A Year in Review: Starlight’s 2020
While 2020 forced us all to face different challenges, Starlight is extremely grateful for the bright moments that happened throughout the year. From designing new Starlight Gowns to working with such amazing hospital partners, we are so thankful to look back at the year and know that we, along with our partners and donors, were able to make an impact on hospitalized kids.
Check out some of our most memorable moments of the year.
Teaming up With the NY Islands to Create our First-Ever NHL-Themed Starlight Gown
We kicked off the year by announcing our new partnership with the New York Islanders. With the help of Islanders' fans purchasing 50/50 raffle tickets at a game in January, we were able to deliver 1,000 NY Islanders-Themed Starlight Gowns to children’s hospitals in the New York City area.
Surprising Hospitalized Kids at White Memorial Hospital with a Visit from McKenna Grace
In February, McKenna Grace dropped by Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital to deliver happiness. She joined the kids in the playroom to have some fun and just let them be kids for a little bit.
Visiting UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital with Kevin McHale and Delivering Nintendo Switches to Kids
Before the COVID-19 pandemic causing limits on hospital visitors, we teamed up with Kevin McHale to give a few lucky kids a brand-new Nintendo Switch and Mario plushies. It was the perfect way to spend Mar10 Day!
Seeing the Incredible Impact that Starlight Gowns can Have on Sick Children
During our visit to UCLA Mattel, one child drew the first-ever Starlight Gown she received—the Star Wars Chewbacca Starlight Gown. Next to the design, she wrote, “There are heroes like in the movies. But we are all heroes. You are strong and mighty. These gowns make kids feel like superheroes.” With this, we saw first-hand how powerful Starlight Gowns are to hospitalized kids.
Launching Starlight’s Commitment for Change
Earlier this year, we were inspired to make a commitment to change in response to the racial injustice and violence that continues to impact the Black community. To do this, we launched our Commitment for Change program, an equity, diversity, and inclusion initiative to deliver Starlight programs to more medically underserved and vulnerable populations.
Delivering MLB Gowns to Hospitalized Kids in Honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
One of our favorite traditions is seeing the smiles of the kids’ that receive an MLB Starlight Gown directly from a player. While teams couldn’t do their regular hospital visit, many Clubs got creative and delivered happiness through virtual events.
Breaking our Stream For Starlight Fundraising Goal
In our 2nd Annual Stream For Starlight campaign, we set a goal to raise $50,000 during the month of September. Well, our streaming community came together to raise more than $181,000! We were blown away by all the support—from musicians to chefs to crafters, everyone played a part in the success of this campaign.
Partnering with DeVante Parker to Deliver Uncle Vante-Themed Starlight Gowns
Miami Dolphins’ wide receiver DeVante Parker teamed up with us to create Uncle Vante-themed Starlight Gowns, which feature Uncle Vante and PeeWee Parker, cartoon characters from Parker’s animated web series Uncle Vante. These new gowns were delivered to sick kids at hospitals across South Florida, and we already know that they will bring moments of joy to these kids.
Getting the Starlight Nintendo Switch Gaming Stations into Hospitals
The wait is over! The latest iteration of the Starlight Nintendo Gaming station is finally in children’s hospitals across the US. This edition features a Nintendo Switch and comes preloaded with more than 25 games! It is already delivering happiness and entertainment to sick kids, who are more isolated than ever due to COVID and visitor restrictions.
Delivering 1 Million Toys to Hospitalized Kids with the Help of Starlight Deliveries
Thanks to our corporate partners, Starlight delivered 1 million books, toys, games, crafts, and more fun items directly to seriously ill kids this year. We know that so many sick kids will be stuck in their hospital room through the holidays, and we are grateful that we can provide these items that help sick kids feel like kids while being treated. With the Starlight Hub's help, each hospital can order the exact products and number of things they need –all at no cost to them!
The Honor of Working with Such Amazing Hospital Partners Who Have Been on the Frontlines All Year
2020 was a difficult year for so many. But we know how hard it has been on our hospital partners working through this pandemic to take care of seriously ill kids. We are beyond grateful for every single hospital employee, from the doctors to the nurses to the child life specialists and so many more.
