We help seriously ill children
and their families cope with their pain, fear
and isolation through entertainment,
education and family activities.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to Laurèn Fitzback Couf, Florida's Volunteer of the Year

In conjunction with April’s Volunteer Appreciation Month, Starlight Florida is honored to present Laurèn Fitzback Couf with the first ever Jane Guterman and Nancy Shaller Award, the volunteer of the year award named after the office’s visionary founders.

After spending just a few minutes with Laurèn, you quickly learn that children are near and dear to her heart. She sees them as our future and believes that every one of them is entitled to a happy and healthy childhood. For this reason, Laurèn views the services provided by Starlight an absolute necessity for any seriously ill child, regardless of their background. For her, Starlight’s importance is derived from the immediate and positive impact that she sees our programs make; be it a Hospital Happening, a Fun Center placement or a monthly Great Escape event.

Laurèn began volunteering with Starlight Starbright in early 2005. As the President and Founder of Les Diplomates, a service club founded in 1986 with a membership composed of French speaking professionals, she was charged with the task of identifying charitable organizations in the community that provided services to sick children for the club to interview as a possible charitable partner. Laurèn and Les Diplomates proudly adopted Starlight Starbright as their official charity of choice. To date, her organization has raised more than $120,000 to support area services.

In addition to spending countless hours supporting Starlight with her Club, Laurèn also volunteers for Starlight through serving as Secretary of the Florida Office Advisory Council, recruiting new program volunteers, playing an active role on event committees, securing media coverage for events, and arranging presentations for Starlight with area executives, to name a few.

Laurèn is a true champion for our children with a heart of gold that she invests selflessly and consistently in our mission. She is constantly surpassing her expected role as a volunteer in many respects, including her willingness to take on any job; be it large or small, lending a hand before she can be asked to assist, and providing ongoing encouragement to the families we serve and working odd hours to prepare for a particular program or event. In fact, Laurèn forwent her usual birthday celebration and spent her birthday in the torrential rain, selling raffle tickets at our annual golf tournament. It is a great privilege to work alongside Laurèn and we thank her for her continued championship of the Starlight mission.

Find out more about Volunteering.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

Mothers of Seriously Ill Children Receive Spa Treatment
Courtesy of Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa

The Red Door Spa located inside the Galleria Mall in downtown Fort Lauderdale hosted a special Mother’s Day Great Escapes™ event on Tuesday, May 6th.

The Great Escapes program was developed by Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation to provide families with seriously ill children opportunities to relax as a family at fun filled events that make them feel special and enable them to meet other families in similar circumstances.

The Red Door Spa treated mothers and their seriously ill daughters to an evening of pampering, relaxation and quality time together away from the hospital environment and medical treatments. Mothers and daughters received manicures and pedicures, hair styling, neck and shoulder massages, mini facials and custom makeup while enjoying an assortment of hors d'oeuvres generously provided by the Blue Martini.

This event is made possible through the generous support of Red Door Spa.

Companies and individuals interested in sponsoring or volunteering in the Great Escapes program should call 954-318-2178.