Star Parties were launched for the first time on Starlight Day last year, with more than a hundred Star Parties held across Australia. In 2008, generous supporters will continue to arrange and host their Star Party, whether through work, a club, school or friends.
A Superstar Day at School
The students of Wakehurst School played games and dressed up as superstars at school, raising more than $1,000 for the Starlight charity! For a gold coin donation the children came to school dressed as stars like Lleyton Hewitt, Harry Potter, Jack Sparrow and Bart Simpson, and they all met Star Man. There were also games to play, a lucky dip, flashing magic star wands and star key rings available for purchase.
Parents Lisa and Chris decided to turn their son’s first birthday party into a Starlight party. Lisa had 30 friends and family over for a BBQ, decorating their home in purple and yellow Starlight colours. Guests purchased Starlight merchandise and munched on a fantastic birthday cake that was a choo-choo train, with purple and yellow carriages!
This fantastic party raised over $250 for Starlight, with parents Lisa and Chris saying, “Our Star Party was a great success. It felt terrific to contribute to something so worthwhile and we’re sure when our son is old enough, he will appreciate the gesture.”
Mums-N-Bubs Star T-Party
An easy and social way to raise funds for a good cause is to turn a regular meeting into a Star Party. Anthea did just this with her Mums-N-Bubs group by throwing a Star T-Party, and selling raffle tickets to win wine and hair cut vouchers from her sister-in-law’s barber shop.
Anthea’s own niece came into contact with Starlight four years ago, when she was hospitalised, and now her whole family are strong supporters of the charity. She commented, “Now that we’re all mothers, it’s great to know that if our children are hospitalised there are organisations like Starlight that help make their treatment easier and more fun.”
A Celebrity Star Party
Last year Macquarie Private Wealth in Perth, a division of the Macquarie Group, raised money for charity when staff members dressed up as iconic female celebrities, including men. The Macquarie Group, a supporter of Starlight since 2005, then held a staff competition to determine who would spend Starlight Day in costume. Famous film stars emerged such as Shirley Temple!
The Macquarie Group Foundation matched the $9,544 raised from their Star Party, resulting in a $20,000 donation to Starlight, bringing smiles to the faces of many seriously ill children.
A big thanks to everyone at Macquarie Private, including the unsuspecting male workers!
