Last August Alan came across a media press release about Starlight Foundation in Los Angeles, CA. Alan contacted Starlight and they directed us to their Seattle chapter. Starlight does many things for seriously ill children. From sponsoring game consoles at childrens hospitals to sponsoring family events, their goal is to make a difference in the lives of sick children. Erin’s application was accepted in August/September 2008 and most of their events had past. This summer we have been able to take full advantage of the program. As spring approached, I began receiving emails about their Great Escapes events. Here is a recap of some of our spring/summer activities through Starlight.
Celtic Woman – Isle of Hope
May 17th we were able to take the entire family to see Celtic Woman. I wasn’t sure how the kids would react to the production but they truly enjoyed the show. We sat in the balcony seating with the other Starlight families. Our view was amazing! There would have been no way we would have been able to take the entire family to see a show like that. Our seats were valued at $95 a piece!! Quite impossible to take a family of five at that price.
Schooner Mallory Todd – “Brightening the lives of ill children with sailing trips on the healing seas”
On June 3rd, we took an evening schooner ride on the Mallory Todd along with a few other Starlight Families and families staying at the Ronald McDonald house. It took Erin a little while to get her sea legs but once she gained her confidence she was all over the boat. The crew took us around Union Bay. We saw an amazing sunset and multimillion dollar yachts. The highlight of the evening was watching sea planes take off and land right next to the boat. The kids couldn’t get enough of the sea planes.
Pioneer Farm
On Father’s Day we were treated to a day at Pioneer Farm Museum and Ohop Indian Village. Two hours south of Woodinville is this quaint pioneer and Ohop Indian village. We spent some time learning how the pioneers lived out their daily lives. The boys loved grinding coffee beans and making corn meal. Erin pounced around in pioneer style clothes. Their favorite part was the working barn. Erin fell in love with the resident pig, Bacon Bits. Bacon Bits was a bit stinky but she didn’t mind. Larkin hung around the chicken coupe. He was on a mission to find as many eggs possible. Brennan had the opportunity to ride a horse. Then we walked over and saw what life was like for the Ohop Indians. The kids played traditional Ohop Indian games and made bean bracelets. The kids loved the entire experience! Since then I have taken the kids to antique shows and they are on the lookout for pioneer stuff. Yeah…good luck!
We truly would not have had the opportunity to do so many fun things if it wasn’t for Starlight. One of the amazing benefits being a part of Starlight is that they sponsor a Christmas shopping experience in August. Alan went to the Seattle chapter’s warehouse and was able to pick out three toys for each child. He came home with Legos, K’nex, Barbies, etc. Since all the kids’ birthdays are in August we decided to give them their gifts now instead of waiting for December. Thanks to Starlight we had a Christmas in August!
