New England Events Round Up

STARmazing Race

In its fourth year, the STARmazing Race again earned its reputation as the most a hilarious and unique scavenger hunt in Boston. Hundreds of Starlight supporters took to the streets in teams of two to four people to have insane fun while collecting slightly unusual clues, mastering challenges to win great prizes and raising awareness and funds for Starlight’s local programs.

Challenge sponsors included: California Pizza Kitchen, Union Oyster House to seek out a native clue, J.P. Licks for a cool down, b Positive Project, Yelp, Harpoon Kings and Isis Parenting and many more.

New this year, racers were able to up the stakes by creating a personal fundraising page to welcome friends and family to support them as they raced. Qdoba Mexican Grill spiced up the efforts by offering special fundraising incentives: if racers raised $100 they won two free burritos; $250 won 10 free burritos; $500 won 30 free burritos and $750 won 52 free burritos – that’s enough to have a burrito every week for a year!

Special thanks are also due to race sponsor J.P. Licks for also providing tasty fundraising incentives, giving customers a coupon valid for homemade ice cream or freshly roasted coffee in exchange for a $1 donation to Starlight. 

Father Cycles for his Kids and Other Children Struggling with a Serious Illness 

For the last six years, Starlight dad Jerry McNeil has hit the road to cycle for Starlight in the Annual Rodman Ride for Kids. As part of Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Bike Team, he raises funds for Starlight’s local New England programs. Jerry rides for all of Starlight’s children and families, but most importantly, for his own sons, J.T. and Nicholas.

When J.T. was 4, he was diagnosed with a condition that forces him to deal with chronic pain. This news came around the same time his younger brother, Nicholas, was having kidney surgery. J.T.’s first grade teacher, who witnessed J.T.’s daily struggles, told the McNeils about Starlight, and they have been part of Starlight’s community ever since and regularly attend Starlight’s Great Escape family activities.

The Rodman Ride for Kids brings together a generous group of people dedicated to helping children in need across New England and raises critical funds for Starlight’s local programs that touch the lives of more than 100,000 children and families in the region. Through the Ride, Jerry McNeil has raised close to $5,000 for Starlight.

“The Ride is a way for me to say thank you to Starlight, but it’s also a way to give hope to other Starlight families,” says Jerry. “My entire family participates; my wife and sons volunteer and greet me and all the finishers at the finish line!”

Jerry has recruited cousins from Carver, MA, secured support from his brother and sisters, and has invited everyone he knows to support Starlight by joining the Starlight Bike Team.

One day, J.T. and Nicholas hope to ride with their dad, even if it is just the last mile or two. Until that is possible, the boys will cheer their dad on, as he cycles for Starlight New England!

You can join Jerry on this year’s team! Riders can choose to ride either 25, 50 or 100 miles. Each rider raises $1,000 and the Rodman Ride matches 10 percent. All expenses of the ride are underwritten so 110 percent of your donations will directly benefit Starlight and seriously ill children and their families throughout New England. Call 617-241-9911 or email race@starlight.org to learn more.

Buzzing in Boston 

Starlight New England partnered with the Buzzing 4 Change for a one-day student-run charity extravaganza at the Boston Common this April. Sponsored by Hair Cuttery, Buzzing in Boston welcomed hundreds of Bostonians to shave their heads, cut their hair to donate it for wigs, or simply volunteer to help. 

Participants recruited sponsors to support them in their endeavors to show solidarity with children suffering from serious illness. One hundred percent of the donations collected were donated to Starlight New England to brighten the lives of children living with chronic and life threatening illness.

For those who couldn’t make it to Boston for the event, Hair Cuttery ran a month-long promotion in dozens of salons, where salon associates donated $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans to work and encouraged their clients to support the fundraising effort.

Calendar of Upcoming FUNdraising Events

August 29   
Fisher Cats vs. Sea Dogs 
Purchase your tickets and the proceeds benefit Starlight! Call 617-241-9911 or click here for more information.

September 25
Rodman Ride for Kids 
Join the Starlight cycling team and ride for a cause! Ten percent of every dollar is matched by The Ride -- stretching each donation to make an even greater difference!  

If you are interested in volunteering at one of our upcoming fundraising events, please contact us at 617-241-9911 or by email at
race@starlight.org.

Opportunities to Get Involved! 

• Attend a fundraising event or join a STARmazing Race or Rodman Ride team.
• Join a planning committee, all of Starlight’s events are planned and executed by volunteers. We are always looking for new members to join our committees.
• Adopt a Great Escape. Starlight hosts more than 30 Great Escape family activities each year. You and a group of friends can chose to adopt a Great Escape.

Starlight New England is a very small staff that relies on our community and volunteers to ensure that while researchers are searching for cures and doctors are focused on improving a child’s health, we are able to lift the spirits of everyone in the family as they struggle to cope with a child’s serious illness.

Give us a call today at 617-241-9911 and learn how you can become part of our team!