Our Mission
Delivering happiness to seriously ill kids and their families.
Our Values
Service: We are motivated by a strong commitment to serving seriously ill children.
Teamwork: We are one team with one goal - to deliver happiness to seriously ill kids.
Accountability: We are accountable to those we serve and our donors, as well as ourselves.
Respect: We encourage diversity of identity, perspective, and backgrounds to create a more inclusive organization to better serve seriously ill kids and families of all races and ethnicities.
Integrity: We do what we say we will do to make a positive change for seriously ill children and their families.
Excellence & Innovation: We strive to go beyond expectations, always seeking new and better ways to achieve our mission.
Our History
In 1982, our co-founders, filmmaker Peter Samuelson and his cousin, actress Emma Samms delivered happiness to our very first Starlight kid by hosting him and his mom on a trip to Disneyland.
On February 2, 1983, Starlight was officially incorporated in the United States as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Peter and Emma drew inspiration for our name and first logo from the famous poem, “Star light, star bright/First star I see tonight/I wish I may, I wish I might/Have this wish I wish tonight.”
In 1990 Starlight built our first-ever Starlight Space in Los Angeles to create a state-of-the-art and interactive environment where kids and families can relax and enjoy their time together.
In 1992 Starlight launched our Gaming program in partnership with Nintendo of America. Starlight Gaming brings the healing power of play to hospitalized kids by providing easy access to their favorite video games, movies, TV shows, and later, streaming content.
In 2013 Starlight introduced our Deliveries program where hospital partners can register to join our network and receive donated arts and crafts, books, toys, games, and products and services that kids love.
In 2016 Starlight began its Starlight Hospital Gowns program with the introduction of Starlight Gowns.
In 2019 we launched Stream For Starlight, a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign through online streaming of a favorite activity.
In 2020 we launched our Commitment for Change initiative to further our efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion.
In 2021 the Starlight Nintendo Switch Handheld made its debut as the first fully portable Gaming Station.
