BB&T Sponsors Mt. Vernon Great Escape!

Thanks to BB&T Bank, many Starlight children and their families spent the day of the 25th of October, on a boat and walking tour of Mt. Vernon, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  After exploring the vast estate grounds and learning more about our first president, George Washington, and his era, the families enjoyed a hearty lunch in the cafeteria.  The museum exhibits, various movie theaters, hands-on activities and fully dressed characters re-enacting vintage scenes of daily life, all helped to shape our impressions of this period.  Again, thank you BB&T Bank, for this amazing opportunity to experience Mt. Vernon and to gain a better understanding of our American History.

Thank you letter from Starlight Child Ashley Padgett:

I want to thank BB&T Bank and Starlight Children’s Foundation, for the wonderful time I recently experienced on the boat and walking tour of Mt. Vernon.  It was so amazing to learn more about the first president, George Washington, and to walk through the museum, looking at his artifacts, and reading about his life and affects on the African-American society.  I also enjoyed watching the movies of his life, in the many high-tech movie theaters.  Again, I want to thank BB&T Bank and Starlight Children’s Foundation, for the chance to dig deeper into the life of George Washington, and his impact on my life today, as the next generation of aspiring leaders.

 

Ashley Padgett

Nationals Baseball!

On Saturday, May 16th our D.C. families got together at Nationals Park to watch the Nationals battle the Philadelphia Phillies!  For many of our families, this was their first visit to the new ballpark, and it was a great visit indeed!  We were lucky that the clouds cleared and it was a sunny, beautiful day.   We had 125 people there, and it was a fun environment to watch the game, meet new families and make new friends!  Although the Nats lost to the Phillies, all our Great Escape families had a fantastic time!

Just a quick note to once again say thank you! The kids had a blast at the baseball game on Saturday at the new stadium and so did we! Janet Mosby, Great Escape mom

Carly Weaver donates books!

 

Carly Weaver, a very giving and mature young lady collected and donated over 250 books to donate to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Towson, MD.   Starlight MidAtlantic helped coordinate the drop-off of the books to the children at St.Joseph’s, but the hard work was all Carly!  The pediatric patients at St.Joseph’s were very excited to receive the books from Carly, and the staff greatly appreciated her generosity.  Each of the books had a sticker that said “Donated by Carly Weaver & Starlight MidAtlantic”, so the pediatric patients will always be able to see Carly’s charitable work! Check out the picture of Carly with her books below!  Here is what St. Joseph’s had to say about Carly’s donation:

Just wanted to take a moment and let you know how much we appreciate the wonderful books that were brought in last week end to our Pediatrics Department.  Please let Carly and her Mom know how much we appreciate the generous donation.  Paulette Ball, Administrative Coordinator, Department of Pediatrics.  

 

 

Carly with her donated books!

 

 

 

Nick Strocchia’s photo of Starlight child is a winner!

Our favorite photographer at Starlight MidAtlantic is the wonderfully talented Nick Strocchia, who takes countless pictures of our Great Escapes and Hospital Happenings.  Last summer at a Great Escape at a Nationals Game he took a fantastic picture of Sophie, one of our liveliest and loveliest Starlight kids. The picture was truly gorgeous, and clearly others recognized Nick’s talents, as he won the Monthly Photo Contest for Alpha Mount World.   Sophie is 4 1/2 year old brain tumor survivor that adds joy to all of the Great Escapes she attends.  The photo Nick took truly captures her spirit, and I applaud his incredible work!  You can check out more of his work at www.nickstrocchia.com

We are so lucky to have Nick as our photographer, and congratulate him!!

 

 

The winning photo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.alphamountworld.com/photography-news/monthly-photo-contest-6-winners

High School Musical!

 

On Sunday March 1^st, our families enjoyed a great rendition of the popular play, High School Musical. Our group of 75 started off the day with a delicious brunch with an array of breakfast and lunch choices such as eggs, bacon and French toast as well as salad, fruit and a carving station with turkey, roast beef, and ham. During Brunch, the families got a chance to meet Miss Teen Maryland as she circulated around our tables giving out some very cool High School Musical accessories, signing autographs, and taking pictures.  To top off the tasty brunch, an Ice cream Sunday station was offered to all of our families where the kids were able to add their own personal favorite toppings to their dessert.  We then got to watch our waiters and waitresses change into character and put on a fantastic rendition of High School Musical. The actors and actresses were energetic, funny and interactive as they danced and sang all around the stage. The great thing about the venue was that the seating surrounded the stage and was very close so that each member of the audience really felt like they were right there in the story. After a great show, the families enjoyed a meet and greet with the stars of the show so that the kids could get a picture with their favorite characters. It was truly a fantastic day filled with fun, laughs and great food and everyone left with a big smile!

Here is what some of the families had to say:

“Just wanted to say thank you for planning the event today.  Katie had a great time.  Brittany is an amazingly gracious ambassador, she was just lovely with all of the kids!” Amy Judlick, A Starlight MidAtlantic mom.

“It was fun!  I liked it a lot! “When are we going again?” Madison & Jefferson, Starlight MidAtlantic kids. 

“It was my first time at a dinner theatre. It was the best play I’ve seen in my life!”, Zane Mosby, Starlight MidAtlantic kid. 

Miss Teen Maryland poses with Madison & Jefferson!

Lisa, Miss Teen Maryland & Kate!

An Afternoon of Fun and Games at Dave and Buster’s

The Philadelphia Great Escapes families headed to Dave and Buster’s Restaurants last Saturday, January 31st for an afternoon of fun and games. After enjoying a delicious lunch buffet including yummy chocolate chip cookies and brownies, the group headed to the Midway to play video and arcade games.  It was terrific way for friends and family to spend time together on a very cold January afternoon!

Cooking up some fun at the Young Chef’s Academy!

This past Saturday, our DC families were busy whipping up some goodies at the Young Chef’s Academy.    The Young Chef’s Academy is a very cool place, and the kitchens are all designed to be kid-friendly, colorful, bright, and with cooking tools just for kids!  The  kids busied themselves with the making of homemade breadsticks.  ( The kids were nice and let some of the the parents in on the fun:)  Our fun, interactive and goofy chefs taught us how to make bread, knead it, roll it out, and form breadsticks.  We already learned many cooking tips and tricks that we can use at home in our own kitchens!  We go to customize our breadsticks to our own tastes, covering them with fresh herbs such as rosemary, oregano, and basil, and of course cheese!  Many of the kids got cheese-crazy, and covered their breadsticks with gobs of cheese…all while singing the cheese song that we learned:) Finally the time had arrived for us to feast on our breadsticks, which we all enjoyed!  We can’t wait to go back to cook up some more fun in April!

 

Our young chefs hard at work!

 

Putting the finishing touches on our breadsticks!

Starlight MidAtlantic Holiday Party!

Last Saturday our D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia families enjoyed a holiday party at Embassy Suites.  True the the holiday season, the party room was beautifully decorated with holly, green tablecloths, and Christmas carols playing throughout the room.  Over 100 attendees feasted on delicious food such as spinach dip, ravioli, salad, and 7-layer dip.  Of course we all enjoyed delicious desserts such as Christmas and snowmen cookies and chocolate mousse cake. The kids and many of the adults got busy making crafts such as peace doves,  ornaments, and cards. One of the highlights of the event was singing by Miranda (see her singing below!).  Miranda sang many of the Christmas carols and holiday songs we all know and love, as well as some of her own written music!  Every family received a holiday gift bag with a Swarovski crystal ornament, a planner (so parents can write down all of our Great Escapes!), playing cards and a personalized card made by students from the SEED School of Washington, D.C.   The party truly put everyone in the holiday spirit!

 

Miranda singing Christmas carols!

 

Lisa enjoying her Christmas cupcake!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the food and holiday spirit!

 

Getting crafty!

Mrs. Galaxy International 2009 is Starlight MidAtlantic’s First Official Spokesperson

Hello all! My name is Deborah Wright and I am the reigning Mrs. Galaxy International 2009. I am thrilled to also have been recently named the official spokesperson for Starlight MidAtlantic. I have been volunteering with the organization since 2004 and truly believe in what Starlight MidAtlantic does for our sick children dealing with hospital stays. My nephew was diagnosed with ITP, which is a blood disorder, when he was just 4 years old. We were constantly in and out of the hospital for treatments and blood transfusions. I wish we would have had the comforts of Starlight MidAtlantic back then.

I am looking forward to our big event this coming Saturday, the Taste of the Stars Gala held at the Four Seasons in D.C. I will be there as a special guest and I am excited to meet everyone there supporting our cause. I plan on dancing the night away so I better wear comfortable shoes! Hope to see you there!

Deborah Wright

Mrs. Galaxy International 2009

Deborah Wright, Mrs. Galaxy International 2009

9th Annual Taste of the Stars Gala After Party

Starlight MidAtlantic’s Young Professionals Council will be hosting an After Party for the 9th Annual Taste of the Stars Gala. The premier after party will feature a decadent dessert bar and premium open bar. The evening’s guests will dance the night away in the Studio 54 themed Dance Club with a DJ spinning the greatest hits. Sound like a good time? Young professionals in the DC area, come join Starlight Children’s Foundation MidAtlantic for a black tie event at the Four Seasons to support seriously ill children. Come party to support a great cause! To purchase tickets, call 202.293.STAR.

Premier After Party Hosted by Starlight MidAtlantic Young Professionals Council