Recent Programs & Events
Cheers to 20 years!
On October 22nd, Shining Stars held our Virtual 20th Anniversary Kickoff Event and Fundraiser. The evening was spent celebrating 20 years of giving HOPE to children and families facing pediatric cancer or another life-threatening illness. Even though we couldn't all be together, we hope everyone enjoyed our virtual gathering and as we looked back on 20 memorable years as a foundation. A big thank you to the event chairs Julie Stovroff & Holly Reef, and honorary chairs Michael Ditchfield & Laura Calabrese Kruger! If you didn't get the chance to tune in, not to worry, you can view the entire event on our Facebook Page by clicking here!
Stars Shine with Furry Friends
Shining Stars, volunteers and their furry friends put on the first ever "Shining Stars Pet-squerade!" Each participant found a creative way to dress up with their pet. We had a "french" bulldog, a doodle dressed up as beanie baby, two yellow labs dressed as Thing 1 and Thing 2, a terrier dressed as a beekeeper, and the list goes on. We had a blast getting creative and sharing our favorite furry friends with the group!
Miller Farms Fall Harvest
Nearly 100 Shining Stars, siblings and parents joined us at Miller Farms in Platteville, CO for a day of veggie pickin' in the sunshine. After many months apart, our Shining Stars and their families got a chance to reconnect and catch up, all while harvesting fresh, healthy produce to take home. This was a perfect outdoor and safe activity for our families! Thank you to Miller Farms for hosting us again! Click here to view more photos from the event!
Family Dragon Boat Day
The president/founder of the Dragon Boat Racing Association of Colorado, Michael Boyd, and his crew of volunteers hosted the 4th Annual Dragon Boat Races at Lake Arbor Park in Arvada. Shining Stars and their families came out for another safe, outdoor event where everyone could have a great time while socially distancing. Thanks to the amazing team at the Dragon Boat Association and Shining Stars volunteers, Alena Lewis and Julie Murray who helped make sure families had a memorable and safe day on the boats! More Dragon Boat Day Photos Here!
KIDS HELPING KIDS
For over 20 years, we have partnered with local schools to provide meaningful, educational experiences that promote empathy, understanding and resilience. The pediatric cancer patients that we work with at Shining Stars Foundation often find our programs to be life-changing because when they are around other kids who understand their struggle, they are given the chance to feel normal. Often bullied and ostracized by their peers at school, our Shining Stars participants feel at home at our programs, where they are understood. Our goal through the Kids Helping Kids program is to extend that understanding to their peers in the classroom. We work with teachers or administrators to tailor programs to the goals of their curriculum. Click here to learn more about the different areas your students can get involved!
Young Adult Program Update
The Shining Stars Young Adult Mentorship Program reconnected for a socially distant BBQ after many months of only seeing each other virtually through the computer screen. While virtual programs have been a blast, getting together in person was a real treat for this group! The evening was spent catching up, playing yard games, eating a delicious meal together and ending the night with a group discussion to better understand the needs of our young adults during the times of COVID. Thank you so much to Kevin and Patty Moore for hosting this event at their home and cooking a delicious meal for our young adults and mentors! We are excited to continue virtual programs and begin planning our next in-person gathering! If you are a Shining Star that is now between the ages of 18-35 and are interested in joining/and or learning more about the program, please email Mackenzie@ShiningStarsFoundation.org for more information!
