Let Starlight into their lives

By Melissa Grant
THE Starlight Children’s Foundation is calling on volunteers to help raise a huge $2.2 million to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families.
The foundation has launched a nationwide appeal for 5000 volunteers to help with the selling of Starlight Day merchandise in an effort to make its annual fundraising day on Friday, May 4, bigger and better than ever before.
Locals can help raise much-needed funds by volunteering to sell Starlight Day merchandise at Fountain Gate and Endeavour Hills shopping centres over the Starlight Day period.
Endeavour Hills resident Kimberley Bulka has answered the foundation’s call, volunteering to sell pins, stickers, pens, key rings and other merchandise on Starlight Day at Endeavour Hills shopping centre.
Ms Bulka, who is also a nurse at Dandenong Hospital, put her hand up to help after seeing the work that Starlight has done during her two years as a nurse.
“Just seeing what they did made me want to help and give something back to the community,” she said.
The Starlight Foundation visits Dandenong Hospital about once a month and has provided the Children’s Ward with four “purple fun machines” and numerous DVDs.
Although Ms Bulka has been working at Dandenong Hospital Children’s Ward for only two months she has seen how much joy Starlight has bought for sick children.
“The purple fun machines and even the DVDs just bring a bit of fun back into their life,” she said.
People can also raise funds by holding a Star Party during May. There are five party themes: Star-BQ, Super Star (dress up party), Star T party, 5-Star dinner and Cocktail Party.
At this stage Starlight reaches only one in three of all 600,000 child hospital admissions in Australia each year. Starlight CEO Jill Weekes said the funds raised from Starlight Day would be crucial in giving as many children as possible the opportunity to benefit from Starlight’s programs.
“The volunteers are the real stars of Starlight Day and with their generosity, as well as that of the community, we will be able to touch the lives of even more seriously ill children at a time when they need it most,” Ms Weekes said.
Volunteers should call 1300 727 827 or visit www.starlightday.org.au