In the last three years, Kristy has gone above and beyond the call of volunteerism, personally committing herself to brightening the lives of seriously ill children and making a lasting difference in countless lives across the Midwest. Honoring Kristy during volunteer week is only a small way to thank her for those tireless efforts.

Starlight Northwest celebrates…

Laurie Argent

Pickering, Ontario, Canada

By Sarah Wight, Volunteer Coordinator, Starlight Canada

“It is hard to form the right words to explain exactly what Starlight means to me, but I’ll try. The satisfaction of seeing a child smile, having parents overcome with gratitude for some 'good times,' and being the organizer for such exhilarating moments is priceless. To be allowed the opportunity to witness these great moments seems like a greater payment than the work I put out. I love every moment that I am involved with Starlight, from the administrative/custodial duties, to the sales/fundraising component, right down to helping a function run smoothly for our donors and families.” -Laurie

For nearly 10 years, Laurie Argent has been a dedicated Starlight Canada volunteer who goes above and beyond to get involved in every thing she can.

Laurie is a trained Wish Granter, but can often be found assisting with our annual Toy Drive, Great Escapes, photography, fundraising, administration and even custodial duties. She is keen on doing anything and everything she can to lend a helping hand.

Within our office, every person not only knows who Laurie is, but they all have a great story about her. Unfortunately, though, many of her fellow volunteers could never even point her out to you - she plays Starry so often it’s sometimes hard to recognize her!

Fortunately for us, though, Laurie plays the very best Starry.

“I know Starry will be a huge hit whenever Laurie is at our events,” says Starlight Canada Great Escapes Coordinator Rebecca Assaly: “She’s so good at it. The kids just laugh and laugh!”

The only thing Laurie has yet to master is playing Starry without actually smiling inside the costume. So far, she hasn’t been able to help herself and always has a very sore mouth afterwards!

Even more importantly Laurie has demonstrated to us on numerous occasions that she is a natural leader. We know we can trust her problem-solving abilities and can rely on her to make new volunteers feel comfortable and inspire others around her to be the best they can be. She is an inspirational person to work with and consistently puts the needs of Starlight families first.

Starlight Canada’s Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Wight says, “Laurie had been volunteering with Starlight for a very long time when I began working here and she was definitely one of the first names I began to remember. I noticed very quickly that no matter what type of task we needed assistance with, she was always among the first to respond. Her enthusiasm is contagious; she is a real pleasure!”

Laurie’s enthusiasm is certainly evident throughout her interactions with Starlight families during the Wish Granting process. For Laurie’s first wish, she was introduced to a 12-year-old girl who wanted a computer. Unfortunately, Laurie learned the computer would be delivered while the young girl was hospitalized, so the delivery wouldn’t carry the surprise impact her family had hoped for. To make up for it, Laurie went out of her way to host a surprise party for the girl filled with balloons, laughter, cake and, of course, the young girl’s favorite ice cream - cookie dough! Laurie had such an impact on this Wish Child that six years later, she contacted Laurie to tell her some great news: she had graduated high school and was now on her way to university!

Another great bonus is that along with Laurie comes her 5-year-old son, Andrew! Andrew often accompanies Laurie to Great Escapes events, not to partake in the festivities himself, but to work alongside his mom. It’s so touching to see the two of them working together and how much Andrew has already learned about the value of brightening the spirits of others.

We are so grateful to Laurie for remaining a dedicated Starlight Canada volunteer for nearly a decade and look forward to many more years of working with her!

Starlight Northwest celebrates…

Terri Czapinski

Woodinvile, WA

By Tami Gibb, Volunteer Coordinator, Starlight Northwest

Terri Czapinski resides with her daughter in Woodinville, Washington. She is a native of the state, and resided for many years in the San Francisco Bay Area before returning home. 

Terri has been an administrative assistant for her entire career and works for a large software company – so her experience made it only natural to approach her to become Starlight Northwest’s official “Santa Scheduler” for its Santa for Starlight program in 2009. Starlight Northwest’s Santa for Starlight program gives local companies, day care centers, private homes, etc. the opportunity to “hire” Santas (and a few Mrs. Clauses) for holiday parties. The Santas visit with everyone, pass out gifts, pose for photos, sing holiday songs and read holiday stories. Many hours go into the program, generating a sizeable sum of money for Starlight Northwest. 

That year, Terri set up and confirmed 16 Santas for more than 75 events scheduled for the months of November and December.

Two years later, she remains Starlight Northwest’s celebrated Santa Scheduler.

She says, “It takes a team of folks to make Santa for Starlight successful - from Santa Rich who works with our Santa volunteers on becoming the best Santa ever, to Pat who receives the initial requests, to me, who does all the scheduling. It thrills me when I receive thank you emails from our clients telling me how wonderful their party was and how much they loved Santa! …And the greatest feeling is knowing that Starlight children and families are benefitting from it all.”

Good at what she does, it was only natural – once again – for Starlight Northwest to approach Teri for help with its Oscar® Night America annual fundraiser. For the past two years, Terri has assisted with the event’s registration responsibilities: checking people in, garnering payment information and making sure all goes smoothly as guests arrive.

“I cannot tell you how thankful Starlight has been for Terri and the hours she has shared with us,” says Pat Cramer, Starlight Northwest Office Manager. “She is a gem and we are so grateful for her!”

Starlight New England celebrates…

Meagan Usseglio

Watertown, MA

By Kelly Duda, Sr. Manager of Program Services, Starlight New England

Meagan Usseglio joined the Starlight New England team in January 2010 as our Program Services Intern - and has remained an avid volunteer ever since!

At the start of her internship, Meagan was a second semester senior at Curry College in Milton, MA, majoring in Child Youth and Community with a concentration in Community Education and a minor in Communications.

Even while carrying a full course load, participating as a member of the Curry Dance Step Team, working part-time at a child care center and having a student teaching internship –Meagan still managed to make her internship with Starlight a priority!

As an intern, Meagan consistently delivered high quality work and demonstrated an outstanding dedication to serving our children and families. She had an amazing sense of teamwork and was always willing to help wherever we needed her – whether it was entering online bids during the silent auction at our annual Purses & Pearls fundraiser or working with community partners and families to coordinate ice skate sizes for an upcoming Great Escape. It delighted us that Meagan always approached each task she was given with the same amount of enthusiasm.

After Meagan’s first Great Escape with Starlight, we received an email from a family acknowledging how delightful it was to meet Meagan:

Good Morning-

We just wanted to thank you for the wonderful event last evening. We had a blast, and a Red Sox win in the end. I want to compliment you on your terrific staff and volunteers who always make the Starlight events so special. I would like to recognize Meagan Usseglio on her extreme friendliness and professionalism, which makes her a welcomed addition to your Starlight family. The work that you all do for our children is so greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

A Starlight Family

We are fortunate to have many wonderful volunteers, but it is very rare to have a family recognize a specific volunteer by name!

After graduating in May 2010, Meagan has continued to volunteer with Starlight New England. With a small staff, we have truly come to rely on her to step in and help out at fundraising events, hand out tickets at Day Brighteners, coordinate and help staff Great Escapes and help out in the office. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful Starlight ambassador!

Meagan, we appreciate your time, talent and energy and look forward to working with you for years to come!

Starlight New England celebrates…

Jean Free

Boston, MA

By Kelly Duda, Sr. Manager of Program Services, Starlight New England

After thirty years of teaching kindergarten and first grade, Jean Free found herself retired and looking for the right volunteer opportunity. She wanted to continue to use her time and talent to serve children and families.

Fortunately for us, Jean began volunteering for Starlight New England in early September 2008 – and found her niche!

Jean got her start by helping us with our Great Escapes events, eventually becoming Starlight New England’s “resident crafting expert!” Whenever we need a new, innovative idea for an upcoming Great Escape, we can always count on Jean to come up with the perfect-themed craft to share with families.

The way Jean interacts and connects with children and families is just beautiful. She sets an example for all other volunteers on how to appropriately engage children of all ages and focus on what makes Great Escapes so special – helping families relax, recharge and enjoy themselves!

But it doesn’t stop there…

Jean has also single-handedly revived Starlight New England’s Hospital Happening program. Working closely with child life specialists and hospital staff, Jean has strengthened partnerships between Starlight and its local hospitals and is a regular Hospital Happening party host herself at key Boston-area hospitals. We can always count on Jean to come up with fun, creative and engaging crafts for pediatric patients at Shriners Hospital for Children, Mass General Hospital and Boston Medical Center.

At Day Brighteners, Jean arrives to greet Starlight New England families and hand out tickets. On those days leading up to our annual winter holiday Great Escape, you can find Jean wrapping gifts. Whenever our office needs a helping hand, Jean arrives with open arms.

Jean is incredibly thoughtful, dedicated and generous, and we are so fortunate to have such a stellar volunteer!

Jean, you are TRULY a gift to Starlight New England.

Starlight MidAtlantic celebrates...

Evon Banks

Washington D.C.

by Barbara Schreiber, Executive Director, Starlight MidAtlantic

“The amount of energy and enthusiasm Evon brings to Starlight MidAtlantic is out of this world. When she steps into a room, the faces of our children and families instantly brighten and they know with certainty that they have a fun day ahead." -Farrah Pasdar, Family Programs Coordinator

“When Evon is there, everybody smiles.” -Starlight Insider

A mother of one, Starlight MidAtlantic Volunteer “Miss Evon” considers each Starlight child a member of her extended family. She adopted the Starlight MidAtlantic family years ago because she loves being part of an activity that gives a child joy.

As a volunteer at nearly every Great Escapes event, Miss Evon helps with everything from checking in families and distributing tickets, to pumping up the crowd with group cheers and dancing. At outreach events, Miss Evon educates others about Starlight’s mission, and at fundraisers she’s quick to make friends with everyone around her.

Miss Evon enjoys working with and around people who like helping others. She describes volunteering as a choice rather than a job, and says she gets as much out of Starlight events as the families do.

“Without love and family, what do you have?” Miss Evon asks.

Starlight MidAtlantic makes love and happiness a reality and her extended Starlight family makes her complete.

Starlight MidAtlantic in Philadelphia celebrates...

Kristin Tabilas

Philadelphia, PA

By Cathy Link, Great Escapes Coordinator, Philadelphia

“She helps make a GREAT ESCAPE even GREATER. She makes Starlight MidAtlantic an even better organization.” -Heather and Brian, Starlight MidAtlantic Parents

“Kristin is always there with a hug.” -Starlight Insider

In so many ways, Starlight MidAtlantic Volunteer Kristin Tabilas is the heart of our Philadelphia-area Great Escapes program. She has almost an innate understanding of what these events mean to Starlight families.

Since 2008, Kristin has brightened the lives of families as a volunteer at 18 Great Escapes! Starlight parents tell us, “when you see [Kristin] at a Great Escapes event, you know you will have a good time.”

Kristin is unrelenting in accommodating our children, although she believes volunteering is more rewarding for her than the kids.

Whether she’s recruiting friends, family, and colleagues to volunteer or offering corporate tickets to events, Kristin always has Starlight MidAtlantic on her mind and a smile on her face. Kristin’s employer, Penn Mutual Life Insurance, shared her enthusiasm and chose Starlight MidAtlantic as its 2010 Charity of the Year, which resulted in additional volunteers and a contribution of $19,000, supporting 9 Great Escapes.

What makes Kristin exceptional is her ability to make the person she is speaking to feel as if he/she is the single most important person in the world. Kristin is a HUGE STAR in the eyes of Starlight children, families, and staff alike!

Starlight California in San Francisco celebrates...

Sara Lossett

San Franscisco, CA

by Sara

When I was seven, I underwent back surgery. I had a severe case of scoliosis and it was imperative that I had surgery to correct it. I had to wear a complete back and neck brace. It was challenging being a child in school with such a major disability. I felt isolated from all the other children. It wasn’t until my membership with Starlight Children’s Foundation that I felt some relief. It was comforting to be around other children and families going through and feeling similar things. Starlight helped ease the pressure and stress my disability caused my family. It also gave us a break from constant doctor appointments. Starlight gave me confidence in myself.

Growing up as a Starlight child, I attended many fun Starlight Great Escapes, fundraisers and galas. Years ago, thanks to Starlight’s former wish program, I had the chance to choose one thing that I wanted the most in my life - and within a week I was the proud owner of an adorable puppy. I decided to name her “Halo” after my back brace because the brace came up above my head, forming what looked like a halo. Halo represented the difficult times I went through and how I was able to overcome them.

When I turned 20 years old, I filled out an application to become a Starlight volunteer. I wanted to give back to Starlight for all it did for me and my family. While I attend college as an event planning major, I continue to grow with the foundation by volunteering for its Great Escapes program in San Francisco. I completely enjoy helping Starlight plan Great Escapes. These events  give seriously ill children a break from the isolation and pain of their sickness or disability.

Even after I graduate from college I know where I'll be - involved with Starlight.

Starlight California in Los Angeles celebrates…

Jeff Weichman

Santa Monica, CA

By Joan Ford, VP Regions and Programs, Starlight Global Office

One day, Jeff Weichman appeared at Starlight like a gift on a doorstep. A friend called me and said she had a friend who wanted to volunteer because he felt helping sick children was important.

I noticed right away that Jeff was sweet, gentle, nice, bright and professional. I felt like he could have been doing anything with his life and here he was - sitting in a cubicle, stuffing envelopes and entering names in our database one day a week. Not the most fulfilling work for a former USC football player, but super helpful to us.

A week or two after Jeff started, I realized the guy knew everyone in the office by name, knew everything that was going on and was part of the family. He began lending a hand at several of our Great Escapes here in Los Angeles and, in time, would even attend our office winter holiday party, heretofore unknown for a volunteer, because he’s so much a part of the team.

When Jeff heard that I was in the middle of organizing Starlight’s very first A Stellar Night thank you and cultivation event – and in need of someone to set up a sound system - he volunteered to help. Turns out he is a musician and a professional sound engineer. Jeff arrived at the event early, with me, unloaded all the heavy stuff from my car, and despite the 12-hour day, stayed to the very end and loaded the heavy stuff back into my car while I thanked guests.

I couldn’t believe this guy. Who does that?

Now every time I have an event, Jeff is there. He’s always the first one in and the last one out.

One day, he came in and said he was having a photo exhibit to benefit Starlight. There was a restaurant near his house that regularly had exhibits and he had been bugging them for months to let him exhibit his photos as a benefit for Starlight. Again, I was stunned at his generosity. I also had no idea he was a photographer.

Jeff is always full of good surprises.

However, when it comes to jokes…

Jeff has become our office jokester. He shares jokes with staff on a regular basis - albeit bad - but still manages to spread cheer from cubicle to cubicle.

He doesn’t just bring his goodness to Starlight. He also volunteers at Painted Turtle camp for sick children and for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. How he manages it all I don’t know, but I always envision him telling them his jokes, too.

Kidding aside, I thank goodness for Jeff everyday. There is no job too big, icky, dirty, boring or tedious for him. He is also the most decent, kindest human being I have ever met. He is smart, insightful, and Starlight’s good friend. And I am lucky enough to call him mine as well. 

Starlight Texas in Dallas celebrates…

Christi Wren 

Dallas, TX

By Mark Ford, Community Development Officer, Starlight Texas

Christi Wren has a heart as big as Texas. 

As an instructor at the Art Institute of Dallas, she is determined to help young people reach their dreams to become successful designers, and as an active community volunteer, she demonstrates a unique level of compassion and care through hours of volunteer service with Starlight Texas.

For four years, since joining our Starlight Texas Leadership Council, she has been a very active volunteer and contributor. Christi has participated in fundraisers, toy drives and Great Escapes. She chaired last year’s Starlight Holiday Tea in Dallas, which raised more than $20,000. Her family has sponsored Starlight Fun Centers in Abilene (to “serve the kids near my hometown”) and Dallas (“so my sons will understand how important it is to help those in need”) and most recently, her support extended far south to Laredo for the Women’s City Club Starlight Tea. 

Christi lives about 450 miles north of Laredo, but when she heard that Starlight children in Laredo would be the “judges” for the event’s iron-chef style cooking competition, she enlisted support from the Art Institute’s Chef Instructor Steven Pilat and they went to work creating personalized chef jackets for each child. We know this task took many hours because Christi literally reconstructed the jackets to ensure a proper fit and she personalized each one by stitching on the event’s logo and each child’s name. 

According to Christi, “[Starlight kids] need to feel special and we’re going to make it happen.”  She did, and they did!  Each child sat a little taller at the judges table wearing their official jacket. 

Christi is an exemplary, can-do leader. No task is too small or too great and she demonstrates 100 percent commitment to our families. She is a great ambassador for Starlight, engaging friends and family to help and though she is always busy with her career and her family, she is never too busy to help with any task for Starlight.

Starlight Texas in Houston celebrates…

The Rashti-Horitz family - comprised of parents Paul and Denise and their children, Sarah and Jake - approached me in the summer of 2010 to learn about volunteer opportunities with Starlight Houston. Sarah was about to have her Bat Mitvah and she and her parents were looking for a service organization to join where the entire family could take part.

I was a bit nervous about having young volunteers, but Denise assured me that her children were very mature and that I wouldn't be disappointed - she was absolutely right.

Sarah and Jake are two of the most giving and caring young people I have met. Sarah, who is quite the baker, regularly makes delicious desserts for our Starlight families, including Rice Krispies treats, cookies, and lemon bars. Jake is always ready to assist our Starlight kids by starting up a game of baseball or soccer or just helping out wherever he can.

On top of the assistance they provide at every Starlight event, the Rashti-Horitz siblings went above and beyond this year to organize an amazingly successful toy drive. Jake created a flyer for school and the family’s local gym and was able to collect more than 70 games and many cash donations.

Aside from their countless hours volunteering, the Rashti-Horitz family has also generously donated financially to Starlight’s Great Escapes program in Houston. Paul, who is the Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging Medical Director at our nearby University of Texas Heath Science Center, is even working on a special “day-at-the-office" themed Day Brightener where Starlight kids will be able join him at his job to see how certain medical machines work and to learn more about medicine.

Sometimes, I wonder how I did it without the Rashti-Horitz family…

Paul, Denise, Sarah and Jake have been a true blessing to our Starlight kids and families and I cannot thank them enough for all that they do.

Starlight Florida celebrates...

Christy Hertsch

Pembroke Pines, FL

By Amy Kerlin, Manager of Program Services, Starlight Florida

What would we do without Christy Herstch?

Christy has volunteered for Starlight in South Florida since 2003. Her enthusiasm and dedication is contagious. Whether Christy is at a Great Escape creating crafts, making lemonade, playing games or registering families, she always has a smile on her face and is willing to help with any task.

She always arrives early and stays late and is famous for asking “is there anything else you need help with?”

Not only does Christy rarely miss volunteering at a Great Escape, she is an asset to our resource committee. She always comes to meetings with great ideas and helps with so many projects and tasks. She thinks of every detail that’s involved when planning an event and helping to make our families feel special. In addition to the leadership she provides to our resource committee, Christy has also served on the committee for Starlight Florida’s Hats and Handbags tea, one of our largest fundraisers of the year.

Christy has such a caring heart and is so kind to our families. We couldn’t imagine a Starlight Florida without her! 

Watch this video we put together for our special friend. 

At Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Starlight Texas unveiled two Fun Centers for young patients and was joined by friends from public relations agency GolinHarris. The Fun Centers were placed in GolinHarris' honor as a way to say thanks for all its done in the past year to build awareness for Starlight Texas events and programs across the state.

"We are touched by Starlight’s recognition of our team and the honor that has been bestowed on us,” said Ginger Porter, managing director of GolinHarris Texas. “More importantly, we are grateful to have the opportunity to share Starlight across the state in hopes of giving some childhood fun to these seriously ill children in our Texas community.”

During the unveiling, GolinHarris team members visited with patients and their families to see the Fun Centers in action and experience the kids’ enthusiasm about the new additions to their daily activities.

“We are so grateful to Starlight and GolinHarris for the gift they have made to our patients,” said Stephanie Brigger, vice president of Development at TSRHC. “As a pediatric orthopedic hospital, we understand the importance of providing the highest quality medical care to the children treated here, but also know that their happiness is a large part of keeping them healthy; and these Fun Centers will help accomplish that.”

Meanwhile, in Rockville, Maryland, a three-year-old patient from Shady Grove Adventist Hospital lifted a purple sheet for a great surprise – yup, another Fun Center! – sponsored by Starlight MidAtlantic, Colgate Palmolive and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy.

“Our patients and families love the Fun Center," said Peggy Brooke, Child Life Specialist with Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. The Nintendo Wii and movies will distract patients from their illness and pain, and provide an opportunity for those who are too sick to go to the playroom to have fun during their hospital stay.”

Pictures prove that smiles were contagious during the Fun Center's dedication ceremony. 

Just another great week in the life of Starlight…

Over the last several months, UC and Crohn’s has received a collection of new stories from its teen community. The stories are compelling and share the experiences of teens living with IBD from all over the country.

"[I] got blood tests, CAT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and other procedures," member Stephanie explains in her story. "I finally had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy that showed ulcers and they diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. I thought it was cancer until they explained to me."

Stephanie is just one of the many teens on UC and Crohn's who are using the website as a vehicle to share their story. The site also offers a place for teens to share tips with one another or ask questions using the site’s Ask the Expert feature. 

To read the incredible stories submitted to the UC and Crohn's website, similar to Stephanie’s story above, go to: www.ucandcrohns.org/my_story.php?c=3. 

And if you know of a teen suffering with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, please refer them to www.ucandcrohns.org. 

At our annual gala, Starlight presented long-time philanthropists Kathy, Paris and Nicky Hilton with our 2011 Heart of Gold Award and Do Won Chang, Founder/C.E.O. of Forever 21, Inc., with our 2011 Jacki Carlish Humanitarian Award.

“I am so honored that Starlight is presenting my sister, my mother and me with its Heart of Gold Award tonight,” said Nicky Hilton. “The award recognizes those who have big hearts and have supported Starlight in improving the quality of life for young people. Recently, my family invited several Starlight families to our home to help them forget their worries for a little while. We had such a fun time together – playing games, having lunch - and it was nice to see the children that afternoon smile and play and laugh. The event we hosted at our home was an experience I’ll never forget.”

“I am honored to receive Starlight’s Jacki Carlish Humanitarian Award,” said Do Won Chang. “[Forever 21] worked with Starlight last holiday season to sell bracelets with the message ‘give to love, love to give.’ Like it says in the bible in 1 John 3:18: ‘Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.’ In a world with so much tragedy, especially now in Japan, I pray that each of us will do our part to help those that are in need. Thank you Starlight for this great honor and thank you to God for his many blessings.’

Co-hosted by Jenni Pulos, from Bravo’s Flipping Out, and Bailee Madison, actress from Just Go With It, A Stellar Night showcased inspirational stories from Starlight families and paid tribute to humanitarians who are helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation.

The night also included a live performance from former Starlight Child and cancer survivor Zacharia and a moving story from Starlight Mom Lela about her son Marcelo. Diagnosed with the rare brain cancer Medulablastoma, Marcelo was rendered blind when he was just 7 years old. The cancer also impaired his motor skills on the left side of his body. Lela told the crowd, “With Starlight’s help, our little Richard Pryor is finally coming out of his shell in public and starting to return to his old self. People have really noticed a difference — where he used to be completely withdrawn, now he’ll crack jokes and go on and on about his experiences with Starlight.”

More than 100 young guests, who included Starlight children and their siblings and the children and grandchildren of A Stellar Night attendees, spent the evening in the gala's Kids’ Lounge, which was this year sponsored by Nintendo of America, Inc. Accompanied by more than 20 StarPower Ambassadors, the young crowd played carnival-themed games and videogames, had their pictures taken, did arts and crafts and made karma bracelets for seriously ill children. Best-selling author and Starlight Global Ambassador Tony DiTerlizzi and Starlight Spokesperson Corbin Bleu also gave kids a special treat with a live reading of Tony’s latest book, The Search for Wondla.

Co-chaired by Starlight board member and Variety publisher Brian Gott, A Stellar Night 2011 was presented by California Pizza Kitchen and Nintendo of America Inc. Other sponsors included: Michaels Stores, Inc., Bickerstaff Family Foundation, Vivendi, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Forever 21, The Walt Disney Company, Wyndham Worldwide, Insomniac Games, Kaye Scholer LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, Lisa & Kevin Mayer and Morrison & Foerster LLP.

Starlight NY*NJ*CT honored Lynn Carter, President of Capital One Bank at its 26th Annual Gala on March 16 at the Marriot Marquis Hotel in New York City. The event was a huge success and raised nearly 1.2 million dollars.  Guests danced to the music of Billy Joel cover band Big Shot throughout the night and also heard a moving speech from Starlight Mom Amelia Meza. Her touching story brought the crowd to their feet for a standing ovation.

Celebrity guests included Cindy Barshop, the newest housewife to join The Real Housewives of NYC, David Gregory , Josh Kelly and Shenaz Treasurywala from One Life to Live, Terri Conn from As the World Turns and Janet Dacal and Darren Ritchie from the new Broadway show Wonderland. 

Press included WABC-Eyewitness News, Soap Opera Weekly magazine, and New York Social Diary.

On Friday, February 4, 2011, Starlight Midwest hosted “The Great-est Escape” at Chicago’s Hard Rock Hotel. The event allowed Chicagoans to escape the brutal blizzard while funding Starlight Great Escape™ events for ill children. 

The Fender Ballroom was filled with fun games, prizes, food, drink, music and most importantly 150 energetic guests. Escape Zones allowed guests to compete in fun, competitive games or to unwind and relax. The Zones included a beach with a diamond dig, a carnival with a wine toss, Wii sports and a spa with chair massages and paraffin treatments. Each Zone was complimented by a silent auction with tempting prizes ranging from Chicago Blackhawks tickets to a boat cruise on Lake Michigan with dinner for four.

Special guest Ozzie Guillén, Chicago White Sox manager, spoke about what helping children in need means to him and the impact of Starlight. His passion resonated in the hearts of guests. Ozzie then tested his skills at Wii baseball and posed with guests for once-in-a-lifetime pictures. 

The Great-est Escape provided an escape both for guests and for the more than 300,000 children and family members that Starlight Midwest impacts each year. With the support of generous donors and Ozzie Guillén, Starlight raised nearly $15,000 at the event, which will allow Starlight to continue to improve the lives of seriously ill children and their families throughout the Midwest.

Insomniac Games' Craig Goodman shares the story of his daughter, Isabeau, to illustrate the reality of what a family goes through when it has a young child in the hospital... and says THANKS to those who stayed by his family through its joys and pains

The dark hospital room is filled with blinking lights and poles with pumps pushing medicines through plastic tubes into babies.

It is Christmas Morning 2007, and looking down we can see our newborn daughter's heart and lungs through a thin yellow film. She is just eight days old and recovering from her first open heart surgery.

Doctors cannot close her football-shaped chest incision until the internal swelling goes down, and so there she lies.

So small. So new. Her golden heart exposed to the world for five days.

We hear that it is time. Isabeau's first Christmas present will be a bright new scar healing on her chest and we cry with joy. I remember back when our main concern was: will the scar be big?

We had already spent months living in the hospital - some days hoping Isabeau would just live through the night, some days watching the bed under her turn red from the blood that seeped out her neck.

She would go on to endure so much. Twenty eight therapies a month. Eighteen syringes of medication a day. A foot-long tube in her nose and stomach so she could be fed with a syringe. An elevated body every time she slept to keep stomach acid from burning her esophagus. A helmet to reshape her flattened head. Specialists for her bent spine. More specialists for her misaligned teeth. Even more specialists for hearing tests and a dozen intelligence tests. A second heart surgery. A third.

There were times we’d watch Isabeau get wheeled into surgery and say, ‘See you in a few hours,’ not knowing whether our parting words would become a lie.

Another time, we watched our daughter's life reduced to plummeting numbers on a monitor and nearly cease as nurses and doctors said, '”It's an acute desat -- probably a blood clot keeping blood from entering her lungs -- we can't fix this in time.”

And through all that she survived and we survived because of the strength and the care of doctors and nurses who sometimes remained anonymous strangers to us.

During these times, the world can become unbearably dark and isolating. It felt like the entire universe had conspired to steal our dreams of a happy family. It felt like every doctor’s visit brought more bad news of things that were wrong with our daughter, how she’ll never be like “typical” little girl and how we’d have to work even harder to keep her alive. But it was through the smallest kindnesses of others that we pushed forward.

When you live in a hospital, you sleep on vinyl chairs called 'beds' under thin sheets and go through the most emotionally-naked moments of your life half-dressed and ten feet from a noisy nurse’s station in a room with three other crying heart babies. You try to be awake and intelligent enough when the doctors finally make rounds. Your hair is sideways. Your face is flat and red from the vinyl pillow. You’re not even running on two hours of sleep because of attempted feedings every two hours that last an hour and a half each. And if you don't sound coherent and ask intelligent questions, then doctors will dumb down their news and you will learn nothing. And if you learn nothing, then your daughter's chances go down.

Night becomes day and day becomes night in hospital hallways that are always lit. Every few days, you go home to get new clothes and on the drive back you suddenly find yourself in sobbing tears on the freeway until you arrive at the hospital, park your car and go up to “The Room” looking happy and optimistic for your tiny baby.

But it is horror.

During our first surgery, we got to know four babies. Half of them didn't make it.

It is very real horror. It is every hour of every day and it never, ever goes away.

“Hospital families” show the outside world our happy faces. We will let you believe the movies about sick kids and the inner strength that it builds in parents, but it is all a cover. Inside we are shattered and exhausted. Broken and often just getting by. Tired of worrying and working five times harder than other parents just to keep your kid from falling so far behind they could never catch up. Tired of hoping your daughter will live long enough to have a first kiss.

I remember when we first saw Isabeau covered in tubes and wires and tape. My wife and I were so happy and sad. We just held each other shaking and crying softly. That day, a CT-ICU nurse quietly placed a gift of tissues near us and they seemed to shine like a ray of light. Weeks later, a donated Radio Flyer wagon let Isabeau tour the hallways outside her hospital room, smiling as sunlight fell on her face for the very first time, her O2 tank and med pumps and monitors in tow. After her third surgery, a volunteer's quirky sense of humor made my daughter grin and walk, allowing the long tubes sticking out of her belly and chest to drain fluid from around her lungs so she could breath.

It still brings me to tears thinking back to all the moments that were given to us.

And this is exactly what Starlight does - they bring those rare moments of relief that keep you alive inside so you can go on another day for your kid. Starlight shows hospital families they are not alone, that there is a world outside the hospital, that there will be a tomorrow and to just keep trying one more day.

Isabeau is three years old now - 1,153 days. She recently saw Starlight in action when my boss Ted Price of Insomniac Games placed a new Starlight Fun Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and helped cut the ribbon as best a three year old can.

Since it began its partnership with Starlight, Insomniac Games has placed five Fun Centers at several hospitals in Southern California. As makers of video games, it is especially rewarding to give these games to the kids who need them the most. 

After the dedication ceremony at CHLA, I showed Ted and Angel Montanez, AVP of Corporate Sponsorships at Starlight’s Global Office, around the hospital while sharing Isabeau's story, floor by floor.

They were amazed by our experiences. Ted wondered how we survived and I told him flatly - with the love and support of amazing people, most of whom were strangers.

And we had it easy. Some kids never go home. Some have dozens of surgeries. Some never leave their wheelchair. Some have no cure.

We want to thank those doctors and tireless nurses for never giving up hope, for never ceasing to inspire us even when they faced the difficult task of telling us the hard truths. They are simply amazing people who do the impossible every day.

I also want to thank Insomniac Games and Ted for all of the other little things that changed our life and allowed Isabeau to survive and excel. For letting me work at home for months so I could attend her therapies and not bring common but deadly viruses home from work. For not blinking when we need to rush Izzy to the Emergency Department (again) or when we have a full day of appointments. For when I have one of my “bad days” and the emotions I've repressed rush back into my mind and I need to go somewhere for an hour and curl up and shake as I helplessly replay those falling numbers on the monitor.

“Just live, baby. Just live,” I’d tell her at those moments.

Thank you. You guys are wonderful in ways you don't even know.

Finally, we want to thank Starlight on behalf of those families they have helped and can’t thank them themselves. You change lives. You make a difference.

Thank you.

-Craig, Julianna and Isabeau Goodman

Featuring the voice talents of Starlight’s Fairy Godmother Jamie Lee Curtis and National Spokesperson Corbin Bleu, as well as Whoopi Goldberg, Alyson Stoner, Patrick Warburton and Brenda Song, The Little Engine that Could has been declared “a fun family film” and “positively delightful” by Los Angeles Family Magazine. For every DVD sold, a donation of up to $0.50 will be made to Starlight.

Learn more at www.littleenginemovie.com.

Look for The Little Engine That Could DVD in the movie section of retail stores near you!

Also, there is still time left to to catch The Little Engine that Could on the big screen during weekends in March at a Kidtoons theatre near you. Find participating locations at www.kidtoonfilms.com. 

* * *

Download some fun Little Engine that Could activity sheets for your kids!

Click here to download the 'Little Engine that Could' maze.

Click here to download the 'Little Engine that Could' coloring sheet. 

Starlight is pleased to name New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi a Global Ambassador for the organization.

A supporter of Starlight’s for a decade, Tony is dedicated to Starlight’s cause to help seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

“It has been my mission to share the joys of reading, art and imagination with not only the healthy children in bookstores and schools across the world, but with other children who are not as fortunate,” he said.

This quest began for Tony when his young daughter, Sophia, suffered from seizures at an early age, giving his family a first-hand experience of the overwhelming and often times frightening reality of life in the hospital.

“Being storytellers, my wife and I passed the time between medical procedures and discussions with doctors by creating our own fairy tales and playing make-believe with our daughter within the walls of our quiet hospital room,” said DiTerlizzi. “It was there I began to truly understand the power of what a fantastic story can do and how it can transport one to another time, place or world.”

Dragons, space monsters, goblins and insects--the characters that inhabit storyteller Tony DiTerlizzi’s world haven’t changed since he was a kid growing up in South Florida. Ten years ago, Tony first got involved with Starlight when he contributed beautiful illustrations for Starlight’s book, Once Upon a Fairy Tale, a unique collection of classic fairy tales with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Starlight. This year, he returnsto aliens and spaceships with his futuristic fairy tale, The Search for WondLa (Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing). Starlight families were Tony’s special guests at the book’s official launch party at Books of Wonder in New York City. Starlight children and their parents were captivated by Tony as he sketched a scene from a chapter in the book while it was read aloud by actress Uma Thurman.  

“The work Starlight does to restore a family’s spirit is as powerful as any fairy tale,” Tony said. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to represent Starlight as a Global Ambassador and I am thrilled and honored to share in their mission of brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families.”

We'd like to welcome Tony to our Starlight family and are so excited to have him work alongside our other great Ambassadors - Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Koz, Bob Saget and Corbin Bleu.

For more about Tony and his many projects, visit www.diterlizzi.com. 

 Tony recently appeared on TODAY to answer questions from Al Roker and young fans about his book, The Search for WondLa. Watch the Q&A here and read an excerpt from the book shared on the Al's Book Club for Kids webpage.

Young patients at Sutter Memorial Hospital recently celebrated their double vision - the sight of two new Starlight Fun Centers, thanks to Save Mart, Nestlé and California Pizza Kitchen.

Laura Medovoy, Sutter's Director of Child Life, shared her excitement: "These [Fun Centers] are fantastic because they can be in the playroom, they can go into kids’ rooms - they bring normal acitivities that a lot of kids are used to playing at this point. It helps them pass the time. It helps them play games together. It gives them the opportunity to stand up and move around and get some exercise, which is only going to contribute to their recovery."

Sacramento's KCRA 3 arrived for the celebration. Watch a videoclip here. 

Miniature golf, rock climbingand tea cups - oh my!

These are just a few of the many fun attractions Starlight's Great Escapes Orange County families had unlimited access to recently at Boomers in Irvine, CA.

Our 54 Starlight children and family members had a wonderful time playing arcade games inside and hitting up all their favorite rides and attractions outside.

It was a gorgeous day with the sun shining down on everyone.

Thank you, Boomers, for a wonderful afternoon!

by Jessie Jacobson,

Program Coordinator - Starlight Global Office

Last week on 365, we shared the story of the young winners of our Starlight Pediatric Gown Design Contest with Encompass Group. (Read our article, Move Over Diane von Furstenberg, Encompass Group Showcases the Art of Starlight Children on Line of Pediatric Gowns.)

In its article, "...Student Wins International Design Contest," La Prensa takes a closer look at Anna Kristina Alfaro, our young winner from San Antonio and her design, You Are Not Alone.

Anna Kristina’s experiences in having a seriously ill sibling are symbolized in You Are Not Alone. Her younger brother, Peter Lukas, was diagnosed with a yolk sac cancerous tumor when he was just 10 months old. The images of figures surrounded by other figures in the design are meant to remind hospitalized children of the communities of support that surround them –- their parents, siblings, friends, and other young children around the world also facing illness.

“It’s pretty cool knowing I accomplished something,” Anna Kristina told La Prensa's Angela Covo.

Read the rest of La Prensa's article here. 

Congratulations, Anna Kristina! We are so proud of you - and we hope this article is just one of many successes you have in your future as an artist!

Recently, Winthrop University Hospital had reason to celebrate when Colgate Palmolive and BJ's Wholesale Club unveiled a Starlight Fun Center mobile entertainment unit for its pediatric patients to enjoy.  

This is the 14th Fun Center placed at Winthrop.

BJ's was excited to be involved, said Jenny Isaacson, VP of Brand Marketing and Communications at Starlight's Global Office.

The Fun Center dedication was a first for BJ's, who brought a clown (with the help of Colgate Palmolive) and gift bags for children who attended the unveiling as well as for those young patients who could not leave their hospital rooms.

Read the Mineola Patch’s article, ‘Starlight Lights Up Kid’s Eyes at Winthrop’ for more.  

You’ve heard the saying, “having your cake and eating it, too” – recently, some Starlight children put those words into action!

More than 80 Starlight children and family members took over Portland’s Le Cordon Blue College of Culinary Arts, headed by the fabulous dean, Chef DJ.

Families were divided into eight teams that were each given unlimited cake frosting, flavoring, decorations and one GIGANTIC cake sheet to turn into a sweet masterpiece. 

The only rule was that cakes had to carry the same theme - Hope.

After everyone’s amazing creations were complete, groups gave their cakes heartwarming names: Hope Floats, Extreme Hope Make-Over, Book of Cures, Reach for the Stars, Wishing Well of Hope, A Sunny Day, Hopeful Volcano and The Shining Pyramid. During the creation process, many Starlight parents received well-deserved chair massages by local masseuse Coni Silbernagel of Emerging Massage.

Next, special guest judge Carrie Anne Shubert, owner of Portland’s famous Beaverton Bakery, surveyed the room for cakes that best fell under the competition’s different categories – most inspirational, most colorful, most creative and most thematic.

Carrie declared everyone a winner and honored them with darling kitchen timers and wooden spoons from a local IKEA.

As expected, at the end of the day, the Great Portland Cake Off became the Great Portland Cake Buffet. Families, volunteers, and Le Cordon Bleu culinary students and staff tasted the cake creations, one by one. 

There was so much cake left over, many families delivered slices to local hospitals that evening for children who could not make it to the Great Escape.

An amazing, tasty, and fun time was had by all!

Thanks to a generous grant from the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF), Starlight NY*NJ*CT recently cut the ribbon on a Starlight Site care room at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens.

The new care room is designed with a park theme that includes colorful trees and kites on the walls, vibrant floor tiles and an inviting feel that will help calm children’s fears, distract them from their pain and engage them in the treatment process.

There are currently nine Starlight Site care rooms in six hospitals across the tri-state area.

Read more in an article by The Queens Gazette, and then stop by Starlight NY*NJ*CT's Facebook page for a gallery of photos.

Thanks, IICF!

By: Michelle Daniels

Apparel Marketing Director, Reusables
Encompass Group, LLC

Early last year, Encompass Group selected Starlight as its national charity partner and then enlisted its help to launch a line of “Starlight Pediatric Gowns” that would be produced in a variety of sizes.

We were all so excited by the opportunity – especially when Starlight invited its children to create the designs for these pediatric gowns. All too familiar with hospital stays, they were the perfect artists.

To get the creative wheels spinning, Starlight kids and teens across the US and Canada at Great Escape events and on Starbright World were asked, “You’ve been in the hospital and know how scary and lonely it can be; what would you like on your gown to cheer you up?”

Crayons and colored pencils in hand, they got to drawing.

At Encompass, our mission is to create safe and comfortable environments for patients, staff, residents and guests. Our motivation behind these hospital gowns was to help make the hospital experience a little more fun and comforting for children and families faced with difficult situations.

You can only imagine how moved we were to see the 325 submissions Starlight children sent our way. To be surrounded by artwork created for the inspiration and comfort of others – it was such an amazing feeling and quite the challenge for Encompass employees to select four winning designs!

And so it is with great pleasure that I announce the winners of our Starlight Pediatric Gowns design contest:

Myron Laban, 16, of Des Plaines, IL

Noah Yosif, 15, of Chicago, IL

Anna Kristina Alfaro, 11, of San Antonio, TX

Rebecca Gordon, 14, of Manhattan IL

Our four winning artists unveiled their designs and were honored during two Starlight Hospital Happening events that took place at hospitals where they or a sibling regularly receive treatment for a serious illness.

On Dec. 8, 2010, winners Rebecca Gordon, Noah Yosif and Myron Laban unveiled their designs at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Chicago, IL.

And on Dec, 15, 2010, winner Anna Kristina Alfaro unveiled her design at Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, TX.

“It felt really great to know that my design was selected,” shared Noah. Diagnosed with asthma when he was just 10 years old, Noah’s biggest goal in life is to overcome his disease, finish school and travel around the world. The Great Wall of China, Taj Mahal and Golden Gate Bridge are some of the inspirations behind his design, “One Small Star.”

He continues, “My design was meant to motivate young hospitalized patients to never stop dreaming about the great places and great experiences they will have one day. My design tells young patients that hoping for better days isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it will only make them stronger.”

“One Small Star” and the contest’s other winning designs are featured at www.starlight.org/encompass. And for additional information on how to purchase the Starlight Pediatric Gowns and other patient care products for your facility, please contact Encompass group by emailing your request to customerservice@encompassgroup.net.

I leave you with this great video that shares more behind the partnership between Starlight and Encompass and the story behind our Starlight Pediatric Gown design contest…

On the Playing Fields

“We drove an hour and a half and it was well worth the trip!” said a happy Starlight mom.

Her sentiment was echoed by the 75 Starlight MidAtlantic children and family members who recently attended a sports-themed CPKids Camp Great Escape – full of activities and food and fun, too - at the U-Turn Sports Academy in Richmond, VA.

That afternoon, Richmond’s PJ the DJ got the crowd energized and on its feet – some parents even built up the courage to join their kids and California Pizza Kitchen volunteers for line dancing and the Macarena. Children also got their faces painted, jumped in bounce houses and joined in on games of tennis, volleyball and bowling.

The pizza, pasta and salads provided by CPK also gave children the extra fuel they needed to challenge three University of Richmond soccer players to a game of soccer with a giant-sized ball.  

Even Starry arrived for the fun!

Click here for more photos. 

It’s Mardi Gras Time

A stilt walker with beads in hand and ready-to-go greeted the more than 100 Starlight Children and 20 CPK volunteers who arrived for a Mardi Gras-themed CPKids Camp Great Escape in South Florida.

After lunch, families played bingo for prizes, made Mardi Gras masks, received Mardi Gras-themed tattoos (temporary ones of course!), took goofy photos in a photo both, played Dance Dance Revolution and enjoyed a magic show that included juggling and a unicycle – whew! A deejay also kept the atmosphere a festive one with musical chairs, a freeze dance competition and hula hoop contest.

Click here for more photos.

 Starlight MidAtlantic and Starlight Florida thank CPK for the delicious lunch, amazing volunteers and everything else it provided to make these CPKids Camp Great Escapes so unforgettable! 

You know very well that a hospital treatment room can be a very scary place for children. It is in these rooms where some of their most difficult and painful experiences occur, such as spinal taps, biopsies and other invasive exams. With this in mind, and at the request of medical staff, parents and kids themselves, Starlight created its Starlight Site care room program.

Through the commitment of Thunderbird Charities and with the help of Starlight, The Maricopa Health Foundation provided funding for much-needed renovations of the busy Admitting Department at Maricopa Medical Center and the transformation of two Hydro Therapy rooms at the Arizona Burn Center into Starlight Site care rooms.

Major enhancements to the care rooms include chroma-therapy lighting, flat screen TVs and decorative surroundings. One of the rooms even has a hydraulic tub.

Recently, Starlight Arizona had the pleasure of joining Thunderbird Charities at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Starlight Site care rooms. Phoenix's KPHO 5 takes you there.    

Imagine waking up and finding a picture of yourself on the front page of the Business section of the New York Times. What would you say?

Yesterday, all Alison Sadock could say was: "Oh my gosh. The photo's HUGE!"

Alison, Starlight's Corporate Accounts Assistant who works at our Global Office in Los Angeles, was the subject of writer Catherine Rampell's article, "More College Graduates Take Public Service Jobs."

The article shares the story of Alison's decision to join the non-profit sector after college and how working for Starlight has been a rewarding experience for her.

"I am incredibly honored to represent the thousands of recent grads working in public service," she says. "More than anything, I just feel lucky that my job has purpose and that I play a small part in making a difference in the lives of children."

Read the New York Times article "More College Graduates Take Public Service Jobs" here.

COMEDY NIGHT ON STARBRIGHT WORLD

by Starbright World Chat Host Danielle

As a former member and current chat host on Starlight's online social network for seriously ill teens, Starbright World (SBW), the thing I appreciated most about the program was that it allowed me to find my own voice.  Through the support of my friends and former hosts on SBW, I was able to gain the confidence I needed to follow my dream.  And my dream just happened to be comedy.  I've been a fan of comedy for as long as I can remember, and am now pursuing a career as a writer.  Now that I am a host with SBW, I thought what better way to show my appreciation than to give back what the program gave to me: COMEDY! Laughter is the best medicine, of course... and it tastes way better than Predinsone or colonoscopy prep. Am I right?!  [inside joke for my chronically ill homies]

With that in mind, I decided to reach out to my fellow comics and invite some of them to explore the world of virtual comedy with me.  I got my start by making people laugh through chat rooms and instant messages - not so common in the comedy world.  So when I suggested a " virtual chat room set" to the comics, they were intrigued to say the least.  With little hesitation - ok none, he was really excited to do it -  my hilarious friend Keith agreed to join us for an evening of haha's and LOL's (the only gauge he would have as to how well he was doing), and even brought along a friend to open for him!

On Monday, December 27th, professional stand-up comedian Keith joined us in the chat room for SBW's (and the world's!!!!) first Virtual Stand-up Comedy Show! Keith has been doing stand-up comedy for light years, has released 2 comedy CDs as well as a documentary about comedy, headlined several comedy tours and has recently been seen in sketches with George Lopez and Chris Rock on LOPEZ TONIGHT. He is a very, very funny dude.

Opening for Keith was the hilarious Michael. He has also been doing comedy for eons, however, Michael does a unique style of stand-up called "sit-down" comedy. You see, Michael has Muscular Dystrophy and spews forth his hilarity from a wheelchair. He cracked us all up (or "killed it" as the comics say) with his take on what it's like to not only live, but be a comedian with a disability. Soon, Michael will be headlining the COMICS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, along with several fellow disabled comics.

Says member Wca32: "I have not laughed that much in a very long time, is all I can say."

"I LOVE COMEDIANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :DDDDDD" raves Totallycaroline (Which is a LOT of smiles, btw!)

Keith proclaims, "This was incredibly weird! And very fun!"

NewYorkGirl24 had this to say: "I drink root beer and get swollen. but it's DELICIOUS! ;)"

Keith was absolutely right...incredibly weird and tons of fun had by all! I think it's safe to say that everyone involved looks foward to doing it again!

They dance. They dribble. They spin.

They are the Harlem Globetrotters, and last Friday, Starlight families in Orange County, CA, braved the rain to spend an afternoon with the legendary team in Anaheim and experience a little basketball magic.

Read more about the fun and watch a great videoclip from The Orange County Register News. 

Love this quote from Globetrotter Kris "Hilite" Bruton: "Putting smiles on kids faces make us happy. We love it."

Many thanks to the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel and Wyndham for their support!

To learn more about the baseball star and his work with Starlight, read the Huffington Post article, ‘Starlight Children's Foundation Hosts Fundraiser With Ozzie Guillen For Chronically Ill Kids’ and watch Major League Baseball’s videoclip, ‘Ozzie address Starlight Event’.

More than 20 employees from our national hotel partner Wyndham Hotel Group recently gathered to make uplifting greeting cards for Starlight children and families in San Francisco, Calif. They created cards for all occasions: Feel Better, Happy Birthday, Valentine’s Day, and fun cards with motivational messages like, "Rock On!" These cards will brighten the faces of our Starlight children, and on their behalf, we say, “Thank you!” Even a gift as simple as a card lets a child struggling with a chronic or life-threatening illness know they are not alone, and that helps them cope with their daily struggles.

To learn more about Wyndham’s efforts to help Starlight’s seriously ill children, visit www.starlight.org/wyndham.  

To everyone who bid on eBay or helped us spread the word, thank you. We raised more than $12,000 for Starlight's programs! On behalf of our children and families, we want to give a huge thank you to our winning bidders and of course to Sephora and Hello Kitty who made it all possible!

Don't forget, you can find the entire Sephora Hello Kitty Beauty collection at all Sephora stores now and online! 

In celebration of the opening of its location at North Station, Qdoba Mexican Grill® is hosting a fundraising event at which guests will receive one entrée and one regular-size drink if they make a minimum $5 donation to its national charity partner Starlight Children’s Foundation. The offer will be available Tuesday, Jan. 25 between 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

All proceeds from this special offer will go directly to Starlight to help seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL

101 Causeway

Boston

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

See you there!

Hello Kitty. Hello Pretty.

Hello Kitty collectors and beauty lovers everywhere - mark your calendar! 

On January 17,  Sephora and Sanrio give you the chance to get your hands on Hello Kitty Beauty items during a super charity auction benefitting Starlight!

It's finally here! Sephora is proud to launch Hello Kitty Beauty, an exclusive new beauty collection with iconic style, and they're celebrating the excitement with the ultimate beauty event on eBay - the chance to bid and win luxurious Hello Kitty Beauty items and once-in-a-lifetime V.I.P trips - all benefiting Starlight!

From January 17 (starting at 11:01 am EST) and running through January 27, log onto eBay.com/sephorahellokitty to bid on incredible charity auction packages that include:

The chance to star in your very own Hello Kitty Beauty photo shoot in New York City shot by a famous photographer, including hotel, airfare, makeup application by a Sephora makeup artist, invitations to an exclusive party with Ms. Yuko Yamaguchi, Hello Kitty designer from Sanrio Tokyo, a selection of Hello Kitty Beauty products, PLUS a custom piece of Hello Kitty artwork created especially for the shoot 

3 once-in-a-lifetime "Hello Kitty Beauty Experience" trip packages for two to New York City, Los Angeles or Honolulu, including hotel, airfare, priority access to meet Ms. Yuko Yamaguchi, Hello Kitty designer from Sanrio

Tokyo, at an exclusive Hello Kitty Beauty event at Sephora, makeup application by a Sephora makeup artist and a selection of Hello Kitty Beauty products 

50 Hello Kitty Beauty silver compact mirrors signed by Ms. Yuko Yamaguchi, Hello Kitty designer from Sanrio Tokyo

2 limited edition Swarovski compact mirrors from the Hello Kitty Beauty collection also signed by Ms. Yuko Yamaguchi

4 Super Limited Edition Hello Kitty "bling" makeup Brush Holders adorned with Swarovski crystals (note: they have a black and white striped "Sephora" bow – silver/black only)

A bountiful selection of Hello Kitty Beauty products featuring items from the Hello Kitty Beauty Collection presented exclusively at Sephora

Hit ebay.com/sephorahellokitty early to sign up for email updates, event news, and collection details, and to follow Sephora on Twitter and Facebook for exclusive sneak peeks.

The most beautiful part: 100% of the proceeds from the charity auctions will benefit Starlight to help children with serious illnesses and their families cope with their challenges.

The full collection of Hello Kitty Beauty will be available in all Sephora stores on January 27.

Starlight corporate partner Forever 21, Inc. has launched a charitable line of bracelets (below) with 100 percent of the proceeds, or 2/3 of the purchase price, to benefit Starlight.

“We are so thrilled to support Starlight with this campaign,” said Forever 21’s Senior Marketing Manager Linda Chang. “While these bracelets are fashion pieces, they also build awareness for Starlight and all it does to provide a better quality of life for children who need it most.”

Adorned with metallic star charms, the bracelets will be sold in sets. Those who purchase a set are encouraged to keep one bracelet and use the second to inspire a friend to do good work.

The nationwide bracelets will retail for $3.80 and be available for purchase worldwide at Forever 21 stores and online at Forever21.com.

This is the second year that Forever 21 and Starlight have partnered for a special cause-related campaign. In 2009, Forever 21 launched a charitable line of T-shirts personally designed by notable celebrities who included Corbin Bleu, Paris, Nicky and Kathy Hilton, Colbie Caillat, Demi Lovato, and Audrina Patridge.

I’m excited to announce, along with my friend (and follow Aggie) Danika, the launch of The Starlight Club at Texas A & M University (TAMU)!

The Starlight Club’s mission is to

-raise awareness about Starlight at the TAMU campus,

-raise funds to support Starlight programs across Texas

-recruit summer volunteers for Starlight events not just in Texas, but across the country

Now that it has a campus organization, Starlight can have a presence at some of TAMU’s school-only events. Starlight can also use TAMU facilities at a discounted rate.

One of The Starlight Club’s first goals is to raise funds to provide a Fun Center mobile entertainment unit for both hospitals in Texas’ Brazos Valley – where TAMU is located.     

Danika and I introduced The Starlight Club to TAMU students by organizing a toy drive for children attending Starlight Texas holiday Great Escapes across the state in December. Several generous students and campus organizations competed to collect the greatest number of toys. Everybody loves a good competition!

When the toy drive came to a close, there were too many toys to store in just one dorm! The final count was an impressive 332 toys. 

Thanks to everyone at TAMU who helped brighten the holidays for Texas’ seriously ill children and their families. To join “The Club” and help us spread the word on campus, email starlightaggies@gmail.com.

Gig 'em!

Get in the spirit of giving (and shopping!) and browse Paris Hilton’s Closet at Designer Archives, a consignment boutique, at The Glen Centre.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from Paris’ closet tonight will benefit Starlight. The Glen Centre is celebrating the season with ‘Taste of the Glen’ tonight as well, so stores will be welcoming shoppers with complimentary food and beverages.

Nestled in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Los Angeles, this cozy outdoor shopping village in Bel Air is made up of 24 distinctive shops and restaurants just minutes away from Beverly Hills, Westwood and Sherman Oaks. Guests can shop, eat and relax at their choice of restaurants, boutiques, live jazz supper club, and much, much more. Stop by tonight, and know that your purchases from Paris Hilton’s Closet at Designer Archives will help make the holidays much brighter for seriously ill children and their families.

DETAILS!

Designer Archives at The Glen Centre

2934 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90077

310-470-3388

Friday, December 17, 2010

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Happy Shopping!

Extra special how, you ask?

Extra special because these gifts give back to Starlight…

At its online store, www.starlight.org/onlinestore, Starlight has a wide variety of huggable, entertaining and delectable items that are sure to brighten any home.

For the SCI-FI BUFF  

The Leap Back 2009 - A 20th Anniversary Quantum Leap Convention DVD

For three days in March 2009, about 50 guest stars from the hit show 'Quantum Leap' and hundreds of fans got together in Los Angeles to remember and honor the show. They also raised funds to support Starlight. “Be there” yourself with The Leap Back 2009 - A 20th Anniversary Quantum Leap Convention DVD: approximately 13 hours of the convention on a four-disc DVD set available for a suggested donation of $30.

The four-disc set includes Don Bellisario and Scott Bakula reminiscing about the show and chatting with Dean Stockwell (who called in), Velton Ray Bunch and Scott Bakula performing “Somewhere in the Night,” the 'Quantum Leap' Trivia Challenge between Scott Bakula and Jay Schwartz and more!

For the VIDEO GAME FAN  

The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures: Starlight Charity Challenge

We present a videogame with heart! Starlight’s The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures: Starlight Charity Challenge is a casual PC downloadable videogame that pairs having a good time with doing good. The hilarious arcade adventure game follows the Tuttle family as they try to bond on a road trip to see the Alamo. In addition to 40 engaging levels of side-scrolling action, players are treated to animated, comic book style cut scenes brought to life by the fantastic voice-over talents of Hollywood’s biggest names. 

For the COOKIE AFICIONADO

Cookies for a Koz

Founded by Roberta, sister of Starlight Global Ambassador Dave Koz, Cookies for a Koz is a cookie company devoted to bringing smiles to its customers and helping Starlight achieve its mission. Ten percent of proceeds from each box of cookies benefits Starlight. 

For the BOOKWORM  

Little Pickle Press

Make your child's bedtime even more special with Rana DiOrio’s three part series of books, 'What Does It Mean To Be Global?', 'What Does It Mean To Be Green?' And 'What Does It Mean To Be Present?' Little Pickle Press’s books are designed to help parents and educators cultivate conscious, responsible little people by inspiring its readers to help children in need, celebrate diversity and protect the environment. All books are printed using recycled paper, soy inks and green packaging. Starlight will receive 10 percent of the purchase price of each book in the series, which will retail for $16.95 through www.littlepicklepress.com and other book sellers.

'Tattoo Stories' by Smart Imagination

Tattoo Stories by Smart Imagination is a publication depicting the stories behind the ink worn by a cross selection of people in our society. Students, lawyers, medical professionals and more open their lives and share personal stories in this 5-year documentary project. The coffee table book is an elegant collection of spoken word paired with stunning photography by Marvin Malzahn. Tattoo Stories features a foreword written by Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. A minimum of $4 will be contributed to Starlight for every copy of Tattoo Stories sold on or before December 31, 2011, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $10,000. Visit www.TattooStories.org for more information or to find out where to purchase the book.

For the JEWELRY LOVER

Jewels by Park Lane

Surprise a loved one with a Jewels by Park Lane Starlight bracelet— a glittering star, either encrusted with genuine pave cubic zirconias or beautiful amethyst stones suspended from a silvertone open-link bracelet. Jewels by Park Lane will donate $2 from the sale of every Starlight Bracelet (#10250) Bonus Buy to Starlight. Customers placing a minimum $30 order may purchase Starlight bracelet for $14.

Maya Brenner

For something extra special for the women in your life, consider the Starlight Necklace. Designed for Starlight by Maya Brenner, the Starlight Necklace retails at $250 and $100 of that price is a donation to Starlight. Maya Brenner makes no profit from this necklace. The entire profit is a donation. To order, click here to visit the Maya Brenner website.

Susi D Jewelry

Still looking for that the perfect gift that dazzles and shines? Check out the ‘Connection Collection’ by Susi D. Jewelry. Twenty percent of each purchase will be donated to Starlight (yes, that comes out to $5 on her stunning charm necklaces). Visit the Susi D Jewelry website to learn how the jewelry designer's battle with cancer inspired her new collection and her partnership with Starlight. 

Still looking for something with a little more flair? Then why not test your luck with Starlight’s second annual Online Holiday Auction?

Now through Dec. 16, Starlight’s auction pages on eBay and CharityBuzz are the ultimate destinations for gifts featuring your favorite celebrities, vacation getaways, one-of-a-kind memorabilia and more! Check out Starlight’s auction page daily at www.starlight.org/onlineauctions for up-to-date listing details.  

In addition to its amazing holiday auctions, from Dec. 6 through 16, Starlight will also be a featured charity at checkout on eBay – so please remember to choose Starlight for your checkout donations!

No matter what Starlight gift or auction item you choose, feel good knowing that it gives back to help the more than 3 million seriously ill children and family members served by Starlight each year! Each gift will be appreciated, not only by the person who receives it, but by each child, parent or sibling who gains comfort from one of Starlight’s programs.

Happy hunting…and happy holidays!

As someone who was once a teenager, I can attest that there is often extreme pressure from peers to conform and maintain appearances.

As a Starbright World chat host, I have learned that it can be hard to get to know a person just using chat and that when you’re new to a community like Starbright World, you can sometimes be intimidated by the pre-existing friendships of older members.  

With this in mind, I held a contest on Starbright World titled “Starbright World Modeling Madness!” My goal: to create a more welcoming and fun environment for everyone involved with the site.

In Japan, photo booths are everywhere and are much more advanced than the ones here. Nearly all Japanese youths and many adults use these puri-kura booths to commemorate events or friendships. Japanese photo booths allow users to choose fun backgrounds, place stamps or pictures directly in the photo and even allow users to rank past photos taken by friends or strangers.

For “Starbright World Modeling Madness,” we played off this idea by encouraging participants to edit their photos in fun and creative ways. I started the game off with pictures (taken in an actual Japanese photo-booth!) that had me creatively interpreting eight different silly themes.

I was thrilled to see the wacky ways our members chose to participate and was surprised at how the competition allowed members to be more open in our chat room.

One member, who has been on Starbright World for months, had never mentioned she volunteered weekly with a children's theater until the contest gave her a chance to reveal her more dramatic persona.

Ultimately, the contest was a great success. We learned something new about each other. We had a chance to get silly, and we made new friends. 

Enjoy the picture of our winner below!

On Friday, October 29, 2010, Starlight Florida held its 8^th Annual Starlight Greater Open at Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation. Presented by C. Davis Electric and Five Star Claims Adjusting, more than 160 golfers participated in the event, which raised $83,000 to help Starlight continue to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their family members throughout the state of Florida.

Each month, Starlight Florida serves more than 7,400 children with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings that provide ongoing support for children and families — before, during and after medical treatment.

Golfers had the opportunity to participate in prize-winning contests such as the Hole in One, Longest Drive, Putting Contest, Star Drive and the “Are You Better Than a Junior Golfer?” contest sponsored by MS Cable & Wire Installations. The tournament was followed by a dinner reception, where awards were presented to this year’s winners.

“We are so proud of this tournament and of the support we receive each year to help Starlight,” said Renee Weintraub, 2010 Greater Golf Open Chair. “We raised a record high amount, and in this economy, that is an incredible feat, so we are even more grateful to everyone who supported our event and mission this year. It pleases us to host such a high-quality tournament and keep it appealing by offering new things each year, such as golf stretching and unique gift items on the course.”

On the heels of this year’s success, plans for the 2011 tournament are already underway. The event will return to Jacaranda Golf Club on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. To learn more or register early, please visit www.starlight.org/florida or call 954-318-2178.

Added Weintraub, “We are very grateful to our sponsors, especially C. Davis Electric and Five Star Claims Adjusting, for their continued support in helping us put on this wonderful fundraising event. It pleased us to see so many returning sponsors and golfers, as well as many new faces on the course this year. Their assistance helps Starlight improve the quality of life for seriously ill children and families in our community.”

Additional sponsorship for the 8^th Annual Greater Open was provided by ACAI, Electrical Supplies, Inc., Michael Cowan on behalf of Ameriprise Financial, NOVA Southeastern University, Suffolk Construction, JM Family Enterprises, Moody Electric, ING, MS Cable & Wire Installations, Lotspeich Company, Inc., Trident Surfacing, Graybar, ANF, All Interior Supply, Consolidate Electrical Contractors, Rexel, Oppenheimer Funds, Pantropic Power, JD Backhoe, Inc, Southern Wine & Spirits, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Foundation, and WESCO Distributors.

In first photo: Tori Parry, Nigel Bogaert, John Sweeney, Justin Williams

In second photo: Clint Umbrell, Curt Parry, Ed Bittman and Michael Warren

In third photo: Starlight Florida's Lori LaBush, Mary Ensor, Amy Kerlin and Sasha Moon

In fourth photo: Duke Goldberg, Cheryl Mizrahi, Jim Andres and Michael Cowan

As a way to encourage the hobbies and interests of its members, Starbright World, Starlight's online social network for seriously ill teens, created a monthly 'Foodie Chat' for its food enthusiasts. During the 'Foodie Chat' members swap recipes and share tips and tricks on how to get around certain dietary restrictions without forfeitting the tastes of a delicious meal.

Starbright World Member Dre shares his recipe for Jamaican Red Pea Soup, a cozy soup for the cold winter days. Enjoy!

Jamaican Red Pea Soup

Ingredients

3 cups of kidney beans, soaked overnight in water or 2 tins of canned bean

1 1/2 litres of water

2 regular onions
2 scallion (spring onions may be used as a substitute)
2 carrots
2 teaspoons of dried thyme
1 hot pepper (ideally scotch bonnet) 
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
1/2 lb potatoes
1/2 lb yam
1/2 cup coconut milk 
Flour, water and a pinch of salt to make dough for spinners
Optional ingredients
Pork bones
Chicken back

Preparation

Cooking

On Sunday, November 21, join Starlight in celebrating the holiday season at The Grove's 'Hollywood Christmas Celebration.'

The fun begins at 7:30 pm.

The festive evening, FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, will be hosted by EXTRA’S Mario Lopez and include performances from David Archuleta, Dave Koz and Friends, Jesse McCartney, Charice (the internet sensation known for her powerful voice and guest spot on hit show Glee) and Michael Grimm (Season 5 winner of America's Got Talent).

In harmony with the spirit of the holidays, Starlight will make a special presentation and share an inspiring story from a young Starlight child. We will also be collecting donations of new, unwrapped latex-free toys for distribution to children of all ages who may be spending the holidays in the hospital.

The evening will include The Top Hats, a professional chorus line dance troupe created just for The Grove, the anticipated arrival of Santa and a highlight of the evening will be when beloved actor and Saturday Night Live legend Dan Aykroyd lights the brilliant 100-foot Christmas tree with its 10,000 glistening lights and 15,000 sparkling ornaments. The season’s first “snowfall” and a mesmerizing fireworks display will conclude the celebration.

YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE OFFICIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US!

See you there.

For more information, please visit www.thegrovela.com.

That is part of the reason that I’m proud to be a part of Nexon’s new relationship with Starlight Children’s Foundation. I’m so excited that we’ll be promoting Starlight in Mabinogi, our popular MMORPG that has garnered a large youth following.

Mabinogi is a robust, online universe where people can experience all facets of fantasy life from fighting to harvesting. Mabinogi provides a new experience with its variety of gameplay, unique combat system, and orderly time element and age component.

As part of our  campaign, Nexon has two very cool ways in which we will donate to Starlight with the support of Mabinogi fans.

Firstly, Nexon will also donate 100% of its proceeds from the sale of the Mabinogi soundtrack on iTunes to Starlight. For every $0.99 download on iTunes, Starlight will receive $0.35.  You can find the soundtrack here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mabinogi-original-soundtrack/id386876737.

Secondly, we are releasing a Starlight Scepter in Mabinogi on Wednesday, Nov. 17. Energized by the power of children everywhere, this fancy scepter glows when equipped in-game. We’re proud to announce that 50 percent of the purchase price of each Starlight Scepter, priced at approximately four dollars, will also go to Starlight.  The Starlight Scepter will be on sale for one year, which gives everyone some time to donate to a fantastic cause and look stylish in-game at the same time!

We really look forward to this relationship with Starlight. Imrpoving the quality of life for children who are seriously ill is very important to all of us at Nexon, and we are proud to be a member of Starlight’s family.

Enjoy your Fantasy Life in Mabinogi and we’ll see you online!

For more about Mabinogi, go to, www.starlight.org/mabinogi or http://mabinogi.nexon.net.

By Charles Park, Mabinogi Producer, Nexon America

All proceeds from this special offer will go toward Starlight New England’s goal of raising $20,000 at the 2010 Rodman Ride for Kids. Once Starlight New England reaches its goal, the Rodman Ride will match its efforts by 10 percent, which is another $2,000 for Starlight’s children and families. Learn more at http://www.starlight.org/newengland/events/.

Qdoba Mexican Grill

Located in the Woburn Mall

300 1-A Mishawum Rd.

Woburn, MA 01801

Saturday, November 13, 2010

11:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.

See you there!

EAA Chapter in Waco Serves Up Pancakes and Planes for Starlight Children

The skies above McGregor Airport in Waco, Texas, couldn’t have been any friendlier when the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Chapter 59 (EAA 59) held its monthly member fly-in and breakfast.  But that morning, the fly-in was anything but ordinary. Members instead hosted a Starlight Great Escape family event, appropriately titled “Pancakes and Planes.”

As always, the morning menu included piping hot pancakes, but today there were 22 excited little faces belonging to children from Starlight Texas. The kids arrived to the airport with their parents and siblings to fill their bellies and get a head start on earning their pilot wings.

Across breakfast tables, families and pilots shared stories and syrup bottles, and then went outside and watched children’s jaws drop in absolute awe when they came face to face with a flock of more than 25 aircrafts, including general aviation, homebuilts, biplanes, gyrocopters and helicopters.  

“Throughout its history, EAA 59 has brought educational programming to some local schools in Waco,” said Kenny Grisham, EAA. “But watching children get helped out of wheelchairs and lowered into pilot seats with fascinated smiles on their faces, we knew we had something extra special on our hands.

“I found myself wondering why we hadn’t done something like this before,” added Grisham. “We've never done less and gotten more.”

The success of “Pancakes and Planes” also pleased Dana Cozby, manager of program services at Starlight Texas.

“It was a beautiful day and our Starlight families had such a great time!” said Cozby. “Most of our families aren’t able to attend a regular air show event--they’re always too crowded--so this was like a private air show just for us. Everyone was able to enjoy themselves without having to worry about crowds or stares or awkward questions.”

Aside from learning what it’s like to be a pilot and how to fly a plane, children also had their pictures taken, made toy planes out of balsa wood, and watched videos of experimental planes in Japan.

"We enjoyed everything today,” said Esmeralda, a Starlight mother. “My kids had a wonderful experience. They had never seen airplanes this close. We thank everyone at EAA 59 who participated and volunteered."

EAA 59’s Pat Baucum agreed.

"It is so wonderful to have a group such as Starlight to help fulfill the dreams of these seriously ill children. EAA 59 certainly enjoys helping. We are the ones who are blessed to be a part of this."

When the fun of the afternoon came to a close, Grisham and Cozby exchanged glances. Undoubtedly, “Pancakes and Planes” would have a return trip next year.

In celebration of the 2010 World Series, Major League Baseball (MLB) teamed up with Starlight to unveil two Fun Centers in honor of the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers.

At San Francisco General Hospital, Starlight Great Escapes Coordinator Justine Alberto was joined by representatives from MLB, Vera Clemente, MLB Goodwill Ambassador and wife of late Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente, Giants great Juan Marichal and team mascot Lou Seal to officially cut the ribbon on the new Fun Center for the hospital’s trauma center. The unveiling was covered by San Francisco’s local CBS radio station.

In Dallas, patients at Medical City Children’s Hospital had their own reason to celebrate when Starlight Community Development Officer Mark Ford rolled a new Fun Center into the hospital’s pediatric unit with the help of Texas Rangers legend Jim Sundberg.

"Anything we can do to help kids who are in need, it's kind of what the Texas Rangers and our foundation stand for” said Sundberg. “We love to participate in events where we can help children and maybe make the experience of having a loved one being treated a little easier." Read more about the Fun Center dedication at Medical City Children's Hospital here. 

Starlight and MLB have placed nearly 50 Fun Centers in hospitals across America since 2005.

Thank you, MLB, for your support!

Indulge in some retail therapy, all while doing good for seriously ill children?

Sounds like a dream come true.

That's exactly how more than 150 women recently spent their afternoon when Starlight hosted its inaugural Design and Wine pre-holiday boutique at a luxurious home in Pacific Palisades, CA.

Hosted by Jenni Pulos of BRAVO’s Flipping Out (pictured third from right), Design and Wine was filled with good food and wine, a fabulous runway show sponsored by Intermix and the chance to shop for the latest in clothing, accessories, jewelry, and home goods from names like Lisa Kline, Charlotte Tarantola, Blumera, Stella Dot and many others.

Starlight’s StarPower Ambassadors were also on hand to take part in the festivities—actresses Romi Dames (pictured right), Kay Panabaker, Sammi Hanratty and Jillian Clare and recording artists Savvy and Mandy.

Altogether, Design and Wine raised more than $5,000, which will go towards brightening the lives of Starlight families.

Many thanks to our great Design and Wine vendors for their support: Lisa Kline, Charlotte Tarantola, Mike Lane's Premium Denim, Blumera handbags, My Jewelry Guru, Kait Emerson children’s clothing, Piper Boutique children’s clothing, Matilda Jane Clothing, Silpada jewelry, Miche Bags, Stella & Dot jewelry, Susi D jewelry, Cookies for a Koz, Limonaia, Sandy Lavet accessories, Oliver Dasheill Designs, Cereal Art, and Kangen water.

Root Root Root for

James Loney

by Melanie Parga, Communications Manager

While the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants go head to head for World Series victory, Starlight in Los Angeles continues to hold true to its own baseball all-star—Mr. James Loney, first baseman for the Dodgers.

Loney, as the Dodgers’ nominee for MLB’s 2010 Roberto Clemente Award, chose Starlight to be the charity beneficiary of the $7,500 donation awarded to Loney for his nomination. 

To celebrate his nomination, Loney hosted a Starlight Hospital Happening® party  for young patients at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Loney, in his white Dodger home jersey, arrived at CHLA to a group of excited staff members and nurses. He stopped at a physical therapy room where young patients—some in wheelchairs, some in crutches, and some with medical devices at their side—were in the middle of morning exercises. The girls and boys grew a bit embarrassed at the sight of Loney, but when he began following their lead—moving his arms in circles and kicking his leg out in front of him—they warmed up and began throwing questions his way.

“You ready for tonight, Loney?” asked a young man, making the room break into a quiet giggle.

After, Loney visited patients in their rooms, spending time with them individually and surprising them with Dodgers gift bags. The children, charmed by Loney, eventually followed him back to the unit’s main patient area, where they made crafts and played inning after inning of Wii Baseball on a Starlight Fun Center™ mobile entertainment unit.

Before the hospital visit came to a close, I learned that Loney regularly visits CHLA during his free time. It is refreshing to meet individuals like Loney who not only care about seriously ill children, but go out of their way for them.

We look forward to keeping James part of the Starlight family for many innings to come.

Photos courtesy of Los Angeles Dodgers/Jon SooHoo

If there’s anything on earth that costs little but that counts the most—it’s a smile.

Here at Einstein, we stand by that belief, and that’s why we were very excited to announce our partnership with Starlight to sponsor a Fun Center mobile entertainment unit in each hospital where Einstein Bros. opens a new location.

The very first Fun Center sponsored by Einstein Bros.—with help from Aramark—was unveiled on September 13, 2010, at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center in Durham, N.C.

The experience that day was something I’ll never forget. There were two reasons to celebrate—the opening of a new location and the new Fun Center that would serve as a great distraction for the hospital’s youngest patients. It was such an honor to get my hands—along with the hands of Shar West, Nurse Manager at Duke, Laurie Wyman, Resident District Manager at Aramark and Troy Young, Starlight Board Memeber–on the official scissors that cut across the yellow ribbon that was stretched across two IV poles. Although the young patients who helped us cut the ribbon wore surgical masks, their smiles shined through. The sight had us adults smiling just as big.

As my colleagues and I walked away from Duke’s Children Hospital, we were rest assured that Starlight truly is one of the nation’s most meaningful causes.

We recognize the importance of philanthropy and look forward to working with Starlight to make the lives of hospitalized children a little better one Fun Center at a time.

News of the Einstein’s Fun Center dedication at Duke’s Children’s Hospital was picked up by the Durham Herald-Sun, Denver Post, Durham local TV stations WTVD-TV (ABC) and WNCN-TV (NBC), and several restaurant trade magazines. To read Fast Casual’s story about the Fun Center dedication, please click here.

Today, Dave releases his first album with Concord Records called Hello Tomorrow, which earns Dave two pats on the back from Starlight--the first for creating such a great album, and the second for the success that Hello Tomorrow has already brought our talented friend.

Already, popular Los Angeles radio station The Wave (KTWV-FM) is playing three tracks from the album—Put the Top Down, Start All Over Again (featuring Dana Glover) and This Guy’s In Love With you (featuring Herb Alpert on trumpet and a rare lead vocal from Dave). Other songs on the album include collaborations with Keb’Mo’ and Boney James.

Our fingers are crossed in the hopes that Hello Tomorrow continues to make a name for itself in the music world and have the same success as Dave’s previous album—Dave Koz – Greatest Hits—which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and topped the charts for eight weeks.

Hello Tomorrow arrives 20 years to the week after Dave’s first album was released. It was a truly special project for the musician, who approached Hello Tomorrow as though he were turning a page to a new chapter in his life, reflecting on all the changes he’s gone through and finding comfort in all the work he put into his ‘musical survival guide.’

Dave, who also moonlights as a winemaker, is introducing three varietals from Koz Wines this fall, named after three songs on the album: Getaway Chardonnay, Put the Top Down Sauvignon and Anything's Possible Cabernet. Did we mention that all of Dave’s proceeds from the wine support Starlight? Both the wine and Hello Tomorrow will be sold in the wine section of Whole Foods Markets in the Southern Pacific Region.

We invite you to click the link below and sample Hello Tomorrow for yourself.

http://kozgetaway.com/

"[Stacey] comes to ALL of my events and makes such a HUGE difference," says Glenda Skinner, Starlight's Great Escapes Coordinator in Austin. "First of all, I don't have to worry about taking photos. Second, her photos are incredible. And third, my families just LOVE her. She is an amazing soul." 

How did you first get involved with Starlight Texas?

I first learned about Starlight through VolunteerMatch.com. I had been looking for a volunteer opportunity for my son when I came across a request from Starlight Texas—they were looking for a photographer. I quickly made contact, and three years later I still believe it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

What are some of the Starlight Great Escapes you’ve been to?

I’ve been to so many incredible events with Starlight Texas families in Austin, but there are two that stand out for me. The first is when Starlight families attended a Round Rock baseball game—this was also my very first Great Escape. The other is the holiday party held last year at the Austin Children’s Museum. The museum trip was special because the kids had the place to themselves, and for many of the kids it was their first time to enjoy a museum at their own pace.

What is your most memorable moment at a Great Escape?

Wow. That’s tough, but I think my most memorable moment was at a Great Escape that took place at a local ice skating rink. I saw a little girl get on the ice for her very first time—wheelchair and all. The look on her face as she twirled around the ice is one I will NEVER forget.

What are some of themes you try to capture in your photographs of Great Escape events?

I work very hard at capturing the ‘feel’ of an event and then I make an effort to get one good picture of every child. I’ve been photographing some of these kids since their very first Great Escape with Starlight, so to be able to look back and see them grow has been a real treat for me. And from what I’ve been told, it has been a treat for their parents as well.  

Is there one photo in particular of a Great Escape that you’re proud of? What is the story behind that photo?

I have a lot of favorites, but there is one picture I took of a father and son at the Children’s Museum’s holiday event that really stands out. There I was capturing photographs of each Starlight child as they built gingerbread houses when this little guy reached over and grabbed his dad. When I see that picture it just screams ‘love’ to me.  

Has a Starlight family member or child or staff person ever told you something meaningful about your work?

Yes, a Starlight father came up to me last year and said, “I’ve always known my daughter was beautiful, but I didn’t think anyone could see past all of this to see it, too.” He pointed to his daughter’s wheelchair and breathing apparatus and continued, “You managed to capture her as I see her. The photo you took of my daughter is the first thing I see when I wake up and the last thing I see before I close my eyes."

Starlight can certainly use more volunteer photographers. What do you get out of volunteering your time and your art? What message would you share with other photographers to encourage them to volunteer their time?

Any photographer who hasn’t spent time working free style should certainly come out and cover an event like a Starlight Great Escape. It’s actually quite exciting—you never know what you are going to get from month to month and working with kids certainly keeps you on your toes. It would serve many photographers well to learn that a paycheck means nothing compared to hearing a compliment like the one the little’s girl father gave me. It was priceless! That said, the rewards I get as a volunteer photographer for Starlight are too many to list and have had a great impact on my life. Working and spending time with these families and the people that work with them has changed my outlook on life for the better and I can’t imagine doing anything else.

To see some of Stacey’s work, please visit www.atxnonprofitphotography.com and click ‘Gallery.’

Stacey has also put together some photo videos of Starlight events-- Starlight Christmas in July 2010 and Starlight 2010—check them out!

By Starbright World Chat Host Rasa

Involuntary facial twitch

Tickle at back of throat

Shortness of breath

Big exhalation w/ loud involuntary sound

Deep breath in

Sigh out

R e l i e f .

Seizure? Intubator finally being pulled out? Asthma attack?

Naw…how ‘bout  just a good old fashioned knock-knock joke.

Laughter bathes the soul, lightens the life load, and makes colors just a bit more vibrant. When was the last time you laughed… tears streaming down your face, gasping for breath just a little bit? Close your eyes and please recall, for just a moment, that little rush that happens post belly laugh. 

In her article,The Healing Power of Humor on psychcentral.com, Maud Purcell (LCSW, CEAP) breaks down the physiological effects of laughter:

Reduces pain. Our bodies produce pain-killing hormones called endorphins in response to laughter.

Strengthens immune function. A good belly laugh increases production of T-cells, interferon and immune proteins called globulins.

Decreases stress. When under stress, we produce a hormone called cortisol. Laughter significantly lowers cortisol levels and returns the body to a more relaxed state.

The above science is proven daily in a special place called Starbright World® (SBW). On Starbright World, Starlight’s professionally moderated, online social network for seriously ill teens and their teen-aged siblings, community members log in seeking comfort ― and much of that comfort comes through laughter. Teens from all over the United States and Canada regularly login in order to LOL (Laugh Out Loud), ROFL (Roll on the Floor Laughing), LSHMBH (Laugh So Hard My Belly Hurts), or LTHTT (Laugh Too Hard To Type).

I originally became a Starbright World chat host hoping to entertain and delight sick teens. Imagine my surprise when I found that I ROFL just as much as they do. Never has a group of young people delighted me so, with their “OMGs”, pixie stick mucus, fart jokes (no, I am not beyond that), emo hair drama, and impromptu virtual :30 second guitar solos. During my chat host shifts, I find myself copy and pasting quotes on little sticky notes on my computer, referring to them when I need a little LOL.

I am fortunate to work in a place where we all grant each other the permission to laugh with one another (and at ourselves!) in the face of difficult realities such as breathing treatments, gargantuan pill organizers, bejeweled wheelchairs, long and frequent hospital stays ― situations that might feel unbearable if we had no one to share them with. Each laugh shared, lightens the load of someone who needs just a little help carrying their “stuff.” I witness it everyday. And  I love it. It is just as Victor Borge, the comic classical pianist, once said: “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” 

Time spent in Starbright World proves that hands down.

As you know, from now until November 30, Starlight corporate partner Wyndham Worldwide will donate $1 to its Wishes by Wyndham program for every new person who “Likes” the Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page—and now Wyndham is rewarding those who take action!

For every new person who “Likes” Wyndham Worldwide on Facebook, he or she can also enter their email address at  http://www.wyndhamworldwide.com/facebookrewards/ for a chance to win 25,000 Wyndham Rewards Points!

Each time the Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page gains 500 new fans, 25,000 Wyndham Rewards Points will be awarded to a randomly selected entrant. 

The 25,000 Wyndham Rewards points are enough for at least a free night stay at more than 6,000 participating Wyndham Rewards hotels or a wide range of other prizes, including tech gadgets, gift vouchers, event tickets and more! 

Again, to enter the contest you must “Like” Wyndham Worldwide on Facebook and enter your email address for a chance to win at http://www.wyndhamworldwide.com/facebookrewards/.

Good luck, and please spread the word!

 Key enhancements made possible by generous grant from signature sponsor Vivendi

Having a chronic or life-threatening medical condition makes it hard for teens to cope with the already difficult realities of being a teenager. Supporting a sibling with an illness can be daunting as well.

That is why Starlight created Starbright World, an online social network for sick teens and their teen-aged siblings—to provide a community of support and a much-needed distraction from daily struggles.

Over the past two years, Vivendi has provided leadership gifts for the critical preproduction and production phases of the Starbright World redesign, earning recognition as the signature sponsor of the site.

In late 2009, thanks to generous contributions through Vivendi’s Create Joy Fund, Starlight unveiled its next generation of Starbright World, which brought the latest in social networking technology to the site. Starbright World members connect with each other via chat, take part in virtual contests and games, and express themselves through stories, photos, videos, e-cards and personal profiles. 

Vivendi recently renewed its support of Starlight once again through ANOTHER generous award! The latest gift will be used to introduce new and enhanced features on Starbright World and keep the site on par with other popular social networks.

“We were so honored when Vivendi funded the rebuild of Starbright World,” said Jane Van Stedum, Interim Executive Director at Starlight. “Membership on the site is at an all-time high. Our teens report they absolutely love the new features, which allow them to find others with similar challenges and express themselves in a safe and accepting environment. Vivendi has been instrumental in ensuring that Starbright World incorporates cutting edge technology and remains an engaging hotspot—and emotional lifeline—for seriously ill teens.”  

Pending enhancements to Starbright World include one-way video conferencing, webinar functionality, additional instant messaging capabilities and a music player. The grant will also support 20/7 live chat hosting and site moderation as well as marketing and outreach to promote awareness and member recruitment.

Visit Starlight's press room to read a full press release that shares more about Vivendi's generous gift and how it will help Starbright World continue to satisfy the ever-changing expectations of its young community.

Keeping It Real* in Austin

By Mark Ford, Community Development Officer, Starlight Texas

Most people know that in Austin, it’s all about college football, live music and “keeping it real.”  In fact, as a tourist or a Texan, you can’t get very far without mention of one or all three. Austin is a city on the move, always growing and building, but it also feels like a college town with a thriving indie arts culture, world-class musical festivals and events that feature rising talent and celebrity guests. It is this community that brings us Austin DJ Troy Hemeyer.

When I met Troy three years ago at a fundraiser, I discovered someone with a strong sense of community and a desire to contribute. Troy was moonlighting as a talented DJ around town, so naturally I mentioned that I might need a DJ for Starlight events in Austin. Without hesitation, he offered to help and quickly became a new friend and a tremendous resource for Starlight in Austin. He also eventually joined Starlight Texas’ Leadership Council.

Last year, Troy created his own Starlight fundraiser, an event to capture the essence of Austin and celebrate his beloved community. He gathered his friends and family, and anyone else within reach, and hosted the first Starlight Showcase at Antone’s on 6^th Street, a well-known staple in the Austin live music scene. The first Showcase featured four bands and Troy as DJ. A very determined Troy heavily promoted the event around town, and about 100 guests attended. We felt good about launching a new event that built awareness for Starlight and the seriously ill children in Austin.

This year, Troy was determined to grow the Starlight Showcase. Competition for talent in Austin is steep, and getting the right bands is critical to the event’s success. Kudos to Troy, as the second annual Showcase was held on Aug. 26—and it had doubled in size from the year prior! The 200 guests enjoyed live performances by the Andy Barham Band, Nano, Esther LaVonne, and headliners, The Bright Light Social Hour (named 'Best New Band' by Rare magazine.) The night was an undeniable success, and thanks to pro bono public relations support from Golin Harris in Texas, it also received some notable media coverage.

The Andy Barham Band

Nano

The Bright Light Social Hour

Troy is already planning the third annual Starlight Showcase with intentions of continued expansion. “Look at the awareness we’re creating,” Troy said. “Next year, we will raise some serious cash.”

Even in this town choc full of heart and soul, it would be hard to match Troy’s heartfelt commitment to Starlight families. In Austin, Troy is keeping it real.

* Urban Dictionary definition for “Keeping it real” - trying to benefit the environment and society that surrounds you and serving humanity for the greater good.

Erika Goes 6 Miles and More for Seriously Ill Children

Her FirstGiving page starts off simple—“Hello, my name is Erika Schwerdtfeger, and I am 10 years old.” However, she’s nothing near simple. Erika is also nothing near ordinary.

What she is is one of Starlight’s youngest “do gooders,” doing what she can to brighten the lives of young people battling serious illness. And what makes Erika even more endearing is that her philanthropy began in the school yard.

At recess one day, Erika met two 1st graders with Down Syndrome. While her classmates busied themselves in play, Erika stayed behind with the young children, sitting them on her lap and teaching them how to say hello.

“I spent all my recess and all my lunch time playing with them,” Erika shares. “I then realized that I would love to spend time helping out kids with severe mental problems or very bad illnesses.”

She spent the next several weeks on her computer researching different organizations to raise money for until she finally came upon Starlight. First things first, she set up a FirstGiving page, her very own webpage that helped her share with the world what she was doing and track her fundraising progress.

With a goal of $3,000 Erika had to get creative. She also had to get to work.

With her mom at her side, Erika held a bake sale, selling homemade brownies, Rice Krispies treats, and lemonade to her neighbors. “When I told people what I was doing,” she says, “they were like ‘good job.’” The bake sale proved to be a great jump start for Erika’s efforts, raising $54.

Mom then came up with a bright idea that would attract sponsors and continue to get things moving—especially Erika—a six-mile walk from the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes to Lunada Bay.

Erika accepted the challenge, and in preparation, began conditioning herself for the long road ahead. Three times a week, Erika joined her mother and friends for long walks. She even sampled the route with a three-mile trial run.

When asked if all of the conditioning took a toll on her, Erika said it didn’t—but it did give her one nightmare. “I had a dream that I was in the middle of my walk and got distracted by the 100 people who were doing it with me. Next thing I knew, some alien popped out of nowhere and started to attack me!” she says with a giggle. The young girl settled her nerves with a trip to the kitchen a bowl of cereal.

When asked who her biggest supporter has been throughout her life as a young philanthropist, Erika credits her mom, who always manages to throw in a “Good job!” and “Nice!” when needed.   

And when August 29 finally arrived—Erika’s big day--her mom was there with her. Along with some friends and family.  

Young Erika—lover of trampolines, the color pink, and the Indiana Jones trilogy--accomplished her six-mile walk in approximately 1 hour and 59 minutes.

She also managed to raise an amazing $2,253.00.

When asked of her future in fundraising, Erika she says she will continue “earning” as much as she can. Mom has once again made a suggestion—a family garage sale—but Erika believes the situation is too easy. “I don’t want to raise money with my mom’s things. I want to earn money on my own.”

Most impressive.

And we’re very excited to see what comes next for this extraordinary—no where near simple—little girl.

Middle Photo:

Erika and friends climb a mountain. 

Bottom Photo:

Erika's Support Team

From top left: Soccer coach John, Stepdad Brian, friends John and Hannah, Mom Susan, and friend Laura.

From bottom left: Friend KK, Erika herself, friends Lu and Briana, and sister Kristyn. 

Other supporters not in photo: Dr. Laura H., Keith, Heather, Debbie, Corey, and Devon

Wishes by Wyndham, in turn, will make a donation to each of its signature charities, Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, Christel House International and Starlight, with an opportunity to reach up to a $60,000 donation (up to $20,000 per charity)!

To ‘Like’ Wyndham Worldwide or for more information, please visit www.facebook.com/wyndhamworldwide. In addition to supporting Wishes by Wyndham and its signature charities, the Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page provides fun and exciting content. From helpful travel tips and money-saving deals to information on all of its unique hospitality offerings, the Wyndham Worldwide Facebook page has something ‘For every kind of traveler. For Every Kind of Trip.’  

The campaign runs until November 30, so begin spreading the word! 

Going back to school CAN be all fun and games—ask our Starlight families in San Francisco, who recently gathered at a local Office Depot for a ‘Shop Till You Drop’ Great Escape.

Upon arrival, families were given a list of school supplies and told the supplies were hidden throughout the store. Their mission: to put their hunting skills to the test and find them!

Starlight children ran all around the store uncovering their hidden treasures. The extra bonus: they were able to pick supplies in their favorite color.

Single subject notebooks were also up for grabs. Starlight children were asked to place their hands inside backpacks—without any peeking!—to guess the mystery items that were inside.

Once a child collected all of his school supplies, he earned the opportunity to pick a backpack of his choice—with a little work involved. In each backpack, there was a clue. For instance, “I’m a math master. 1+1. 2+2. Any problem, I’ll solve for you. What am I?” Once a child has his answer, he would run through the store to find the item and claim his backpack.

(The answer was ‘calculator,’ by the way.) :)

The fun and unique backpacks given to Starlight children were generously donated by Angel Street Design.

Everyone caught their breaths later that evening at a pizza dinner, courtesy of Red Brick Pizza in Millbrae.

Tired, full and carrying backpacks filled with new supplies for the school year, families were sent home with Nubi Yogurt to enjoy the rest of their night.

Watch Starlight child Victor and his sister Sasha rummage through baskets full of school supplies to find four items marked with Starlight stickers. Listen closely to hear Victor announce, "I think I found one!" And then: "When are we going for pizza?"

Too cute. 

Thanks to the generosity of California Pizza Kitchen, more than 200 of Starlight’s seriously ill children and family members from the Los Angeles County area recently enjoyed a CPKids Camp Great Escape at Bonelli Park in San Dimas.

As a way to fuel the much-needed energy for the warm summer afternoon, California Pizza Kitchen provided delicious pizza, salad and pasta for the crowd.

After lunch, the fun began.

The picnic area came alive, thanks to the music of a live DJ. However, families created their own harmony—playing ping pong, giant Jenga and pick-up baseball, climbing rock walls, jumping in bounce houses, participating in potato sack races and dance freeze contests, receiving airbrush tattoos, and making arts and crafts. Children also competed for prizes in a prize walk—a modified version of the cake walk—and crossed their fingers in the hopes of being picked the lucky winner during a series of raffles.

Another big hit that afternoon were the StarPower Ambassadors, young recording artists and television and movie actors who use their time and energy on behalf of Starlight families, who arrived to take part in the festivities—Ashley Argota, Nathan Kress, Ashlee Keating, Joey Luthman, Austin Anderson, Allen Alvarado, and Savvy of the pop-duo Savvy and Mandy. The group helped the children set a fashion trend for the day: walking around in an autographed yellow CPKids Camp T-shirt.

Starlight volunteers and employees from California Pizza Kitchen’s local restaurants and corporate office volunteered their time to host the activities and spend time with the families.

All in all, the CPKids Camp Great Escape proved to be a great afternoon filled with play, friendship and lots of laughter.

For more than 25 years, Starlight has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. The CPKids Camp is part of Starlight’s Great Escapes program, group outings and events that provide families with a chance to bond and recharge outside the hospital environment and away from medical treatments, while at the same time connecting them with other families facing similar challenges to build a network of support.

This is the third year that Starlight and California Pizza Kitchen have partnered to bring CPKids Camp Great Escapes to cities across the country; twenty are scheduled to take place in 2010.

Through a network of chapters and offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.

To learn more, visit www.starlight.org/cpk. 

• MUVICO Baywalk 20 (FL)
• MUVICO Hialeah 14 (FL)
• MUVICO Parisian 20 (FL)
• MUVICO Palm Harbor 10 (FL)
• MUVICO Pompano 18 (FL)
• MUVICO Starlight 20 (FL)
• MUVICO Thousand Oaks 14 (CA)
• MUVICO Rosemont 18 (IL)

The festival will take place every Tuesday and Wednesday until August 18, 2010, and features special kid’s combos at concession stands. For each kid’s combo sold, Muvico will donate $1 to Starlight.

Visit www.muvico.com/freefilmfest for more information and please spread the word! 

She was air-vaced to The Arizona Burn Center where she spent six weeks receiving skin grafts and having surgeries. All in all, my little girl went under anesthesia seven different times. It was a horribly frightening and uncertain time for us both.

During our stay at the Burn Center, I noticed that renovations were underway on one of their treatment rooms. I learned later that it was to become a Starlight Site Care Room.

When it was finally unveiled, the stark, sterile treatment room had been completely transformed into a child-friendly, jungle-themed room complete with a flat panel television. Where before Kyiha saw that room as a place she didn’t want to go because she was going to get worked on she knew it would hurt, once the room was redesigned her entire outlook on treatments changed. There is so much to distract her! She’ll look around and point things out to me saying "Mommy, there’s a monkey" or "Look at that tree." Or she’ll watch her favorite cartoons on the TV. Her focus is no longer on what’s going to happen next.

We’ve been back to the Burn Center for more surgeries and numerous other procedures and still have a long way to go. Thankfully, Kyiha is so independent that she’s using both of her hands and has actually regained full range of motion. I’m grateful that the Starlight Site Care Room was there for us to make her recovery so much less frightening – it changed our experience.

-Jessica, Kyiha's Mommy

Thanks to Pepsi’s Refresh Project, Starlight has been given an amazing opportunity—the chance to transform drab and dreary treatment rooms at five hospitals across the country into beautiful Starlight Site™ care rooms that are more welcoming for children. 

We are calling on YOU to help us make this happen!

You know very well that a hospital treatment room can be a very scary place for children.

It is in these rooms where some of their most difficult and painful experiences occur, such as spinal taps, biopsies and other invasive exams.

With this in mind, and at the request of medical staff, parents and kids themselves, Starlight created its Starlight Site care room program.

One by one, Starlight has beautifully redesigned dreary and intimidating treatment rooms in hospitals across the country into warmer, kid-friendly environments that pediatric patients can relax and feel comfortable in during their hospital visits.

As we shared before, Starlight currently has the opportunity to give young patients at five hospitals their very own Starlight Site through Pepsi’s Refresh Project and the chance to win is in your hands! 

Pepsi is giving away millions of dollars to people, businesses, and nonprofits with ideas that will have a positive impact on the community. Each month, Pepsi awards 32 grants at various monetary levels to the proposal that receives the most votes.

Pepsi has selected Starlight to compete in the $250k category to receive funding to transform the care rooms of five different hospitals into Starlight Sites:

Maricopa Medical Center - Arizona

Los Angeles County USC Medical Center - California

Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital - Florida

UMass Memorial Children's Hospital - Massachusetts

Rainbow & Babies Children Hospital - Ohio

Now it’s your turn to help—vote to enable Starlight and these hospitals give young patients a Starlight Site that’ll make their hospital experiences just a little bit easier.

Visit http://www.refresheverything.com/starlight to place your vote for ‘Transform children's hospital treatment rooms from scary to friendly’ (under the Health category, $250,000 level). Starting now, vote for this idea everyday in August. Set a reminder for yourself—on your computer, refrigerator, bathroom mirror, etc.

The more votes this idea receives, the better the chance we have at winning, so do your part and spread the news with everyone you know.

Five hospitals. Thousands of votes. One goal.

‘Like’ Starlight on Facebook and follow it on Twitter to receive regular updates of our progress, tweets and posts you can share on your own social networks, and other fun information to keep you motivated.

Together, we can do this.   

Rana stopped by Starlight 365 to share more about the inspiration behind her books-'What Does It Mean To Be Global,' 'What Does It Mean To Be Green,' and 'What Does It Mean To Be Present?'--her own personal story, and how Little Pickle Press became involved with Starlight. While you're reading through our interview with Rana, learn how you can walk away with a grand prize by suggesting the next title for the 'What Does It Mean To Be...?' series. Also, Starlight supporters are able to purchase 'What Does It Mean To Be Present' at a discounted rate online. Receive a coupon code below!

Little Pickle Press Blog Book Tour of What Does It Mean To Be Present?
By Rana DiOrio, Illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

What inspired you to write the three part series What Does It Mean to Be Green, Global, and Present? Which book is your favorite? 

I wrote the series to explore the answers to these significant questions for my young children, who are now ages 6, 5, and 22 months. Each topic is vast on its own and important for children to understand. The books are intended to be conversation starters between a parent and child or a teacher and student and an opportunity to take a much deeper dive into the subjects. That’s how we use the books in our home.

As for my favorite book . . .? Wow, that’s a hard question! Although I am rather attached to each of the books for different reasons, if forced to choose, I’d say Present. It was so very meaningful for me to write, and the illustrations are extraordinarily thoughtful and breathtakingly beautiful.

After being a lawyer, investment banker, and private equity investor what made you become a children’s author?

Serendipity and entrepreneurism. The financial meltdown afforded me the opportunity to take some time off while pregnant with our third child. During that time, I wrote Green. Shortly after our son was born, I wrote Global, and during our first weekend my husband and I enjoyed away from the kids, I wrote Present. As I researched how best to get the books published, I realized that the publishing industry didn’t have all the answers and was experiencing a maelstrom of change. The entrepreneurial light bulb clicked on in my head, and I founded Little Pickle Press.

Where did the inspiration for ‘giving back’ (to a charity, society, etc…) come from?

My dad. My father has always given his time and expertise generously to nonprofit organizations, donated his resources, and encouraged my brother and me to do the same. He is remarkably selfless and committed to making a difference. As a young child I can remember “giving back” as a family. We always had people who needed a place to stay living with us temporarily. We participated in the fundraising efforts of the nonprofit organizations my dad supported. We volunteered on our own for various causes. In college, I was the Philanthropy Chairman of my sorority (for 2 terms). Now as a mother, I want my children to understand that there are others much less fortunate than we are and that they can make a difference in the lives of others and in communities. I try to foster empathy in my children, and I try to lead by example.

Where did you hear about Starlight and what made you want to get involved?

When I founded LPP, I wanted to identify a nonprofit affiliate partner who would understand our brand and who would be receptive to our offer of help. We made a list of specific criteria that mattered most to us and searched for quite some time before generating our list of top candidates. Starlight was at the top of our list. Our first conversations with the organization only served to galvanize our conviction to support Starlight. It has been a wonderfully successful and rewarding partnership.

What is your favorite Starlight - Little Pickle Press memory?

I was a guest at the annual Starlight Gala earlier this year. Just prior to Dionne Warwick’s grand finale performance, two Starlight youths, Spencer and Nikki, told the story of how they met and what their challenges had been over the years they had grown to know one another. Their stories moved me profoundly, and I started to cry (all over the special dress I had purchased for the occasion!). In poignant detail, they told the audience how much Starlight had meant to them and to their families. As their segment was drawing to a close, they dropped big news on us. Earlier in the evening Spencer had asked Nikki to marry him, and she accepted! My heart leapt in my chest, and I knew in that instant that Starlight was doing magical things in the lives of their children and their families.

Now that all 3 books in the series have launched, how do you plan to continue your charitable giving?

First of all, we are hopeful to continue the What Does It Mean To Be . . . ?™ series. In fact, as part of this blog book tour we have a Grand Prize Giveaway that will be awarded to the person who submits the best idea for the next book in the series. To participate, please submit your idea by following this link: http://littlepicklepress.blogspot.com/p/what-does-it-mean-to-be-contest.html.

Secondly, we have just hired a fabulous Director, Nonprofit Affiliate Partnerships. Her name is Maria Mostajo, and she splits her time between New York and Connecticut. She is responsible for forging relationships with other nonprofits, primarily schools and other youth organizations. She will ask these groups to introduce LPP into their respective communities and in exchange, LPP will donate ten percent (10%) of our book proceeds generated from the purchases made by that community to support it. If you have an idea for Maria, please contact her at maria@littlepicklepress.com.

What’s next on the agenda?

We’ve only just begun, so the agenda is very long and growing. We have two exciting new picture books coming out this Fall. One is written by an internationally-acclaimed education consultant, Dr. JoAnn Deak, Ph.D., and the other is written by a Bay Area freelance writer, Land Wilson. We have original music available for Global at www.cdbaby.com/cd/LittlePicklePressMusic and will soon have original music available for Green and Present. We are also in the process of developing an iPad application for Global.

Fun Facts about Rana

What’s your favorite book?
The Fountainhead

Who is your greatest inspiration?
Oprah

Where is your favorite spot to read a book?
At any beach on Martha’s Vineyard.

How do you stay green, global, and present?
Green: I listen to my children. They now know better than I do how best to keep our family and world green.
Global: I travel; I perceive; and I participate.
Present: I go to yoga!

Starlight receives 10% of the purchase price of 'What Does It Mean To Be Present,' which retails for $16.95. The book is available online at www.littlepicklepress.com and through other book sellers. Don't forget to use your coupon code, STARLGHT, to receive a discount. 

ABOUT STARLIGHT FLORIDA

Starlight Florida was founded in 1998 by visionary volunteers Jane Guterman and Nancy Shaller. The South Florida office was run by volunteers for the first four years, until a staff member was finally hired in 2002. In 2006, Florida expanded its Great Escapes program to Orlando and then added Jacksonville in 2007. Today, Starlight Florida touches the lives of more than 7,400 individuals through 55 hospitals and treatment centers across the state. In South Florida, Orlando and Jacksonville, we serve 593 families in our Great Escapes program, totaling 2,662 family members. With only six staff members across the state, we rely very heavily on our wonderful volunteers, whose support allows us to serve so many seriously ill children and their families.

AT-A-GLANCE: Starlight Florida's Programs, Fundraisers, Partners & Headlines

Sweet Swampy Safari

One hundred Starlight kids and family members from South Florida ventured out into the Everglades for a Great Escape at Billie Swamp Safari sponsored by The Wasie Foundation. The group was greeted by Starlight staff and volunteers who checked them in and set them up with arts and crafts projects, while they waited for the activities to begin. Children painted souvenir snakes and created frog door hangers. Each child and family member also received gift bags filled with snacks, water, safari hats, a fan and notebooks. Families went on a buggy swamp tour to see alligators, pigs, water buffalo, antelope and raccoons. They also viewed a native Seminole camp learning about Seminole traditions and history and watched a live critter show featuring armadillos, alligators, vultures and ferrets - learning about their natural habitats. To end the very full day, the families came together for dinner in a private dining room at the Swamp Water Café. Parents appreciated gas cards that we were able to give them to help with the costs for driving to a Great Escape event that was more than an hour away.

Walk of Stars Proves to be an Evening of Fun

Starlight Florida recently held its Hollywood-themed Walk of Stars fundraiser at Allied Kitchen & Bath in Fort Lauderdale raising nearly $2,000. Guests had the opportunity to walk the red carpet, glam themselves up with wigs, feather boas, hats, and masks, and pose for photos in front of a corvette. Guests explored Allied’s beautiful showroom, as they searched for their own Hollywood star and enjoyed a delicious array of food and drink showcased on the showroom’s gorgeous countertops. The event was completely underwritten by Allied, and plans are already in the works for a future event back at the showroom.

‘Afternoon Tea’ for Starlight’s Delight

Starlight Florida’s fifth annual Hats and Handbags afternoon tea was featured in the Society Scene section of the Sun Sentinel. Read the article here. 

Coach Inc. Wishes Starlight Kids a Merry Unbirthday

Starlight in Jacksonville was the beneficiary of Coach Inc.’s holiday fundraising efforts. Approximately $5,500 was raised, which in turn sponsored Jacksonville’s recent Very Merry Unbirthday Celebration Great Escape. Nearly 100 Starlight kids and their families were treated to the best birthday celebration ever.

THE STAFF AT STARLIGHT FLORIDA

Lori Labush, Office Manager - Lori joined Starlight in November 2007 and is responsible for assisting with all administrative needs and supporting the Development and Programs departments. She has a beautiful 8-year-old girl and an adorable 5-year-old boy. Lori loves animals, is very adventurous, and will try anything once!

Mary Ensor, Development Coordinator - “Being a part of the Starlight Florida team has truly been a great experience from the very beginning,” says Mary. Originally from St. Louis, MI, Mary loves the sunny South Florida weather and would never give up a day at the beach! In her spare time, Mary spends as much time outdoors as possible, horseback riding and attending lots of South Florida sporting events. 

Sasha Moon, Community Development Officer -  Sasha has been with Starlight Florida for more than two years and is frequently heard telling people how easy it is to fall in love with Starlight. Her other job is mom to two beautiful daughters, 5-year-old Sarah and 10-month-old Natalie. A proud Philadelphia native, Sasha and her husband Greg love to cheer on their beloved University of Florida Gators.

Amy Kerlin, Manager of Program Services - Amy recently joined Starlight after moving from Orlando. She is passionate about her work and in her spare time enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Beccy Hosoda, Orlando Great Escapes - Beccy joined Starlight four years ago to bring joy to Central Florida families dealing with serious illness. As her eldest son, Michael, was born with Spina Bifida, she is able to bring a unique perspective to the Great Escapes program and relate to the struggles of our Starlight families.

Amanda Eason, Jacksonville Great Escapes - Amanda is the wife of a loving and supportive husband, Mike, and mother to two growing boys, Jacob and Noah. As her eldest son, Jacob, was born with a severe congenital heart defect and received a heart transplant at six weeks of age, Amanda has spent many years volunteering with nonprofits in order to share her experiences with other families in similar circumstances. Three-and-a-half years ago, Amanda joined the Starlight Florida team and felt as if she had found home.

UPCOMING STARLIGHT FLORIDA FUNDRAISERS

Muvico Free Film Fest - through Tuesday, August 3

Hey Florida moms - there are still two more weeks to take advantage of this FREE family movie promotion and help Starlight!

An Italian Wine Tasting - Una Notte di Vino -  August 13

Begin your perfect Friday evening at the Wine Warehouse of Ft. Lauderdale, socializing with friends while sampling a special selection of Italian wines complimented by an array of wonderful Italian foods. Proceeds benefit Starlight. $20 mininmum contribution to participate. $25 minimum contribution includes a souvenir wine glass decorated by a Starlight family. Learn more here.

8th Annual Starlight Greater Golf Open -  October 29

It’s tee time! On October 29, play at the 8^th Annual Starlight Greater Open Golf Tournament at Jacaranda Country Club, benefiting the seriously ill children served by Starlight Florida. Entry fees are $250 per person or $800 for a foursome and cover green fees, an evening dinner reception and more. All proceeds benefit Starlight. Companies and golfers interested in sponsoring or participating should log onto www.starlight.org/florida/golf2010. Everyone from the serious golfer to the amateur golfer is invited to play.

STAY CONNECTED

Do you know of a family that can benefit from Starlight Florida's program? Have them call (954) 318-2178 or visit Starlight Florida's website at www.starlight.org/florida for more information. Starlight Florida is also on Facebook! Visit its page to stay connected.  

Are you looking to save time and money grocery shopping? 

Shopping Nanny provides a personalized online service for grocery shoppers to get store specials and coupons combined to maximize their savings – and support Starlight! This newly available solution is enthusiastically well received by customers, press and bloggers, but the exciting additional news is that the company is providing financial support to Starlight with a portion of every subscription fee – equaling a minimum unrestricted $50,000 donation each year for two years. 

“Shopping Nanny was always about giving back to the community, and with Starlight, there’s no better organization that focuses on helping seriously ill children as well as their entire family,” said Benoy Tamang, CEO, Shopping Nanny. “Shopping Nanny is growing rapidly, and we wanted to build in 0.5% of the revenues to be contributed towards Starlight to help these beautiful, innocent children cope with their daily struggles.  We get to help mothers at home and Starlight’s children whether they are at home or stuck in hospitals.”

Customers can join Shopping Nanny for $5.95 a month and have grocery coupons and store specials be combined to their online shopping list. There is no more need to clip coupons, sort, match and figure out how to save every time you go to the grocery store – the Shopping Nanny will perform that service with always current deals.

Visit www.shoppingnanny.com to learn more. 

You know, or at least remember, what it’s like to be a teen—fun, friends, hanging out, jokes. The world is at your fingertips. But have you ever stopped to think what it would be like to be a teen and be confined to a hospital bed or stuck at home for days, weeks on end because of a chronic or life-threatening illness? Imagine how it would feel to be left behind by friends. Imagine the loneliness, that feeling that you are missing out on all that life has to offer you.  

With this in mind, Starlight created Starbright World , an online social network for seriously ill teens, ages 13-20, and their teen-aged siblings. Whether from home or the hospital, members are able to get to know other teens across North America who are going through similar experiences. 

Help us bring these teens some hope, brighten their lives just a little, and give them something to look forward to by being a chat guest on Starbright World!

Starlight is calling on people with cool jobs—maybe like yours—to participate in Starbright World’s People with Really Cool Jobs chat series. Chat guests are able to pull up a chair at their home computer (or anywhere they have Internet access), log in, and start chatting away for an hour or so. An adult moderator is also available at all times in the chat room to help facilitate your chat and keep discussions on topic.

What can be expected during a guest chat? Teens might ask you how you got into what you do for a living, how they can get there too, or they may ask about your favorite TV show. The sky is the limit!

These special chats on Starbright World couldn’t come at a better time—during the summer, our teens report feeling lonelier than usual because they are often stuck in bed or at the hospital unable to visit family or hang out with friends. Being a chat guest can be a great summer treat!

If you are interested in participating, please email SBW@starlight.org. We can be flexible with your schedule and are looking for ongoing chat guests throughout 2010!

Many companies, college fraternities and sororities, community groups, families and individuals organize successful fundraising events to benefit Starlight.  Whether it is a traditional fundraiser or something completely new and different, these efforts bring in vital revenue that helps us reach out to more kids and families who need us, and introduces Starlight to new friends.

Here are some ideas great for the summer season—ideas that’ll get you outdoors to soak up the summer sun and help Starlight at the same time!

Picnic - Integrate a home run contest or bean bag tournament into your summer picnic. Charge a small fee to be a part of the competition.

Marathon, 5K, Walk-a-thon - Organize a small marathon for a cause. Participants can collect pledges for each mile they bike, walk, run or swim.

‘Star-BQ” – Hold a BBQ for friends and family and charge an entry fee or charge for each item consumed.

Boating day - Why not organize a day of boating for family and friends? (Perhaps have a pirate theme and be ‘marooned’ on an island with a seafood ‘Star-BQ?’)

Cookbooks – Ask your school friends, family or work colleagues to donate copies of their favorite summer family recipes to form a cookbook you can sell at your school or workplace.

Having a Summer Wedding? Start your marriage off generously by donating to Starlight on behalf of your wedding guests. In recognition of your donation, Starlight will provide you with customized acknowledgements for your guests in the form of gift cards, place cards or tabletop signage. Get more information at www.starlight.org/celebrations.

Benefit performance – Contact your local arts center, drama group, orchestra or choir and organize a summer benefit concert where proceeds raised are donated to Starlight.

Host a ‘Star-tini Party’ or Evening of Wine Tasting – Spend an evening having drinks or tasting fine wines with friends, family or work colleagues. Charge participants an entry fee that covers drinks, snacks and a donation to Starlight.

Golf Day – Hold a golf day for your work colleagues, clients and/or suppliers and name Starlight your charity of choice.

Raffle – Organize prizes to raffle off at your workplace or school. Raffle ideas include grilling tool kits, picnic baskets, etc. Ask local businesses to support you in donating prizes!

Karaoke Night – Why not hold a karaoke night for your friends and family or for your work’s next social function?

Sleepover Under the Stars - Be a bit adventurous and get your school or local group (Guides, Scouts, sporting club) to hold a special outdoor sleepover.

Kite Flying Competition – Why not hold a family day with a picnic in the park and kite flying? 

Bowling Competition – Find out who the best bowler is among your family and friends by testing their skills in a sponsored bowling tournament – for the professionals, try it blindfolded!

Celebrating a Birthday?– Announce your birthday milestone and what it means to you through a Starlight personal fundraising Web page. Or, are you a parent planning a birthday party for your special kid? Then have an Echoage party, where you’ll get help with invitations and RSVPs and Starlight will share in the gifts to your child – it’s fun and easy and a great way for your child to share his or her good fortune with the special kids of Starlight. Visit www.starlight.org/celebrations to learn more.

On July 10, 2010, Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim presented a new Starlight Fun Center to Children’s Hospital Orange County (CHOC) for its young patients and families as part of the festivities of the 2010 MLB All-Star Week and MLB's 'Going Beyond' initiative, which is expected to raise $5 million for local and national charities as part of this year’s MLB All-Star Week in Anaheim and the surrounding areas.

Amber Ayala, Child Life Activity Specialist at CHOC, shares more about the Fun Center’s dedication ceremony and the positive impact Fun Centers have on her young patients. 

By Amber Ayala

On Saturday, July 10, CHOC Children’s had the privilege of hosting approximately 50 members of Major League Baseball, Starlight Children’s Foundation and Angels baseball for a ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of a Starlight Fun Center placed at CHOC hospital for its patients.  The event was held amid exciting activities surrounding the 2010 All-Star Game week.

Patients mingled with future MLB players, made crafts and played with the Starlight Fun Center during the event festivities. The Angels Strike Force girls and various team mascots joined in on the fun as well. The donation brought smiles to our patients and they were grateful to accept the unit--containing a Nintendo Wii gaming system, a DVD player, and a Sharp AQUOS™ LCD television--that will provide countless hours of fun for CHOC patients.

A child's need to play is more than just fun and games. Through play, children learn about the world, expand their minds and stimulate their imaginations. Children face the stress and anxiety that comes with a hospital stay and need the healthy benefits of play. The Starlight Fun Center mobile entertainment unit will add to a happy and positive patient experience. As a distraction tool, it will help patients forget about their pain through fun play at bed side, before surgery or when in isolation rooms.

We thank the MLB, Angels baseball and Starlight Children’s Foundation for giving CHOC Children’s such a generous and beneficial gift!

Since the start of Starlight's partnership with Major League Baseball in 2005, we have placed more than 40 Fun Centers in hospitals across America. The Starlight Fun Center that was dedicated on July 10 is CHOC's fourth unit and will be housed on the third floor of the hospital in its oncology center.

Teenager Shannon shares how Great Escapes helped her family after her brother became ill.  

When my brother was sick, the whole family was put in a rough situation. Times were hard, and all we needed was a break. When Starlight brought its programs and events to us—not just to my brother, but to ALL of us—we were finally given that escape we needed. Instantly, we had a new member of the family—Starlight.

I like attending Starlight’s Great Escapes because every event is different, but fun no matter what. I also love being surrounded by Starlight families. We all get to connect with one another and talk about all that we’re going through as a sibling, as a parent, or as the children or teen who is ill. 

My favorite Great Escapes memory has to be when Starlight families were invited to go bowling in Carson, CA, last summer. It was one of my family’s first Great Escapes, and I got to meet Corbin Bleu, Dave Koz, and StarPower Ambassadors Rob Pinkston, Austin Anderson and Kay Panabaker. They were all very friendly—and continue to be whenever I see them! The biggest surprise of the day was when John Stamos showed up. He has been my celebrity crush since I was a little girl. When I saw him I was in shock—it was so funny. I finally went to talk to him, and it was such a relief to learn that he’s such a nice guy.

"You're my favorite actor," I told him.

He replied, “Well, you’re my favorite Shannon that I’ve ever met."

Meeting him was a dream come true, and I'll never forget that day.

The prom I attended recently with my brothers was also a really incredible experience. My brothers and I loved getting all dressed up. When we got there, we were given the choice between flowers or corsages to go with our outfits—I felt so special. Then we walked the red carpet to pose for pictures. Everything and everyone looked so amazing. I quickly spotted Monique Coleman and Anna Kendrick—the event’s celebrity guests. The food was catered from Wolfgang Puck, and it was the best food I've ever had. As the evening went on, we were entertained by a professional magician, awesome break dancers and a caricature artist, and danced to the music of some really cool DJs. We also had our pictures taken in this awesome photo booth that was a lot of fun. My brothers and I had a great time dancing the night away on the dance floor with each other and our Starlight friends. It was a night filled with memories and fun that we'll never forget.
Starlight is so great. I didn’t lie earlier when I said that its staff and StarPower Ambassadors are like a second family. I’m happy to report that my brother is getting better now, and I’ll always have Starlight to thank for giving us those fun times we missed out on when he wasn’t doing so great. 

"This program rewards individuals and companies for being Starlight donors,” said Neotrope CEO, Christopher Laird Simmons; a member of PRSA and ASCAP. “Everyone has something to promote. If you make a small donation, you get an opportunity to publicize your company, your book, blog, gallery showing, or whatever “newsworthy” event or endeavor you may want to publicize. It’s a win-win for everyone."

Donors will have until July 31 to make a qualifying donation at www.starlight.org/promotions. If they choose to donate $100 or more, donors will have the option to choose other Send2Press services at a discount (such as $100 off of a nationwide targeted media blitz). Neotrope’s Send2Press services can be utilized no sooner than 3 days from the date of the donation and no later than October 1, 2010. 

“Thanks to Neotrope’s generosity and pro bono public relations support of Starlight over the last year and a half, we know how valuable its PR distribution service is,” says Jenny Isaacson, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Communications, Starlight. “We hope that many people and businesses will make a donation and start to use Neotrope’s Send2Press service as a result. It’s a wonderful opportunity to easily support Starlight and get some real value for your donation.”

Getting ready to spend your holiday weekend with family, friends and fireworks? We invite Starlight friends and families to spend it with us at Qdoba, too!

To celebrate Independence Day this weekend, July 3 – 5, Qdoba will be hosting a Kids Eat Free Weekend at all of our corporate locations. The weekend offer includes one free Kids Meal for children ages 12 or under with the purchase of one regular entrée and kids, you will have to accompany Mom and Dad in order to receive the free meal! :)

You can enjoy some of your Qdoba favorites, like a Lil’ Chicken Naked Burrito®, Lil’ Chicken Quesadilla, a single taco, a Lil’ Cheese Quesadilla or a vegetarian Naked Burrito®. You also get a choice of a side item – either applesauce, 100% vegetarian beans or handmade tortilla chips – and one beverage – 100% juice, 1% milk or a small fountain drink – with your meal, too!

So if you live in the following areas and want to take a break from BBQing, stop in and see Qdoba this weekend! Denver and Colorado Springs, Seattle, St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Western Michigan, Southern California, Boston, New York City, as well as some locations in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Minneapolis. Please visit www.qdoba.com to find the Qdoba nearest to you and be sure to check with your local restaurant to find out if they are participating in the upcoming Kids Eat Free weekend!

We hope to see many of your faces this weekend to celebrate Independence Day with us! Hope everyone has a relaxing and safe holiday weekend! 

We love working with Starlight! And if you want to learn more about what Qdoba and Starlight are doing together to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families, check out www.starlight.org/qdoba. 

Doug Thielen
Qdoba Mexican Grill

With some of the things we’ve asked him to help us with, we’re sure that sometimes Jeff wants to take that question back.

It’s Jeff’s dedication—and his ability to always provide great service to us with a smile—that makes us so lucky to have him and the hundreds of others who serve as volunteers for Starlight across the country.

Not only are our Starlight volunteers passionate about making a difference in the lives of seriously ill children—they’re also fascinating people.

And Jeff is no exception.

We sat down with Jeff to learn more about his life outside of Starlight, and how he’s using his passion for photography to not only express himself, but also raise some money for Starlight.

Jeff, share a little about yourself with our readers. We’re giving you five sentences.

I was born in 1978 in Santa Monica, CA. I stayed local for my schooling and attended USC, where I graduated with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Music has been a large part of my life since I can remember and has progressed from playing classical pieces in a recital hall to shared creations on a band stage. I agree that a life lived for others is a life worth living, and that to give is to receive.

Why is Starlight special to you? 

Starlight’s purpose is one of service—and helping others, especially children that are ill, is one of the most beautiful things that exist. Starlight’s staff puts on fun events for its families, raises funds and spirits, and uses its intellect and passion all for the betterment of those who need it.   

Starlight has the ability to fill any space with opportunity--the opportunity for laughter and heartfelt connections. Starlight also gives people like me the opportunity to provide service.  

How long have you been volunteering at Starlight? What makes you volunteer? 

I’ve been volunteering at Starlight for more than a year. Giving what I can to help support Starlight’s mission is what makes me volunteer—even if it includes office work or keeping busy at an event or even messaging thousands of online supporters. I believe in what Starlight is doing, and whichever way I can be of service, I’ll do it. I know that I’m indirectly helping Starlight families by directly helping Starlight employees. 

I also volunteer my jokes to the Starlight staff, and I think they volunteer a laugh in return… 

Jeff, aside from being a volunteer in your free time, you’re also an artist. How did you get started with your art? 

When I was a child, I would frame shots through my small viewfinder. I was always in awe of how it felt seeing scenes and situations from a different perspective. I quickly picked up on the beauty and decision involved in choosing a scene: what will appear in the picture, what will be featured, and what will be centered. 

However, it wasn’t until the digital age that I truly felt free with photography—the freedom to take as many pictures as I wanted without having to worry about exposure, aperture, or the cost of film.

Describe your art. What most captures your interest?

My art attempts to inspire joy, curiosity and endlessness. I can see these things when my mind stops and the subject takes center stage. A butterfly, light shining through treetops, water traveling down a path or being lifted as a wave; noticing their existence gives them voice and inspires me to share it in my art.

Your art is currently up on exhibit in Santa Monica—congratulations! How did you come to the decision to donate 25 percent of all proceeds from the exhibit to Starlight?

I wish to support Starlight however I can, and a public art exhibit is a wonderful opportunity to raise funds and gain exposure for Starlight.

Know, Jeff, that we appreciate it!  

‘Art by Jeff’ is on exhibit in Santa Monica at the 17^th Street Café (located at 1610 Montana Avenue) now until August 11. To learn more, visit www.seventeenthstreetcafe.com.   

Did Jeff inspire you to consider volunteering for Starlight? The fun awaits at www.starlight.org/volunteer.

Back in 2008, one of my dear friends from college who works at Starlight New England called and asked me help her with a little something she called the “STARmazing Race.”

I thought it would be fun, so I flew up to Boston—and actually ended up helping her A LOT before the big day. We ran errands, picked up race items, decorated and packed gift baskets, and stuffed 200 mugs with donated movie passes, candies and other fun novelties.

Despite all my help, I was never given a single hint or clue to help me during the race the next day.  

Anyway, Saturday came and it was a chilly one. However, the excitement in the air out staged the weather.  My team was comprised of my best friends from college—Ethan, Mikey and Ryan. It was great to see random people there for the race and the Starlight families that arrived to take part in the fun. One Starlight family—a mother and father and their two sons—wore pink and blue Mohawk wigs. 

The race started and my team was suddenly overcome with the desire to not actually start solving clues, but to start earning bonus points and that’s when our eyes focused on an oldies radio station booth set up across the way.

Target ahead, we made our mad dash. Our task: to get on the air.  

The disk jockey asked me to introduce the next band and song that was about to be played. I blanked, of course, and blurted out something like, “We’ve just started the STARmazing Race! Wish us luck!”

All that matters is that we got the bonus point, ok?

Task accomplished, it was time to start solving clues, but after a few we decided to stick to our strategy of just earning those bonus points—the stunts were just too fun to pass up!

One specifically that I remember was getting our hands on a “fish head.” It was my idea to get some Swedish fish and bites the heads off. Technically, Swedish fish are fish. There was this other team that crossed our path that actually bought a fish from a store, and then went to a restaurant and asked for a knife to cut the head off. Hilarious.

In the end, it took about 3-4 hours to finish everything. We had two clues left, and we were exhausted. 

The second to last clue asked how many bronze ducklings are walking behind the bronze mama duck in one of the parks in Boston. We didn’t have the energy to run all around the park, so we decided to skip that one. Then, as fate would have it, as we made our trek along Newbury Street, we passed a man selling paintings. And guess what? He had a painting of that duck sculpture! We got our answer.

Our last clue was a blindfolded taste-test of ice cream. Since I am a chef, my team decided I would be the best choice for the challenge. I braved a spoonful of cookies and cream ice cream.

After we got that last clue, we ran to the finish line at the Prudential Building. We weren’t the first to get back, but we also weren’t the last so I was ok with that. Qdoba had donated lunch for all the participants and volunteers, so we all shared a great meal.

The winners were called after lunch. A Starlight family came in first place.

I would definitely do the STARmazing Race again. It is a lot of fun to run around Boston, trying to figure out clues, learning things about the city you never knew…and earning all those bonus points! 

It is also great knowing you are supporting an awesome cause like Starlight!

The hours pass slowly.

There are few activities to keep you entertained.

Or to make you smile.

Or laugh.

Now imagine going through all of this as a child. 

Working closely with seriously ill children and their families for more than 25 years, we understand what families go through when a child is sick and hospitalized, and how important it is to find relief from constant worry and isolation.

One of the ways in which we make hospital stays for children a little less scary and a little more enjoyable is through an entertainment unit on wheels—the Starlight Fun Center.

Starlight Co-founder Peter Samuelson shares the epiphany he had several decades ago that jumpstarted the Fun Center Program—now a cornerstone here at Starlight.

In 1985, I visited County USC Hospital in Los Angeles. I was planning the Starlight Room there, but in addition, I met a little boy confined to a hospital bed in orthopedic traction. I realized he would not even be able to get to the Starlight Room.

The boy’s room was empty. Lonely. He watched a grainy, black-and-white television set up on a shelf across the room.

I asked a nurse how the boy changed the channels, as he clearly could not get out of bed. The nurse asked the boy to demonstrate.

Using an 11-foot bamboo pole with an eraser strapped to one end with surgical tape, the child reached across the room to the TV, attempting to poke the buttons to change the channel.

That sight was my epiphany: I realized that pediatric patients needed easy access to electronics and entertainment while in their hospital beds. It seemed crazy that if audio-visual technology existed in the world, none at all had made it into this children’s ward.

As I was leaving the hospital, I saw a lunch trolley on wheels and took note of its manufacturer. Within days, I bought one.

I then contacted Bobadilla Cases, a company that manufactured suitcase-sized boxes to protect my professional production equipment when we shipped it. I asked for a box to be designed that could sit on top of a lunch trolley base, slide over and under the bed for stability and protect equipment such as televisions, VCRs and Nintendo’s earliest gaming unit—the 8 bit Nintendo Entertainment System. And without too many confusing buttons on the outside.

I had an idea of what I wanted to create and sketched it on paper. I couldn’t draw in three dimensions, so I had to find a designer. But that’s what producers do. The secret is not to actually know the detailed skills, but to find the right experts and then doggedly keep them focused on your goal.

Once I had my prototype, early Starlight supporter Michael Milken wrote Starlight a check to cover the electronics necessary to produce the first 100 units—called “Starlight Fun Centers.”  

Several years later, I had a second epiphany: instead of buying so many Nintendo gaming units, why not approach Nintendo to explore the possibility of partnering to create Fun Centers?

In the late 1980s, I visited Nintendo of America’s headquarters in Redmond, WA.  Nintendo quickly embraced the Fun Center concept and offered up its own in-house experience and capabilities to design a better unit. We consulted hundreds of Child Life professionals around the country. They told us things like “Don’t make the top flat: the kids put their orange juice cups up there, and they spill down the ventilation slots into the electronics!” The result: the second-generation of Fun Centers—The Blue Box.

The rest, as they say, is history…

Fun Center sponsorship is currently $4,250 which includes the cost of the unit, all taxes, shipping and administration, and repair and maintenance for the life of the Fun Center by dedicated Starlight staff. Sponsors are identified by a permanent adhesive sign on the Fun Center unit, showcasing their generosity for years to come.

For more information about Fun Center sponsorship opportunities, visit www.starlight.org/funcenter.

To view the current list of hospitals that have requested Fun Centers and are on a wait list, click here.

If you would like to sponsor a Fun Center for a specific hospital in your community or a hospital from Starlight’s wait list, please contact info@starlight.org or call 1-800-315-5280.

If you are a hospital or medical facility that would like to be added to the Fun Center wait list, visit www.starlight.org/funcenter.

Starlight and Fandango, the nation's leading moviegoer destination, have partnered for a charity campaign centered on the release of Sony Pictures highly anticipated “The Karate Kid,” starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan.

The film will be released in theaters nationwide on Friday, June 11, 2010.

During a two-week period that starts June 7 and runs through June 20, Fandango has committed to donate $1 to Starlight for every ticket to “The Karate Kid” sold on Fandango, up to $25,000.

See below for geographic limitations.*

Purchasing your tickets through Fandango will help to brighten the lives of Starlight’s children and their families--and trust us, a dollar really does go a long way here at Starlight: 

• $1 enables a child with cancer to play video games for almost an entire day on a Starlight Fun Center™ while going through chemotherapy.

• $1 enables a teen who is too sick to leave home to spend one day finding supportive friends on Starlight’s Starbright World™ social network.

• $1 also helps a family get a day away from hospital treatments to have fun at a Starlight Great Escapes™ event.

“Fandango and Sony understand the magic of entertainment and its importance in restoring some of the laughter and happiness that illness takes away,” says Starlight CEO Paula Van Ness. “We are so honored to be the beneficiary of this campaign and excited for Fandango to involve a film as classic and heartwarming as ‘The Karate Kid.’ "

Using your next family movie night to pass along the gift of entertainment to Starlight’s 3 million family members in North America--now THAT's the ultimate moviegoing experience!

THE KARATE KID
In Columbia Pictures' The Karate Kid, 12-year-old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) could've been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother's (Taraji P. Henson) latest career move has landed him in China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying - and the feeling is mutual - but cultural differences make such a friendship impossible. Even worse, Dre's feelings make an enemy of the class bully, Cheng. In the land of kung fu, Dre knows only a little karate, and Cheng puts "the karate kid" on the floor with ease. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life.

* Only available in the U.S., but not eligible for purchases made in AL, HI, IL, MA, ME, OK or SC. This purchase is not tax deductible.
on the World Wide Web at www.sonypictures.com.

Read the article in its entirety here, to learn what leaders of company foundations, giving officers and corporate executives have to say about the need for corporations to find opportunities to use their business skills to advance social causes, as traditional philanthropy is no longer enough.

Included is an interview with Western Union CEO Christina Gold who shares her company’s targeted approach to philanthropy and how it is “making a difference in the lives of people around the world.” Western Union’s five-year, $50-million Our World, Our Family program helps migrants with scholarships, job preparedness, training in personal finance and business skills, and other kinds of assistance.

Now help us win up to $15,000 from eBay and a nice $500 for yourself, thanks to eBay’s ‘Who's Your Favorite?' campaign and sweepstakes

eBay has just launched a new tool, appropriately called My Favorite Nonprofit, that allows eBay users to choose Starlight as their favorite nonprofit, which will allow them to make a small $1 donation to Starlight upon checkout or consider donating a percentage of an item they are selling back to Starlight.

If you name Starlight your favorite nonprofit during eBay's 'Who's Your Favorite?' campaign, which runs now through July 4, you can also enter a $500 sweepstakes and help Starlight win a $15,000, $10,000 or $5,000 grant if we are deemed most popular!

Help keep Starlight ahead!

TELL eBAY NOW THAT STARLIGHT IS YOUR FAVORITE NONPROFIT BY VISITING STARLIGHT’S ‘ABOUT MY NONPROFIT’ PAGE AND PRESSING THE ‘SAVE AS FAVORITE’ BUTTON! You’ll need to eventually use your eBay account to log in.

Don’t have a eBay account? Then create one. It’s simple to sign up and absolutely free. 

Also, be sure to check out the cute video StarPower Spokesperson Bailee Madison made for our cause while on location in Hawaii for her new movie “Just Go With It,” starring Jennifer Aniston and Adam Sandler.

Remember, after you add us as a favorite, be sure to enter the “Who’s Your Favorite?” sweepstakes for a chance to win a $500 eBay Gift Certificate for yourself and a $500 donation to Starlight, in your name!

Still have questions? Visit eBay’s "Who's Your Favorite?" campaign page for more information.

Be sure to spread the word about the My Favorite Nonprofit campaign to let your friends know about this opportunity!

Donate your Facebook/MySpace status to us, and copy and paste this to share:
Do your part to help Starlight brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families! Help Starlight stay on top in eBay’s 'Who's Your Favorite?' campaign! Learn more at www.starlight.org/blog.aspx and make the few simple clicks necessary to select Starlight as your fave nonprofit. The more designations, the better the chances Starlight has at winning up to $15,000! So take action, and spread the word now until July 4.

Send out a few Tweets for us, and copy and paste this to share:
@ebaygiving my #favNPO is @starlightonline! I did my part to help Starlight win up to $15,000 by visiting http://mynonprofit.ebay.com.

Win Glee! Live 2010 tickets in New York City and autographed picture of Harry Shum, Jr. (who plays character Mike Chang)

Glee! Live 2010
Saturday May 29th at 8:00 pm
Radio City Music Hall – New York City
1260 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
2 seats Mezzanine 1, Row B Seats 401-402

PLACE YOUR BIDS at www.ebay.com/starlight!!! All proceeds come back to Starlight. 

These are AMAZING seats! Right in the middle on the first tier so you will have the best view of the whole production from the floor!

These are personal tickets donated by Glee star Harry Shum Jr.! This means they are some of the best seats in the house, and your winning bid also comes with an autographed picture from Harry himself!

About Harry: Harry Shum Jr.'s character on Glee is Mike Chang --- a football player who joined the Glee Club and is a staple part of the casts 12 person Glee Club.   Harry can also be seen in a starring role on the web series "LXD" - Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. The upcoming project which features incredible dancing is the opening act of Glee Live.  For more info on the show, visit www.gleetour2010.com.

Note: Tickets will be FedExed to the winner as soon as payment clears. Transportation/flight and lodging are not included in this auction.

 Chime was created pro bono by music game specialists Zoë Mode. It is a unique block puzzle game fused with music creation elements and contributions from a number of famous musicians like Moby, Paul Hartnoll (of Orbital) and more! The game is playable only through XBOX Live Arcade, the online games portal available to Xbox360 owners all over the world.

 Instructions on how to participate are below. The fun all takes place on Thursday, May 20, 6am-10pm (PT)! Winners announced on Friday, May 21. Best of luck to you!

Here’s how to participate via Facebook:

1.       ‘Like’ OneBigGame on Facebook by going to http://www.facebook.com/pages/OneBigGame/160184652267, and if you haven't already, 'Like' Starlight also at www.facebook.com/starlightchildrensfoundation.

2.       Post on OneBigGame’s wall on Thursday, May 20, between the hours of 6am-10pm (PT): “Enter me in Starlight and OneBigGame’s Chime giveaway!” To remain qualified to    participate in the giveaway, you MUST post this exact sentence AND ‘Like’ OneBigGame and Starlight on Facebook.

3.       Giveaway open to all Facebook users. No purchase necessary. Note: Chime is available via download for Xbox Live Arcade only.

4.       Winner will be notified by direct message on Friday, and winner should follow the directions in that message. A winner must reply by email with his/her full name, email address, and phone number within 24 hours of his/her winning notification.

Here’s how to participate via Twitter:

1.       Follow OneBigGame on Twitter by going to www.twitter.com/onebiggame, and if you haven't already, also follow Starlight at www.twitter.com/starlightonline.

2.       Tweet on Thursday, May 20, between the hours of 6am-10pm (PT): "@StarlightOnline @OneBigGame Enter me in the Chime giveaway!” To remain qualified to participate in the giveaway, you MUST post this AND follow OneBigGame and Starlight on Twitter.

3.       Giveaway open to all Twitter users. No purchase necessary. Note: Chime is available via download for Xbox Live Arcade only.

4.       Winner will be notified by direct message on Friday and winner should follow the directions in that message. A winner must reply by email with his/her full name, email address, and phone number within 24 hours of his/her winning notification.

“My wife, the mother of my three beautiful children, exemplifies all that we celebrate this Mother’s Day,” Starlight Father “Big” Joe wrote to me in an email. What followed was an incredible story about strength, grace and love shared by a little boy and his mother.

Here at Starlight, we never cease to be amazed by the families we serve and are so honored when they open up their lives to us and pass along some kind words about the help we provide to seriously ill children.

We decided to share this family's story for Mother’s Day as a way to help us pay tribute to all of the mothers out there who hold their families together in the face of illness.

I invite you to read the story and share your thoughts and feelings with us. 

And now…

Little Joe’s Story

This Mother’s Day, I am writing to tell you about my amazing wife. I also want to commend Starlight--an organization that helps thousands of families like ours as we cope with serious illness, separation, fear and isolation. Nobody should have to deal with a child's serious illness alone, and that's why we're grateful that Starlight is there for families when we need them most. Our story has a happy ending, and I give my wife a lot of credit for helping all of us get through the tough times.

I chose Mother’s Day as the most fitting time to tell this story because my wife, Liz, is the most courageous and amazing mother I know - and because she is the mother of my three beautiful children.

My name is Joe, also known as “Big Joe” by my family and friends. I’m in the Army and have served most of the last seven years in Iraq and South Korea.

I was deployed to Iraq when my wife was 6 months pregnant with our first child. When “Little Joe” was born on July 7, 2003, I wasn’t able to come home but that didn’t stop us from celebrating his birth together by phone and through the Internet. 

Our joy quickly turned to concern over the next few weeks when Little Joe became very sick. Liz kept taking him to the doctor, but each time they assured her that he was fine, saying that her “new mom stress” and my deployment were causing her undue anxiety. But weeks passed, and Joe began to lose a lot of weight. At 6 weeks old he had dropped from 11 to only 8 pounds. It was clear something was very wrong, and so our tiny baby was admitted to the hospital.

I came home on emergency leave in November of 2003 for one of Little Joe's surgeries and was able to stay for 2 weeks with my wife in the Ronald McDonald House.

This was the first time I met my son. He was only 4 months old, yet I could see that like his mommy, he was a fighter. Liz and Little Joe would spend much of the next 2 1/2 years at the hospital, including 17 months of inpatient time.

Little Joe had severe gastrointestinal problems, but the source of those problems was still undetermined. He endured many surgeries and the installation of a feeding tube. While my wife was scared and oftentimes alone, the hospital staff and our Army family remained a huge comfort for her.

Little Joe continued to fight. Finally, after months of fear and anxiety, we discovered Joe had gastrointestinal eosinophilia, a disease where his body attacks "foreign" bodies which includes most foods. Grateful we had an answer, we finally we got Little Joe stable enough to attend preschool.

Eventually, he began to spend more time at home instead of the hospital.

Today, Little Joe is 7 years old and has a little brother and sister. He is still fed a prescription formula through a GI tube and has to take six different medications every day. Normal social functions like birthday celebrations, church potlucks and parties at school are especially difficult since so many revolve around food. But no matter what, Joe keeps smiling! He is an outgoing and caring little boy.

We pray some day there will be a cure for his condition, but can’t be sure what the future holds for him. We know it’s likely that he will need more surgery and medical procedures if he becomes unable to tolerate even the prescription formula.

My wife has never been one to ask “why us?” While I was deployed, she held our family together and fought to get Little Joe the care he needed.

Liz is the heart of this family. I am awed by her courage and determination.

I work in the Armor branch of the Army, meaning I work with tanks. Tanks are behemoth and meant to withstand front line combat. I know firsthand what strength means. On the battlefield even the toughest soldiers get scared at times. And in the battle to save our son’s life, my wife stood down her fear and anxiety and dealt with every challenge that came her way. Thousands of miles away, all I could do was reassure her that she wasn’t really alone. To me, my wife exemplifies the strength, grace and love that defines “mom.”

Liz often shares our story so that other families in similar situations can find courage and hope in our shared experiences. Starlight helps families like ours find support every day as we struggle to deal with the serious illness of our child. Starlight understands how important it is for families like ours to know that we are not alone.

I hope that you might consider supporting Starlight today in honor of Little Joe’s mommy, and all the mothers, fathers and unsung heroes who hold their families together in the face of serious illness. Maybe you’d like to pay tribute to your own mother or another mother who has touched your life in a meaningful way.

I can tell you that having an organization like Starlight makes a world of difference for families like mine. When times are tough, it is truly comforting to know you are not alone.

Please do what you can to help.

Sincerely,

Big Joe

P.S. If you like, Starlight will send a special tribute letter to the mom you’d like to honor with a gift. I can’t think of a nicer way to say thank you to the strong, courageous women in our lives.

What does it mean to be green?

Does it mean being good with plants? No.

Does it mean feeling sick in the car? No.

Does it mean looking a frog, or a pickle, or an alien? No.

So, what does it mean to be green?

Here’s a little book with all the answers…

Author Rana DiOrio celebrated Earth Day with the release of her second book, What Does It Mean To Be Green?, during a book-signing celebration filled with music, earth-friendly crafts and food sourced from local gardens. The event brought families to Marin Art & Garden Center and benefited the EcoMom Alliance.

What Does It Mean To Be Green? is a colorful and insightful story which helps children view everyday tasks through an environmentally-friendly lens. The book empowers children to do whatever they can to protect the earth's precious resources. From writing on both sides of the paper to turning off the water when brushing their teeth, children learn and delight in helping take care of the earth. Don't be surprised if they start coming up with suggestions of their own for you! 

Starlight receives 10 percent of the purchase price of this book, which retails for $16.95. What Does It Mean To Be Green? is available online alongside What Does It Mean To Be Global? at Little Pickle Press' website and through specialty book stores and retailers.

Later this month, members of Starlight’s online social network Starbright World will have the ability to connect throughout the site in English, Spanish or French.

With generous sponsorship by Starbright World’s signature sponsor, Vivendi, and the utilization of Google’s AJAX API language tool, Starlight is now able to introduce Starbright World in a multi-lingual format. Members can view content in English, Spanish or French, and also “hover” over content to view its translation in the original language in which it was entered.

Now seriously ill teens all across North America will have the opportunity to connect, share and get support through Starbright World and Starlight is proud to be able to make it possible—in English, Spanish and French!

In addition to general stories, GreatNonprofits is currently seeking stories that address women’s empowerment. If you have a story that shows how Starlight has empowered the women and girls in your life in the face of childhood illness, please take a moment to share!

Tattoo Stories will retail for about $35 depending on the retailer, and Starlight will receive a minimum of $4 per book sold with a minimum unrestricted guaranteed donation of $10,000.

Corporate and medical professionals, students, artists, lawyers, and many more share their lives in Tattoo Stories, drawing readers in for an intimate look at journeys, experiences and cultures, through spoken word paired with stunning photography by Marvin Malzahn.

The book also features a foreword from Linkin Park and Dead By Sunrise frontman Chester Bennington. “The book is associated with a great charity, Starlight Children’s Foundation, and, anything that I can do to give back is always something that I’m interested in,” said Bennington.

To find out more about Tattoo Stories or to purchase a copy of the book, visit www.tattoostories.org. The website also includes a great page with information about Starlight and a full press release about the book (under ‘Media’) with quotes from President and Founder of Smart Imagination Marvin Malzahn and Starlight CEO Paula Van Ness.

Be sure to check out Starlight’s online programs created to educate, encourage and inspire young people living with asthma and help their families cope with the everyday challenges that come with it. Quest for the Code, recently featuredon About.com, is a great online asthma game that helps children and teens, 7-15, learn how to manage their asthma, find coping tips and get advice. The game combines asthma education with rich graphics, an engaging storyline and the talent of Cuba Gooding Jr., Glenn Close, Shaquille O’Neal and other celebrities to help young people learn how to manage their asthma. There is also a glossary for children and a resource guide for parents.

Starlight’s online social network Starbright World also features an Asthma and Allergy Chat for teens and young adults, 13-20, who live with the disorder. During the monthly chat, teens are able to discuss a variety of information about their asthma and allergies--symptoms, environmental factors, treatments, causes, prevention, and more.

Visit www.starlight.org/programs for a full list of Starlight’s online programs for asthma and a number of other diseases and medical procedures, and spread the word! 

Judy has been a volunteer with Starlight Australia for the last three years. She is praised for her time, her willingness to take on projects and the quality of work she provides to ensure that outcomes are achieved. 

When thanked and praised, Judy is said to be too keen to point out that she feels she gets far more out of it than she puts in. 

A Starlight Fun Center will be placed in Judy’s honor at a hospital from Starlight’s Fun Center wait list.

At the heart of Michaels’ giving strategy is engaging its employees. Michaels and Starlight will begin coordinating employee-led, in-store Great Escapes, leveraging Michaels existing It’s My Birthday Party program. Michaels will also provide Starlight chapters and offices throughout the country with in-kind donations during seasonal changeovers and clear outs.

We look forward to what the future of this relationship may bring, and welcome Michaels to our Starlight family!

The site was recently reviewed by Common Sense Media, an organization that provides online information and tools, as well as an independent forum, so that families can have a “choice and voice about the media they consume.”

We’re happy to report that Starbright World received rave reviews, including an A+ for its educational value and four stars for the site overall. Common Sense Media also gave a great summary of Starbright World’s message: “…one of support, solidarity, and strength . . . the site—and its members—enables kids facing health challenges to still be social, silly and fun.”

To see how Starbright World measured up in other categories, go here.

Be sure to check out some of Starlight’s online programs for IBD and cancer—UC and Crohn’s, IBD U, Coping With Chemo, Uncovering the Mysteries of Bone Marrow, Starbright World—all created to educate, encourage and inspire young people living with disease and help their families cope with the everyday challenges that come with it.

Visit www.starlight.org/programs for a full list of Starlight’s online programs for IBD and cancer and a number of other diseases, and spread the word!

Starlight

Earlier this month, OneBigGame launched it first game, Chime, to be played on Xbox LIVE® Arcade, the online games portal available to Xbox360 owners all over the world. Chime was created pro bono by music game specialists Zoë Mode. It is a unique block puzzle game fused with music creation elements and contributions from a number of famous musicians.

OneBigGame will donate a minimum of 80 percent from the purchase of Chime and other games, which will be split 50/50 between its charity partners Save the Children and Starlight. Chime is available now on Xbox Live Arcade for 400 Microsoft Points ($5 USD); to learn more, visit www.chimegame.com or visit Starlight’s press room.