Excited to be your new Teen Ambassador

Hi! My name is Brittany Sullivan and I would like to introduce myself as the new Teen Ambassador for Starlight MidAtlantic. I am 15 years old and a sophomore at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, MD. Along with being an honor student and a varsity cheerleader, I am currently the reigning Miss Teen Maryland International 2008.

For all of you who are unaware of the Miss Teen International system, it has been developed to promote today’s young women, ages 13 – 18, and their accomplishments. Around the world women are finding this system to be an opportunity to work with others to become positive role models. Each contestant is required to promote a platform that they are passionate about, and mine is Starlight MidAtlantic.

This platform is so close to my heart for several reasons. First, I have watched a friend suffer from leukemia who found a source of hope and support through Starlight MidAtlantic. Also, my mother, who suffers from Crohn’s disease since she was 21, has shown me how painful and serious a chronic illness can affect your life. And the most important reason is because these children are my generation, and I believe it is very important to know what it feels like to make a difference in their lives.

Throughout this year I have many plans. I will be representing Starlight MidAtlantic and the state of Maryland at nationals in Chicago on July 21-26. I will also be planning my very own Great Escape, so I hope to see you all there. And I will also be raising money for Fun Centers to be placed in local hospitals in the MidAtlantic region.

Being in beauty pageants has been such a life altering experience, and has taught me lessons that I will cherish forever and opportunities that will last a lifetime.  I look forward to meeting all of you soon! 

If you would like to contact me you can reach me at: brittany@starlight-midatlantic.org.  To learn more about me as the Teen Ambassador, check out www.starlight-midatlantic.org/ambassador.

Spa & Little Heroes party at Georgetown University Hospital!

Washington, DC.

On Sunday, May 4th Starlight MidAtlantic took part in the Spa Day and Little Heroes party at Georgetown University Hospital.  Both patients and outpatients participated in this fun-filled day, that included spa services for the girls, and Superhero fun for the boys!

The girls received make-up application from  the Y-Hope Foundation, and manicures (and some pedicures!) from our volunteers from Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority from University of Maryland.  All of the lovely ladies got to pick out their own magic wands, nail polishes, lip glosses, body splashes, nail files, and other beauty goodies!  With their make-up and nails (and toes!) freshly done and their goodies in tow, the girls got the opportunity to  be crowned with their very own Queen crown, and get their pictures taken with the Beauty Queens in attendance, which included our Teen Ambassador, Brittany Sullivan, Miss Teen Maryland International 2008!

The boys had their share of fun too, as they were entertained by both Spiderman and a Power Ranger.  All of the boys made their own Superhero capes, decorated to their liking and specific Superhero skills!  Both the boys and girls enjoyed clowning around with our favorite clown volunteers, Judy and Gary. Many of the guests got to play on the Wii Fun Center. In between all of the festivities,  we all enjoyed pizza, sandwiches, and of course cupcakes and cookies!  Check out some of the photos below:

Getting the complete spa treatment!

Receiving some clown noses!

Update: All pictures from Kings Dominion Posted!

Check out all the photos from the Kings Dominion Great Escape here: http://starlightmidatlantic.smugmug.com/gallery/4967937_nh6bT#297405628_2JGjQ

Dessert Reception to Kick-Off Portabellos Partnership

Portabellos has partnered exclusively with Starlight MidAtlantic. Last night a reception was held at the restaurant to launch the partnership.  Starlight MidAtlantic’s Teen Ambassador, Miss Teen Maryland International 2008, Brittany Sullivan and Cara Martin, Starlight MidAtlantic’s Executive Director presented Portabellos owner MJ Hussein with a gold and bronze plaque to mark the beginning of the partnership.  Starry, the Starlight Mascot, was also on-hand at the reception to greet children and adults alike.  Two guests won gift certificates to Portabellos during the raffle!

 

Portabellos is an American café serving homemade dishes in Arlington, VA. All year long, Portabellos will donate solely to Starlight MidAtlantic $1 from every dessert and $5 from every gift certificate sold.

 

Portabellos owner, MJ Hussein is eager to start the partnership with Starlight MidAtlantic.  “I believe in giving back to the community and I really wanted to help those that truly need it,” said Hussein. “I have a daughter of my own so I appreciate the impact of what Starlight MidAtlantic does.  We wanted to create an on-going partnership so that diners could become part of our involvement with the foundation by eating dessert in the restaurant or buying a certificate for a future visit.”

 

Support Starlight MidAtlantic by eating dinner at Portabellos and dont forget a yummy dessert! To make reservations at Portabellos call 703-528-1557. Or a gift certificate to Portabellos makes a great gift! 

“Starlight MidAtlantic could not exist without the generosity of a wide variety of people who care deeply about sick kids,” said Executive Director Cara Martin. “With Portabellos commitment and community support, we can continue to impact children’s lives in profound ways when they really need it most.” 

 

Check out other photos from the event: http://starlightmidatlantic.smugmug.com/gallery/4937397_B4B7k#295255629_QYhQf 

Kings Dominion

 This past Saturday, the Richmond and DC Chapters came together for a day of fun at Kings Dominion.  We had a perfect weather for our all day of adventure.  Over 400 people came out for our 2nd Annual Kings Dominion event.  All the families started off their day by enjoying all the great rides the park has to offer.  All the families had their Starlight MidAtlantic t-shirts on so they could see and talk to other families while they were out riding all the rides. For lunch we came together for a huge picnic lunch of chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs and all the trimmings.  After lunch Dora the Explorer and Scooby Doo stopped by to greet all the children.  The families also enjoyed meeting new people and connecting with families they have gotten to know at past events. Families were able to enjoyed all the rides and friendship at this all day event.   Many of the younger children enjoyed the Nickelodeon Central area.   While the older children enjoyed all the roller coasters. I have received great feedback from parents about this event.  Here are a few comments from families:

“Today was our first event with Starlight MidAtlantic and we had a wonderful time, your organization is such a  blessing. Thank you so much for all that you guys do and we look forward to attending more events when possible.”

“Again another wonderful program by you and Starlight MidAtlantic. The kids had a ball we enjoyed seeing them so happy. It also gave us a chance to seem many families that we have become friends with and say good bye.  We took pictures with them so Daniel will always remember the friends he has made while with Starlight MidAtlantic.”

 

“Thank you for Saturday Xavier had a blast even though he had know idea; He rode every adult ride he could get on! I was tired from watching and carry there stuff! I was blessed to see all the families your foundation is touching every month and day! Thank you again for blessing our family!”

 

 

 

An Evening Under the Big Top

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus arrived in Philadelphia on April 16th and Starlight MidAtlantic was there to celebrate opening night at the Wachovia Spectrum. Our largest event to date, seventy-one Starlight children and their parents watched motorcycle riders race in the Globe of Steel, acrobats fly through the air, and a pack of Bengal tigers perform amazing tricks. It was an evening full of excitement and laughter for all the families.

Special thanks to Starlight MidAtlantic parent Heather Smith for sharing this photo of her daughters Elizabeth, Breanna, and  Sarina…