A Look Back at Past Events

7th Annual Greater Open Raises $67,000 to support Starlight Programs

Presented by C. Davis Electric & Credit Restoration Consultants 

On Friday, October 30th, 2009 Starlight Florida hosted its 7th Annual Starlight Greater Open, presented by Credit Restoration Consultants and C. Davis Electric raising more than $67,000 to support 17 programs designed to educate and distract seriously ill children. 

Golfers had the opportunity to participate in prize-winning contests such as the Hole in One, Longest Drive, putting contests and the “Are You Better Than a 5th Grade Golfer?” contest sponsored by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
and Toshiba Business Solutions Florida.

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 all of the support we receive each year to help Starlight’s programs for seriously ill children,” said Renee Weintraub, 2009 Greater Golf Open Chair. “It pleases us to host such a high quality event and keep the tournament appealing by offering new things each year, such as massages and stretching as well as on course treats.”

Starlight Florida would like to thank our generous sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible.

To view some snapshots from the tournament, please click here. 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 
2:30 PM – 5:30 p.m.
Middleburg Civic Center on Palmetto
Middleburg, Florida

Participating businesses raffled off a gift basket valued at $25 and donations of new toys, monetary gifts and gift cards were collected.

Ms. Christmas Dazzle Christmas Pageant
Guests were creative and used their imaginations to design and wear colorful Christmas outfits. Ms. Christmas Dazzle and a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner were selected.

All proceeds from this event benefited Starlight Florida.

Savor the Night Begins a New Fundraising Tradition

On Thursday, August 27, The Wasie Foundation presented Savor the Night, A Wine & Cheese Reception that raised nearly $2,000 for Starlight Florida's many programs. More than 50 guests attended the sold out event and spent a beautiful South Florida evening sipping savory red and white wines provided by The Wine Warehouse of Ft. Lauderdale. Guests enjoyed complimentary hors d’oeuvres and were entertained by the musical talents of Ron Weintraub on the keyboard.

The environment of the event was very intimate, taking place in The Wasie Villa, a private villa on downtown Las Olas’ Intracoastal Waterway. Guests were impressed by ornately decorated wine glasses designed by Starlight kids and had the unique opportunity to purchase them as special souvenir reminders. Beautifully put together Starlight Great Escapesscrapbooks were on display for all guests to view during the evening and a picture slideshow featuring Great Escapes family activities in South Florida, Jacksonville, and Orlando played throughout the evening.

Savor the Night is the first fundraiser for Starlight that the Wine Warehouse of Ft. Lauderdale has supported. Starlight Children's Foundation is looking forward to a continuing relationship and hosting our next wine and cheese reception at the Wine Warehouse in January.

“Savor the Night was an intimate reception and a fundraiser made possible by The Wasie Foundation and we look forward to continuing this tradition with the generous support of Wine Warehouse at their venue,” Mary Ensor, Starlight Development Assistant said. “This was a great opportunity for new individuals to learn about Starlight, our mission, and all of the ways they are able to get involved and begin making a difference in the lives of seriously ill children.

The evening was concluded by Ensor thanking guests for their continued support and presenting a special thank you to The Wasie Foundation for their incredible support of Starlight Florida.

On Thursday, June 19, 2007 Starlight Florida supporters, friends and family came out to Pazzo’s Restaurant to pay tribute to a shining star, the late Norman Couf. Norman was a passionate and true believer in the Starlight mission. He not only dedicated his time and money to the organization, but his love for improving the quality of life for ill children was always evident. He got great joy out of watching hospitalized children play with the Fun Center mobile entertainment centers donated by Les Diplomates and he traveled across the tri-county area to participate in as many dedication ceremonies as possible. He and his wife Ileen also enjoyed assisting in the holiday toy donations and were there by Santa’s side passing out toys to children in the hospital.

Even in his passing, Norman continued to think of Starlight; in lieu of flowers, he requested contributions be made to the foundation. Norman passed away on March 20th due to leukemia. He is survived by his wife Ileen; her son Charles Schoenthal; his son Robert Couf; his brother Herb; daughters-in-law Laurèn Fitzback-Couf and Veronica Couf; grandchildren Alyce Menton, Alan, Larry and Ryan Couf; great-grandchildren Leah and Corrie Jeanne Menton, and Connor Steven Couf.

Norman was a special supporter and his presence will be greatly missed by the entire Starlight organization.

A Night under the Stars Hosted by Les Diplomates

On Saturday, February 18, 2006, more than 300 supporters packed the Grand Ballroom at the Westin Hotel & Resort in Fort Lauderdale to join Les Diplomates of Fort Lauderdale in celebrating their 20th Anniversary at "A Night under the Stars", a gala which raised over $77,000 to benefit the children served by Starlight Florida.

Club Richelieu Les Diplomates is an international service club composed of French speaking professionals.  Over the past 20 years, Les Diplomates has raised funds for many valuable causes throughout Fort Lauderdale including Women in Distress and area nursing homes.  This year, Les Diplomates collaborated with Starlight  and focused their efforts on providing Fun Center mobile entertainment units to hospitals throughout Florida.

Guests enjoyed a tremendous night of auctions, dinner and dancing to live musical entertainment by Marty Kaye, Music Maker.  During the dinner hour, Megan, a teen living with Muscular Dystrophy gave a moving speech about her positive experiences with Starlight. She explained how Starlight programs are designed to help inspire and empower kids.  "Fun Centers give kids and teens the opportunity to forget where they are and feel normal again" said Megan.  She later presented the members of Les Diplomates with our Star Award for their outstanding fundraising efforts and commitment to seriously ill children and their families.

As part of the evening's festivities, Lauren Fitzback-Couf, President of Les Diplomates, made an appeal to guests to help with fulfilling the lengthy waiting list for hospitals that need Fun Centers in South Florida including Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital, Broward General Medical Center and Miami Children's Hospital. This appeal quickly became a friendly competition as guests stood to make pledge after pledge; rapidly fulfilling the list and placing 18 Fun Centers throughout South Florida.

Hats and Handbags Raises $20,000 for Starlight Florida

Starlight Florida hosted its annual Hats and Handbags, A Classic English Afternoon Tea on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at the newly renovated Hyatt Pier 66 on the 17th Street Causeway in Fort Lauderdale. This event generated more than $20,000, which will be directed to sustaining and expanding Starlight’s entertainment, education and family activities that help children and their families cope with the pain, fear and isolation of serious illness.

Attracted a crowd of more than 250 women, the Tea festivities began with a boutique sale where guests picked up an array of unique custom-made accessories for their spring and summer wardrobes including handbags, jewelry, shoes, and home goods.

“It is truly the perfect way to share a spring Sunday afternoon, regardless of your age,” said Barbara Day, event co-chair.

In addition to fabulous food and scrumptious teas, this year’s event featured a speech by Nina Packer, of Nina Packer & Associates and a live piano performance by 7-year-old musical maestro, Ethan Bortnick, whose talent has made headlines throughout the last year, including a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Martha Stewart Show and Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer. "One of the most incredible 6-year-olds you will ever meet…wait till you see this kid," said Tonight Show’s Jay Leno.

“The event itself was so well organized and planned and just lovely. I met many wonderful women and fell in love as I am sure everyone did with little Ethan,” said a guest at the Tea.

This event was proudly presented by the Blue Martini of Fort Lauderdale. Additional sponsorship support was provided by Baer Furniture, Hyatt Pier 66, Best Rental Service, and E-Productions.

Companies and tea lovers interested in sponsoring or participating in next year’s event should call 954-318-2178 or log onto www.starlight-florida.org.