LOS ANGELES, Calif. (CitizenWire) — At Starlight Children’s Foundation’s annual “A Stellar Night” gala, presented by California Pizza Kitchen (NASDAQ:CPKI) and Nintendo of America Inc., on Saturday, March 26, 2011, at The Century Plaza Hyatt Regency Hotel, Starlight presented long-time philanthropists Kathy, Paris and Nicky Hilton with its 2011 “Heart of Gold Award” and Do Won Chang, Founder/CEO of Forever 21, Inc., with its 2011 “Jacki Carlish Humanitarian Award.”
Co-hosted by Jenni Pulos, from Bravo’s “Flipping Out,” and Bailee Madison, actress from “Just Go With It” and Starlight StarPower Spokesperson, the night was attended by best-selling author and Starlight Global Ambassador Tony DiTerlizzi, Starlight Spokesperson Corbin Bleu, internationally-published photojournalist Melissa Roth, actresses Chrishell Stause and Brooke Mueller-Sheen and also featured live entertainment from former Starlight child and cancer survivor Zacharia (www.zachariamusic.com).
Co-chaired by Starlight board member and Variety publisher Brian Gott, “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.
“I am so honored that Starlight is presenting my sister, my mother and me with its ‘Heart of Gold Award’ tonight,” said Nicky Hilton. “The award recognizes those who have big hearts and have supported Starlight in improving the quality of life for young people. Recently, my family invited several Starlight families to our home to help them forget their worries for a little while. We had such a fun time together – playing games, having lunch – and it was nice to see the children that afternoon smile and play and laugh. The event we hosted at our home was an experience I’ll never forget.”
“I am honored to receive Starlight’s ‘Jacki Carlish Humanitarian Award,'” said Do Won Chang. “[Forever 21] worked with Starlight last holiday season to sell bracelets with the message ‘give to love, love to give.’ Like it says in the bible in 1 John 3:18: ‘Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.’ In a world with so much tragedy, especially now in Japan, I pray that each of us will do our part to help those that are in need. Thank you Starlight for this great honor and thank you to God for his many blessings.”
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 (www.starlight.org/starpowerambassadors) volunteered in the 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: actors Ashley Argota, Romi Dames, Sammi Hanratty, Rob Pinkston, Nadji Jeter, Devon Gearhart, Jillian Clare, Field Cate, Brennan Bailey, Preston Bailey, Allen Alvarado, Tyler Foden, Zane Huett, Dominic Scott Kay, Peyton List, Spencer List, Joey Luthman, Jackson Odell and Daniel Samonas, and recording artists Ashlee Keating, Austin Anderson, Chloe Jordache and Tyler Shamy and Starlight supporter Nolan Gould.
In addition to California Pizza Kitchen and Nintendo of America Inc., sponsors of “A Stellar Night” included: Michaels Stores, Inc., Bickerstaff Family Foundation, Vivendi, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Forever 21, The Walt Disney Company, Wyndham Worldwide, Insomniac Games, Kaye Scholer LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, Lisa & Kevin Mayer and Morrison & Foerster LLP.
For more highlights and photos from the evening, send an email to presshelp@starlight.org .
About Starlight Children’s Foundation:
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 .
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