At the Starlight Children's Foundation's annual A Stellar Night gala on Friday, March 19, 2010 at The Century Plaza Hyatt Regency Hotel, Starlight presented Larry Flax and Rick Rosenfield, Co-Founders of California Pizza Kitchen, with its 2010 “Heart of Gold Award” and Noel R. Wallace, President of Colgate U.S., with its “Jacki Carlish Humanitarian of the Year Award.”
Co-hosted by jazz great and Starlight Global Ambassador Dave Koz and actors and StarPower Ambassadors Chris and Kyle Massey, the night also featured live entertainment from the legendary Dionne Warwick and young recording artist Maddie Lauer.
Co-chaired by Starlight board members Carol Savoie, David Getson and John Rosenberg, “A Stellar Night” showcased inspirational stories from Starlight families and paid tribute to humanitarians, who are helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation.
Famous for its Very Important Kids (VIK) Lounge, which was this year sponsored by Nintendo of America, Inc., “A Stellar Night” invited adults to bring children to teach them about the importance of philanthropy and to share the impact that Starlight’s programs have on families with seriously ill children…brightening their world, a little each day. Many of Starlight’s young and dedicated StarPower Ambassador celebrity supporters volunteered in the Nintendo Kids Lounge, demonstrating the power of giving back and making the night even more memorable for Starlight’s young guests. Young celebrities in attendance included StarPower Spokesperson and actress Bailee Madison, as well as teen sensation Austin Anderson.
Additional celebrity guests included former Dodgers baseball player Steve Garvey, renowned entertainer, composer and philanthropist Sheila E. and Starlight supporters Mr. T and Steve Schirripa. Dinner Committee members included Corbin Bleu, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dakota Fanning and William Shatner.
When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of chapters and offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital- based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit www.starlight.org.
