Starlight Children’s Foundation

An international not-for-profit foundation that seeks to “brighten the lives of seriously ill children and those who care for them” has a 20-year history in bringing joy to hospitals around the world specializing in children’s care. The Starlight Children’s Foundation was founded in Los Angeles and has spread to chapters in major urban centers in the U.S. and into Europe and Canada.

Steve McGraw, representing the foundation in Washington headquartered in Redmond, gave a comprehensive description of what the Foundation does. “Youngsters who become ill suffer from isolation, fear and anxiety associated with their illness. And, their families suffer right along with them. It was recognized some time ago that assistance during their hospital stay would be the goal of the Starlight Foundation. With that in mind, the organization began developing program in hospitals that would help the patient and their families.”

Starlight has teamed with Nintendo to create kiosks in hospital rooms which delivers program designed to restore laughter and happiness. This program is called Starlight Fun Centers, where mobile entertainment centers containing a TV monitor, VCR or DVD and a Nintendo game unit rolls right up to the child’s hospital bed providing a worthwhile distraction to the patient.

The Foundation has developed the Kids Activity Network, an outpatient program that provides a variety of outings and events for sick children and their families. Movie screenings, harbor cruises, baseball games, theater nights and picnics are just a few of the excursion sponsored by Starlight.

There’s also a Hospital Happenings program, where entertainers visit the kids during themed parties. They even sponsor visits by approved dogs to brighten up a child’s day. Starlight Sites are creative hospital environments designed to provide pediatric patients a place to relax, play and interact with other children during their stay. These sites are off-limits to medical procedures, giving the kids a “safe-haven” as a break from their hospitalization.

Another program is called PC Pal, providing exciting educational opportunities by personal computer equipped with educational and entertaining software, access to the Internet and connections to their friends and schools.

Mr. McGraw said the Foundation serves 100,000 children each month through their programs. “Kids who wish someday to return to school have their spirits lifted daily by our programs. Virtually every hospital with pediatric wards has Starlight programs. The Starlight Foundation mission is to develop longer-term relationships with the ill child and their family.”

It appears that the Starlight Children’s Foundation is like an oasis in hospitals for kids. There are many ways individuals and groups can find volunteer opportunities. There are program service opportunities, fundraising opportunities and additional ways to volunteer.

There are 3600 Fun Centers in hospitals nationwide. “We’re a volunteer-driven organization with 200 volunteers in Washington State. We have a small staff of four directing the programs of the foundation. All kids from 4-18 are served by our programs,” McGraw concluded.

Thanks to Cary Kopczynski for his introduction.

Receiving a certificate indicating the BBRC has donated a book in Steve McGraw’s name to a blind 2-1/2 year old boy was the recognition for McGraw’s time spent with the Club Friday.