Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest

We love the blank pillow cases as the children can decorate or leave messages for their loved one that is hospitalized. Or we use them so when visitors come they sign in so the pt knows who is sending well wishes. We have also used them for the parents to write a note to their child so that while they are apart they are never really very far to lay on the love note sent from their parent.

Starlight Midwest is an amazing organization. Through them our family has been able to participate in so many wonderful events. Having a special needs child often makes it difficult to participate in things such as going to the zoo or attending a ball game. Starlight Midwest takes all of the hassle away and let's us enjoy just like any other family!

Starlight gives us opportunities to attend special events and connect with other families facing similar challenges. We would not be able to afford these events if not for Starlights generousity We have been a starlight family since 2007!

As a non profit hospital we rely on donations of toys, games and books to allow our children to have less boredoom and stress while in the hospital. The items that Starlight provides allow us to help our kids heal faster and use our funds for the medical side of the hospital. Starlight has excellent quality and timeliness and they are very good at communication regarding what is available and how to receive it. They are a 1st class organization and we are blessed to be a partner with them.

Starlight has been a joy to be part of . The events and the experince of meeting other families is wonderful. It has given my family time away to enjoy ourselves and break away from stress. Thank you Starlight and keep up the fantastic work.

Starlight foundation has been a blessing to my son as well as the rest of my family. Whatever events they may have to offer are always well Planned and organized with the goal being to give everyone a good time, it is always Appreciated. We are also grateful to the wonderful staff, volunteers, and most of all the event sponsors, we are truly grateful for your selfless generosity.

Starlight is been exceptional providing to my entire family with great ways to enjoy events that takes our mind away from hospital, pain, medical bills, etc. It's nice to have the opportunity for my 6 kids to enjoy an event were they can see their little sister laugh and having fun. Once in while is nice to have the opportunity to take our kids to enjoy an activity that it's free, don't need to worry about the financial stress. Starlight is been providing my entire family with an amazing time in every single event.

I've had the pleasure of working with Starlight as a volunteer and YES board member for the past 5 years. I have witnessed first hand the positive changes that Starlight has made on the children and their families. I know Starlight will continue to enhance the lives of terminally ill children and my hope is that more families take advantage of their services.

I have now seen Starlight from the inside out, and have been very impressed with the work they do. They are thoughtful in how they use donor money, and never fail to bring smiles to families' faces. Everyone I have ever encouraged to work with Starlight comes away genuinely impressed and excited to support the organization in any way they can. I am so proud to be involved with Starlight.

I have had the pleasure of working with the Starlight organization for about 2 years now, and I am continuously blown away by the work they do and the impact they have not only on the children, but the families of the children as well.

It's tragic what these kids have to go through, and the work Starlight does to bring some brightness and positive outlook into the lives of the people involved is amazing. It goes much deeper than treatment and hospital stays - it helps the kids and parents cope with what can seem to be an impossible situation at times. The stories I've heard and kids I've had the privilege of interacting with first-hand are a great testament to the work Starlight does.

As someone who has volunteered for many years and for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations I can say without hesitation that Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest is the best agency with which I have ever been affiliated. Each of the staff members and volunteers is fully dedicated to Starlight's mission, and this shows in the wonderful events put on for all of the deserving children and families. I am truly honored to be a part of such an amazing organization, and I fully plan to remain involved with Starlight for many years to come.

I was a volunteer for Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest annual Gala this year and I felt as if all the workers and volunteers were on the same page and were working for a single common goal. Starlight does great things for ill children and their families, in various different ways. For all the nonprofits that I've had the chance to work for, Starlight has been the most dedicated towards a goal and the faculty and other volunteers were a joy to work with. Starlight Midwest does wonders and will continue to for quite sometime.

We were introduced to Starlight when my son was very young and undergoing treatment for renal insufficiency. We have been able to attend many of the events in the Milwaukee area and a couple in the Chicago area. They treat the whole family with dignity and enthusiasm. What a joy to be welcomed into this group!

Starlight Children's Foundation is a wonderful organization giving kids experiences that they might not otherwise get. We were lucky enough to receive tickets for our family of 4 to see Kenny Chesney in Milwaukee, WI last weekend. Wow! What an incredible experience. What topped off the whole night was the fact that it didn't cost us anything. That was really great. We would not have been able to go if it weren't for Starlight. We have thoroughly enjoyed their escapes over the past couple of years. This one topped the list, though.

Each year, I host a fundraiser that raises money for a Great Nonprofit. I my mind, one of the greatest I have encountered was Starlight Midwest. I have been at many of the kids' events and have seen firsthand the impact this organization makes on the children (and families) they serve. One of their precious smiles will change your day... a roomful will change your life.

Starlight Midwest truly sets the bar for making charity work about the people they serve. As a volunteer for Starlight, I have felt that the families truly come first, and that my time is valued and spent wisely. The Great Escapes are so unique since they focus on the entire family, and not just the child themselves. As much as the kids love it, the parents may enjoy it more! Truly a wonderful, world-class, and honest charity. Go Starlight!

Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest is a truly empowering organization. It empowers its staff, volunteers, and interns to be creative, innovative workers. It empowers its families and children to be happy by providing safe-spaces where every kid can just be a kid, without stares or judgement. I am very grateful for the time I've been able to spend with this organization.

Long time volunteer for Starlight Children's Foundation and 2 years ago move to Indiana and joined as volunteer Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest. Great Escape events I have been involved with include zoo party, halloween party, Golfing with the Notre Dame Men's Golf Team and other sporting events at Notre Dame including Spring Blue and Gold Football game, volleyball game and softball game. Recently helped Notre Dame students with a Halloween Party and now organizing a Christmas Party. Also volunteer with the Hospital Happenings Program with bingo and crafts at local hospital. Starlight Children's Foundation makes a big difference in the lives of children with serious medical condtions and their family members.

My grand niece was born with Cystic Fibrosis over 30 years ago. In part because of CFRI she has been able to marry and have a child. This is a miracle that was not thought possible at the time of her birth. Thank you, CFRI, not only for the gift of life, but even more for providing research that has resulted in real quality of life for my grand niece and so many oters like her!

Every day, 1 in 11 American children battle critical anc chronic medical conditions. Starligt provides unique and vital resources to children touched by serious illnes. We serve children and teens of all ages, regardless of disease or injury, gender, race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. And we support their families too. ~ I have Volunteered with Starlight for 18 years. A wonderful organization!

Without Starlight's support of pediatric hospitals throughout the DC area and surrounding states - and the country - and overseas - I can't imagine how we could afford all the important programs they provide for hospitalized kids. Thank you Starlight.

Starlight is beautiful & special in our family's hearts. They provide possibilities to children that wouldn't have opportunities otherwise.

Starlight Children's Foundation is a wonderful non-profit organization that brings joy, and happiness to very sick children and their families. I started interning at Starlight Midwest in June 2012, but had experienced Starlight's impact prior to arriving here. A seriously ill friend of mine got to use a fun centre while being in the hospital. It's so nice to be able to have a distraction, and just spend time with family and friends to forget about the hospital atmosphere. Starlight also does "Great Escapes" which allow for kids and families to experience normalcy and have fun being an average kid. These events are free for the starlight child and their family to attend, which allows for a stress free day. I'm very proud and grateful to say I was able to work with such an amazing foundation, helpful team, generous donors, and all around caring, good-hearted people that do such great things for sick kids and their families. I will continue to be heavily involved with this foundation and have had a truly rewarding experience.

This organization is passionate about creating exciting and fun activities for children who critically and chronically ill. It's so great to see families go out and have a good time without having to worry about what others will think. The activies help families bond with others and allows them to have something to look forward to. Everyone in the organization was so sweet and you could tell that they were passionate about the work that they were doing. I would definitely recommend this organization to other people.

Starlight Midwest is one of the greatest nonprofits I have ever been involved with. Their mission to help chronically ill children and their familes cope with the pain of illnesses is reflected in everything that they do.

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..

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...

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!

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.

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.

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!! :)

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!

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.

I am so grateful for my experience at Starlight Children's Foundation Midwest. Before becoming an intern, I had not heard of Starlight. I am glad that I was able to have an internship with Starlight. Not only have I been able to help touch the life of the children and their families, but Starlight has touched me as well. I have been able to gain experience in an office setting. One of the best experiences I have had with Starlight was being able to pass out boxes of Christmas gifts to our families. They were so thankful and touched by the generosity of strangers. I learned that even the littlest things can make a big difference. I know that I will always be connected to Starlight Midwest.

Before I moved to Chicago, I didn’t know anything about Starlight Children’s Foundation. After interning with this organization for a semester, I know I will always be involved in Starlight Children’s Foundation. Working with this non profit organization in particular has allowed me to gain so much and see how Starlight touches kid’s lives. When I get a chance to go to the great escapes, the enthusiasm and energy the kids have could light up a room, because of what Starlight does. This past Saturday I got the chance to attend a cosmic bowling great escape. I painted children’s faces, helped them write thank you cards, and got to capture the moments on camera. Every child had a smile on their face. I was also thanked every five minutes for what I do. The mission of Starlight describes it all, they brighten children’s lives. Without Starlight many children who are suffering would not have the opportunity to escape the pain and fear of their illness. I am thankful for the chance to work with Starlight Children’s Foundation Midwest and help in brightening kid’s lives.

I am so grateful for my experience with Starlight Midwest. As a volunteer intern, I am able to help improve the quality of life for critically ill children and their families by planning family outings and hospital celebrations. I sent a St. Patrick’s Day “Party in a Box” that included party and craft supplies to several hospitals throughout Midwest so that the children could still enjoy this holiday even if confined to pediatric care units. I felt so much joy receiving emails and letters from the hospitals expressing their appreciation for the gifts, and I am thankful that my service helped distract the children from the pain and stress of their everyday lives. I am now planning a Mothers’ Day Great Escape in which young girls and their mothers can enjoy a “princess party,” getting makeovers, playing dress-up, and riding in a Hummer Limo. I can’t wait to witness the fun and excitement! Not only has Starlight given me the opportunity to provide these wonderful services, but through my internship I have learned great project-planning skills that will transfer into my future career.