Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest
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My daughter has alot of medical problems. We have been with this program for almost 2 years. It is so nice to go some where where you don't worry about allergies etc. I know it is safe for her. I like it that we can meet other families. She went to the Glee Prom and that was memories to last a life time.Also she met some wonderful friends. When you have a child with medical problems you don't get to do many outtings because they may be unsafe for the child or money. Medical bills are expensive. It is so nice to have a day to laugh. Best of all to see your child smile is priceless. Thank you Starlight for being there for us..
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
They have been there for us. For Christmas they gave us gifts. We had no money to buy them. They do so many nice things for children.. The outtings are wonderful!!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hopefully they can raise more money and be able to serve more children and families.. Everyone with a child with medical problems should have a Starlight..
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
How did you find this group?
My friend told us about this.
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
They gave my child a chance to be a child and be with other kids. They taught her it is okay to have medical problems and there are other chldren that have medical problems too. You can still have fun..
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
My family has been involved with The Starlight Children's Foundation for almost 10 years now. We enjoy many events as well as making many friends. We have several that we have been friends with the entire 10 years. It is awesome to be able to do things we normally would not be able to afford to do, thankfully Starlight give us opportunities to do things we would not be able to partake in.
Having a daughter who has spent MANY days inpatient in the hospital, the fun centers have been a true help. Not only for my daughter who is in the hospital, but for her sister's who also get the chance to play with the fun centers. They have a blast and the Wii definitely makes time pass faster for us all!!
The hospital magicians are sure to bring a smile to everyone's face and are truly enjoyed by my family. We have seen them in outpatient waiting areas as well as in house.
The girls over the years have made friendships with not only other Starlight families, but with volunteers and employees as well.
A Child's smile is life's greatest blessings... Starlight has give my family many!! And, for that we are forever grateful...
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have 2 daughters who are chronically ill and are Starlight Children.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Not a thing, you guys are doing a great job.... Keep up the great work!!
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
How did you find this group?
Through the hospital social worker.
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
It has given my family the opportunity to do things that we would not be able to afford having 2 chronically ill children.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
Coming into my internship here at Starlight I wasn't sure what to expect. But now, after being here for 2 months, I have learned why Starlight is so special- Its staff is made of truly genuine and caring employees who give everything to execute the foundation's mission and help families and children in need. I have seen how much work is necessary in order to run all of the events and fundraisers as smoothly as Starlight does and am happy to contribute 120% to such an astounding cause. This is not an organization that I will be assisting with for 2 months and leave- It has made a special place in my heart and look forward to be a part of this organzation for many years to come! When you hear the touching stories of the children and families postively affected by our organzation, nothing brings more joy!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This organzation has touched my heart- I come to work everyday excited to be a part of something so unique and special to many families and children in the midwest.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
None- Such a great environment with amazing people and a beautiful cause!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
I have had the honor to be an intern with Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest over the last month, and am continuing throughout the summer. This organization is very special in a variety of ways. The work place is extremely efficient, supportive, encouraging and fun. There is a sense of passion and commitment within every member of the organization, and it is empowering to work with an organization where the different members are absolutely on the same page with one another. While there is a lot of work that goes on in the office, I leave each day feeling like I am giving back to the community, in particular to the children and families that we serve. While attending the various events I have had the pleasure to help plan and execute, I leave feeling extremely happy and proud because of the differences we make in the lives of these families. On top of that, it is great to hear such positive feedback from our families and kids - like Starlight helps them to just feel like the kids they are and forget about being sick! Overall, I believe Starlight to be an absolutely unique and outstanding NonProfit organization that is truly irreplacable - it is remarkable to talk to families pre-Starlight and post-Starlight and see the difference in morale and attitude.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Speaking with families at events and after events. I have also seen the genuine happiness and joy on the faces of the families and children, and it makes me appreciate my life more than I ever have in my life. While Starlight changes the lives of sick children and their families, it has absolutely without a doubt changed mine as well.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make it better known! It is remarkable how many families who need our care recognize what we are doing and apply. I wish that anyone and everyone in need of Starlight's services knew about us.
Recently, we held our ‘Father’s Day at the Lincoln Park Zoo’ Great Escape event for over 20 Starlight Families. During one activity, a zoo-wide scavenger hunt, volunteers were stationed at eight different checkpoints for families to find. At each station, families had to complete a physical challenge (e.g. Waddle like a penguin, bark like a seal, give your dad a bear hug) and answer a trivia question (e.g. Q: What color is a polar bear’s fur? A: Trick question--the fur is transparent!), before receiving a clue to the next station. Both Starlight families and volunteers had a blast—one participant even climbed into a tree to earn extra points for the ‘act like a monkey’ challenge! At this event, Starlight Families had the opportunity to spend time with one another and return home with a renewed sense of strength.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
volunteer opportunities with our Great Escapes Program.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find a way to decrease the length of waitlists for our events. If Starlight received more funding, we could facilitate bigger Great Escapes and insure that every Starlight Family that wants to attend an event is able to.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I planned and executed a Great Escape event from start to finish. I do not know of any other organization that mentors and supports its interns at this level.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Thankful
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
As a person who is involved in the planning and execution of programming, I've been given the opportunity to see first hand what an incredible difference this organization makes in the lives of the children and families involved. The stories I hear from these families everyday are truly inspirational and I feel so grateful to be able to play a tiny part in relieving the stress and isolation so many families with sick children face in their everyday lives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
This past weekend we held a Father's Day event at Lincoln Park Zoo where one family drove four hours with five kids, one being wheelchair bound, to attend the event and be with their fellow Starlight families. If that doesn't speak to the incredible work this organization does and the relationship it forms with its' families, I don't know what does.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way to spread the word to more families who need this type of programming so every seriously ill or injured child and their family across the midwest could be a part of this incredible program.
Starlight has been a Godsend to my family. They've enabled us to enjoy going to places and doing things we'd never be able to afford on our own. Starlight helps us to remember what's really important in life: sharing time with the ones you love. Everyone I've ever dealt with at Starlight has been wonderful, too. I'd give them 2 thumbs up!! :)
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
We've gone to several baseball games, Cavalia horseshow (a favorite), Medieval Times, Disney on Ice shows, the zoo, sailing, Lake Michigan dinner cruise, Dave and Busters, etc...
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would like to see some events planned that are south of Chicago.
After volunteering at a recent event at the Lincoln Park Zoo I had a chance to see firsthand how important Starlight is in many families that are coping with the illness of a child. Starlight's dedication to ensuring all the families had a wonderful time and were taken care of was amazing and I look forward to future opportunities to work with them!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the amazing positive impact that the Starlight events have on the children and families that attend them.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Try to reach out to more volunteers on college campuses. The more people know about Starlight, the more they want to get involved!
Having recently joined Starilght, I am more impressed than ever with the Foundation's impact on the lives of the children and families we serve. Lives truly are brightened; pain, fear and isolation are reduced. Thanks to Starlight sick kids get to be just regular kids for a little while and parents get the joy of watching that happen! Check us out and join the fun we create!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Hospital visits, Great Escape family outings, and conversations with kids and parents.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Grow it faster than it is already growing so we could help more kids and families.
Starlight is an excellent advocate and resource for children and families coping with chronic illness and hospitalization. Their Wii Fun Centers allow children to experience a piece of "normal life" even when hospitalized and bring an instant smile to the children's (and often times, other family member's) faces. The Great Escapes program is an excellent way to provide families activities that unite them as a family and social support from other families.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the hospital setting as well as community settings.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
advocate for them to be able to conduct Great Escape events in multiple cities & states!
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