Annie Live in Richmond

Our Richmond Starlight families went to see a Theatre IV production of Annie. It was a great performance with fabulous acting and singing. The show was enjoyed by those of us who grew up loving Annie (like our D.C./Maryland Coordinator, Katie who came down to see the show with us and shared memories of her childhood Annie doll) and those who had never heard the story of orphan Annie and Oliver Warbucks. One of the best parts in the show was played by a very well behaved and cute dog, filling the role of Sandy the stray mutt that Annie falls in love with. Annie was both politically and historically relevant, something those who saw the movie as kids had for the most forgotten. Best of all, it was uplifting to see Annie get adopted and find truth in her song The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Build-A-Bear Workshope Event in Richmond

Our Richmond Starlight families got the chance to choose, stuff, and dress their very own stuffed animal friends. We created a whole zoo of animals from elephants and bears to ponies and puppies. Dressing them was the best part! By the end of the day, we had a puppy rolling around on skates, a bear in camouflage and boots ready for the army, another bear ready to get to work on a construction site, and a third with a guitar ready to rock out. There was also a koala bear drafted for the NFL and Katie’s fashionable pink bear in quite elegant attire ready for Prom. Our experience at Build-A-Bear will last forever, with our new friends avaiable anytime we need comfort or just someone to listen.

Adventure in the Smithsonian!

On a beautiful Saturday, the 18^th of April, the Great Escapes families of the DC/Metropolitan area ventured into our nation’s capitol for an event planned by me, the Special Events Intern, Hannah Nichols! They enjoyed a picnic on the mall, sponsored by Qdoba, and an adventure through the many exhibits of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.!

 

The picnic started at 1PM and as the families trickled in, they enjoyed burritos, chips, and brownies while sitting in the grass talking amongst each other. As everyone finished up with their lunches, some of us played a game to get to know each other better, asking everyone “If you were…” questions, such as “If you were a dinosaur, what dinosaur would you be?” The families all got into it, coming up with questions of their own!

 

Once everyone had finished eating, we all went inside the museum, armed with scavenger hunt sheets and disposable cameras. Each family wandered around the museum, looking at the different exhibits, learning new things and taking fun pictures all along the way. The scavenger hunt suggested different pictures that got families surfing with sea turtles, getting buggy at the insect zoo, digging around with the gems and minerals, and so much more! (Even volunteers got in on the fun!)

 

We all reunited at 3PM to see what everyone thought of the event and also to take a group picture! Everyone seemed to have really enjoyed themselves and expressed great interest in participating in more events like this one!  After the group photo had been taken and we talked a bit, some families decided to go home, others went to a couple other museums, and still others chose to stay and continue to explore at the Natural History Museum!

It was a great day and I would like to thank everyone who came out to either help or participate! I hope you all had as much fun as I did!

 

Here is what some of our families had to say about the day:

“Good experience to get your mind off stuff and relax, explore and learn for the entire family. Also, lunch was great! Thanks!”

“This experience was better than the normal walk in a museum.”

“It was fun to have goals and things to specifically look for.”

“It was very educational and fun for the kids.”

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!

 

 

 

Rise Sports Complex Event in Richmond

Richmond area Starlight families took a Great Escape to Rise indoor sports center. From hula-hoop contests to football toss, there was no shortage of activities to participate in on the bright green floor of the indoor soccer field which was the perfect place to run around and celebrate the spring season! This truly was an escape for everyone not just soccer pros–tables and pizza for chatting parents, plenty of M&M’s for us chocolate loving volunteers and games like tossing footballs, soccer of course, and a Moon-Bounce for the kids. Perhaps the best part of what seemed like our own little carnival at RISE was when parents and kids joined in for a classic gym class round of parachute games. Popping the fabric up and down as a little or not so little kid bounced around in the center of the red, green, yellow, and blue fabric put us all into high spirits and laughter. Our friends at RISE even put together a terrific team of face painting artists who did everything from flowers to football team mascots. Popcorn and soda really hit the spot after all that running around. Best of all, Vanessa took and awesome photo of all of us together, perfect for out soccer picture frames!

Almost all of us:) Some of our friends left before out picture.

Anyone like to fly today?

“All Fired Up” and Ready to Paint!

On Saturday, April 11, Starlight held one of the most imaginative events we’ve had in a while. Many Great Escape families showed up to All Fired Up ready express their creative juices by painting pieces of pre-made pottery to their liking. With a huge selection that included almost everything – from robots and monkeys to fairies and mermaids to teapots and creamers – we had neither idea what each child would choose nor how each would express their artistry. However, each piece proved to be as original as the artists themselves. We would like to extend our thanks to both teams at All Fired Up and Potbelly Sandwich Works. We appreciate the kindness that you extended toward the Starlight family.

Miss Teen Maryland’s Fun Center dedication!

On Wednesday, March 25th we gathered for the Wii Fun Center dedication at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. Brittany Sullivan who is Miss Teen Maryland and our Teen Ambassador raised $$ for a Wii Fun Center to be placed at Shady Grove Hospital in honor of her grandfather, who recently passed away.  We had a big turnout of people, many who had supported Brittany in her fundraising.  The Kiwanis, Rotary Club, the Gazette, and Fox News and many of Brittany’s family members came out to support her wonderful philanthropic work!  One of the pediatric patients, Jack, even got to try out the Fun Center and demonstrate his Wii expertise.  It was a great day, and we applaud Brittany on her great work.  She is only about $500 away from raising enough for another Fun Center!  Check out the video from the Gazette  and the pictures!

 

http://www.gazette.net/stories/03262009/montnew161607_32487.shtml 

Brittany talking about why she donated the Fun Center to Shady Grove!

Philadelphia Sixers Great Escapes Event

Twenty-one Starlight families cheered the Philadelphia 76ers to victory over the Miami Heat on March 15th.   From watching warm-ups from the team bench,  to munching on hot dogs and popcorn, and then taking team jerseys home as souvenirs- it was a fantastic afternoon for everybody.  Special thanks to our Starlight volunteers Amanda, David and Debbie who distributed information about Starlight MidAtlantic and the Great Escapes program at the community awareness table during the game.

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

The Philadelphia Phantoms Great Escapes

 

Our Philadelphia families spent last Saturday evening, February 28th, at the Wachovia Spectrum watching the Philadelphia Phantoms take on the Providence Bruins.  Thanks to the team, one of our families had the opportunity to watch warm-ups from the pentalty box.  The real excitement took place during the game with Brandon B. catching a team t-shirt in the stands (Nice catch!), a birthday announcement for Zakki S.,  and a special visit to our seats from Phlex, the team mascot, for pictures and autographs.   After enjoying a snack of hot dogs, soda and popcorn, the group cheered the Phantoms to a 4-3 victory.