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Starlight Children's Foundation MidAtlantic > How to Help > Volunteer

Volunteer

Starlight MidAtlantic's volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. Without the commitment of those who believe in our cause, Starlight MidAtlantic could hardly fulfill our obligations to thousands of chronically ill children. As a volunteer, you will get to experience the unmatched feeling of fulfillment that comes with bringing joy to a sick child.

Here's how:

• Think about what area of work you would enjoy most. Starlight MidAtlantic volunteers do a lot of different things. Some coordinate special events, others assist with fundraising, and yet some help with Hospital Happenings and Great Escapes events. Think about your own unique skills and how they might benefit Starlight MidAtlantic's efforts. Starlight MidAtlantic offers the opportunity to work in the following areas:

* Hospital Happenings, our in-hospital parties
* Great Escapes, family outings
* Special Events
* Community Events
* Fundraisers
* In Office Support
*and much more!

• To start Volunteering with Starlight MidAtlantic please Download a Volunteer Application and fax it to 202-293-9060 .

Questions? E-mail our volunteer coordinator:
Katie Strumpf at katie.strumpf@starlight-midatlantic.org

Volunteer of the Month

October Volunteer of the Month
Star Volunteer: Palak Parikh

Fun Fact About Palak: "I have been participating in Indian classical dancing since I was 5 years old and I am a huge Washington Redskins fan!"

More About Palak: "I am currently a second year dental student at the University of Maryland and I am considering a career in pediatric dentistry. I really enjoy working with children and over the years I have come to truly admire their innocence, optimism and enthusiasm in everything they do! I believe that children have so much to offer to the world and I have learned a great deal by working with them. I have always had a passion for volunteering and I attended my first hospital party with Starlight when I was in high school. I am hoping to help bring Hospital Happenings to Baltimore city hospitals and give more individuals the opportunity to witness and experience the joy that Starlight brings to so many children!"

About Volunteering: "I love volunteering my time for the Hospital Happenings program. It is such a rewarding program that gives children the opportunity to leave their hospital beds and just have fun, laugh, play with other children, and engage in activities that I feel should be a part of every child’s life. I feel privileged to be part of a program that allows kids to just be kids, regardless of their condition, and brings smiles to so many little faces."

September Volunteer of the Month
We are lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers in our region. We would not be able to do as many special events and programs for our children and their families without help from volunteers. Our many thanks go out to Brittany!

Star Volunteer: Starlight MidAtlantic Teen Ambassador Brittany Sullivan, Miss Teen Maryland International 2008

Fun Fact About Brittany: "I am an advanced SCUBA diver, having dove in shipwrecks and caves in places such as Honduras and Hawaii."

More About Brittany: "I am sixteen years old and am currently a junior at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. Along with being an honor student and a varsity cheerleader, I am currently the reigning Miss Teen Maryland International 2008. The International system has been developed to promote today's young women, ages 13-18, and their accomplishments. Around the world, women are finding this system to be the opportunity to work with others and to become positive role models in society. I am proud to be the Teen Ambassador for Starlight MidAtlantic, and am currently raising money to donate a Fun Center to a local hospital which will be in memory of my grandfather who died this summer after a long battle with cancer."

About Volunteering: "I love to volunteer for Starlight MidAtlantic because this is an organization that is so close to my heart. Starlight MidAtlantic's mission is to help bring joy to seriously ill children and their families. Ever since I was born, my mother has suffered from Crohn's disease, which is a chronic illness. Being a part of a family dealing with an illness can be difficult and very scary. I love to volunteer with Starlight MidAtlantic, because I am able to give back to others what I was never able to have."

August Volunteer of the Month
We are lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers in our region. We would not be able to do as many special events and programs for our children and their families without help from volunteers. Our many thanks go out to Darlene!

Star Volunteer: Darlene M Kleinschmidt

Fun Fact About Darlene: "I love photography and I am a huge Philadelphia Phillies fan."

More About Darlene: "As an Account Executive in the mortgage industry for the past five years I have seen a lot of ups and downs. Last year, when things were going so well for me, I felt a strong need to give something back. I was fortunate enough to come in contact with Starlight MidAlantic. They were looking for someone to photograph their “Great Escapes” program. I knew right away that this was something I wanted to do. Since then, photographing the children and visiting with the children at Saint Christopher’s Hospital as given a new sense of purpose to my life."

About Volunteering: "There are tons of organizations that do wonderful things for people, but, to me, there is something extra special about Starlight MidAtlantic. I feel truly lucky to work with these children and their families. Just to know that they have a resource that gives them the ability to take a day trip or to bond with other families going through similar situations, is huge. This has to be one of the best things I have ever been involved with and I am grateful to be able to volunteer and be a part of such a great foundation."

July Volunteer of the Month
We are lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers in our region. We would not be able to do as many special events and programs for our children and their families without help from volunteers. Deborah is a valued part of the Starlight MidAtlantic team!

Star Volunteer: Deborah Geiger

Fun Fact About Deborah: "I am starting to learn to play golf and I am going to Italy this September!"

More About Deborah: "I have worked for the The Driggs Company LLC as an accountant for the past 2 years. I moved from CA to MD 2 years ago. I have moved around all my life, but MD has always been home. MD is where the majority of my family lives. I got involved with Starlight MidAtlantic at the Children's Hospital during a santa event at Christmas time. I love making a brighter day for those who need it most specially around the holidays."

About Volunteering: "I love bringing smiles to the kids and their families at all the different events I have helped out with. Seeing their smile brightens my life everyday. The golf tournament so far was my favorite, but I also like spending time at the NIH."

June Volunteer of the Month
In June we honored Jordan Parker!

Star Volunteer: Jordan Parker

Fun Fact About Amanda: "I love to swing, jump in mud puddles, and am addicted to chocolate!"

More About Jordan: I major in literary arts at Appomattox Governor's School. Writing is my passion but I love all art as a form of self expression. I am a big sister of four and have always loved being around children. One of my brothers was born pre-mature because of birth defects. He is perfectly healthy now but an understanding of how it feels to have a sibling or child hospitalized has always stuck with me. I know the feeling of loss and helplessness that families of seriously ill children experience, after losing my dad at eleven. I enjoy hanging out with friends, tutoring and doing service projects with my church youth group. I believe that helping children is my purpose and hope to become a pediatric surgeon, this summer I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend a medical forum where I will learn more about the field of medicine.

About Volunteering: “I love to volunteer for the Great Escapes program because I am able to form relationships with some amazing children and their families. I love bringing a smile to their faces and seeing how good it makes them feel for me to remember their names or something they told me about a month before. Our events take stress away from their families and allow them time to spend together, knowing that we truly care about them. I learn so much about strength and patience from Starlight families and I am so grateful for that opportunity."

May Volunteer of the Month
In May we saluted Amanda Thomas!

Star Volunteer: Amanda Thomas

Fun Fact About Amanda: "I am about to get married!"

More About Amanda: Amanda works for Bayada Nurses in King of Prussia, PA. “I love the company I work for because they take care of people in the comfort of their own homes and help them keep the dignity and independence that is sometimes lost in a facility setting. I love helping others and when I was new in the area, Starlight MidAtlantic was the perfect opportunity for me to meet other people in the area while also helping to bring smiles to little faces!”

About Volunteering: “I love to volunteer for the Great Escapes program because it is so much fun to see the kids, parents, and siblings experience a new adventure that otherwise they may not have had the opportunity to experience. It is great to see the whole family have a night out with no worries and it’s also a great way for the parents to meet other parents who are going through similar situations.”

April Volunteer of the Month
In April we saluted Evon Banks!

Star Volunteer: Evon Banks (EB)

Fun Fact About Evon: "I love being part of an activity that gives a child joy."

More About Evon: Evon has worked as a contractor to the Federal Government for over 15 years and part-time as a receptionist in an apartment complex for 20 years. She enjoys working with and around people who like helping others. She is a single mother of one and says her extended family through Starlight MidAtlantic makes her complete.

About Volunteering: "Not only does Starlight MidAtlantic interact with the welfare of the children, but they allow their families to interact also. Without love and family what do you have? Starlight MidAtlantic brings the love and happiness to reality, which is a cause to remember."

Starlight MidAtlantic helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

1054 31st Street, NW, Suite 410B| Washington, DC 20007 | (202) 293-STAR (7827)