#United States #Glendale #Colossal #Starlight Foundation #Face of Halloween

A Joyful Collaboration: Starlight Children's Foundation and Colossal's Face of Halloween

In an extraordinary display of community spirit, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, alongside the professional fundraising organization Colossal, proudly announced the successful culmination of their recent Face of Halloween competition. This engaging event raised an impressive total of $3.2 million, all geared towards spreading joy to hospitalized children.

The celebration unfolded at Banner Children's at Thunderbird Medical Center in Glendale, Arizona, where the victorious participant, Ollie Graves, was officially recognized. Ollie, a true fan of horror cinema, particularly enjoyed all things spooky and costumed himself for the occasion. As a reward, he not only took home a grand prize of $13,000 but also received an exclusive opportunity to meet and mingle with iconic figures from the horror film scene, including the legendary Jamie Lee Curtis and well-known slasher veterans Matthew Lillard and Kane Hodder.

Mary Hagen, the CEO of Colossal, expressed her enthusiasm about the initiative and its benefits for Starlight. She articulated how such public engagement facilitates awareness for the Starlight Children's Foundation. "Public voting allows us to raise awareness while encouraging participation and fostering community support. Being able to witness firsthand the tangible impact of our fundraising efforts is a truly rewarding experience. We strive to not only raise funds but to also actively engage with the children and families we serve," Hagen stated.

Adam Garone, the CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation, emphasized the significance of Halloween for children, describing it as a vital occasion for joy and imagination. He thanked all voters and participants, explaining how the funds raised would significantly amplify Starlight's efforts in delivering supportive programs throughout the year. "Every bit of support enhances the resources we can provide to our hospital partners, allowing us to serve many more children in need of positive experiences, especially during challenging times," Garone added.

Starlight Children's Foundation is renowned for its array of programs—including toy deliveries and custom hospital gowns—available at no charge to partnering hospitals across the nation. These initiatives help to harness the healing power of play, a crucial aspect of childhood development. Engaging in play can offer critical distractions, alleviating some of the stresses associated with lengthy medical procedures, while also improving overall well-being and potentially expediting recovery.

During a spontaneous toy delivery event, nursing director Nikki Hardin from Banner Children's articulated her gratitude. "Organizations like Starlight and Colossal play an integral role in transforming the hospital experience for our young patients, making challenging times a bit brighter. Witnessing the joy on the children's faces during playful interactions, like reverse trick-or-treating, exemplifies the impact we are able to create through these meaningful initiatives."

This event marks the second consecutive year in which the Starlight Children’s Foundation has been the beneficiary of Colossal's innovative fundraising competitions. The Face of Halloween emphasizes the power of community involvement and fandom, as Halloween enthusiasts nationwide participated actively, casting votes to choose their favorite characters.

About Starlight Children's Foundation

Founded in 1982, Starlight Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to uplifting seriously ill children and their families via impactful programs. These donor-funded initiatives—offered at no cost to hospitals and families—leverage the joy of play to foster resilience and optimism in young patients facing immense challenges. Through dedicated efforts, Starlight positively touches millions of children’s lives every year, highlighting the belief that healing begins with happiness™.

To learn more about their mission or to follow Starlight’s ongoing activities, visit their website at starlight.org or their social media @starlightchildrensfoundation.

About Colossal

Colossal is a professionally registered fundraising organization that motivates individuals to advocate for themselves and those less fortunate. Through interactive campaigns such as the Face of Halloween, participants can engage meaningfully, contributing to significant charitable impacts. Their fundraising efforts benefit various charitable organizations through transparent donation distribution.

For more information, check out colossal.org.