Starlight Children's Foundation 2021 Annual Report

Starlight is proud of what we were able to accomplish in 2021. As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to magnify the loneliness, anxiety, and fear hospitalized kids experience, Starlight was there delivering comfort, happiness, and entertainment. Our programs, like Starlight Gaming, Starlight Deliveries, and Starlight Hospital Wear, provide a source of distraction and comfort for kids coping with their illness. 

Despite these challenges continuing throughout 2021, our supporters united to ensure that seriously ill kids could receive the support they needed through Starlight programs. Together, we impacted 2.1 million hospitalized kids at the time when they needed it the most. We are humbled and grateful for this outpouring of support.

Starlight worked hard to invest every single dollar into our programs to ensure maximum impact of each donation. With the support of our generous community, we accomplished so much:  

• 2.1 million hospitalized children and 580 pediatric facilities were impacted by Starlight programs.

• 102,989 Starlight Gowns were delivered to seriously ill kids. 

• 531,542 Starlight Virtual Reality sessions and 690,606 hours of Starlight Gaming occurred throughout the year.

• 705,703 toys, books, crafts, and other fun things were brought to kids through Starlight Deliveries.

• 126,846 kids enjoyed Starlight Spaces.

As part of our Commitment for Change — our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative — we focused on building a diverse Board of Directors and management team by adding several directors who represent various backgrounds and perspectives.  

This commitment also drove an increase in support of children in underserved communities. Of all the kids and hospitals supported by Starlight programs in 2021, we reached:  

• 47% of patients who identify as a child of color. 

• 62% of pediatric facilities serving high-poverty populations. 

• 38% of patients who benefit from Medicare/Medicaid services.