CHRISTMAS 2011
The celebration of our Lord's birth at four children's hospitals reached a new height this year.
Wolfson - on Monday, December 19th, approximately 15 volunteers delivered presents for 145 children who were in the hospital on Christmas Day. Fifty-nine partners collected presents from our Jacksonville community to put a smile on a hurting child's face this Christmas. Please know we can not do what we do without our partners. Thank you!
Shands - on Thursday, December 15th, we delivered presents for 140 children. Thank you to numerous individuals and businesses that partnered with us to make 2011 a huge success. Special thanks to First Baptist Church of Ocala, Chick-fil-A in Ocala and Gainesville, Ocala Palms Worship Center, and Pepsi.
Atlanta - our first year at Egleston and Scottish Rite children's hospitals was a tremendous blessing. We provided presents for 140 "kidos" at Egleston and a number of children at Scottish Rite. Thank you to our many new partners in Atlanta. We look forward to watching how our Lord will work in Atlanta.
CHRISTMAS 2011 IS HERE!!!!!
For our fifth consecutive year we will be providing Christmas presents to children who are in the hospital on Christmas day. This year we will partner with countless individuals, businesses, and churches to put smiles on some hurting children's faces. Together we will provide over 6,000 gifts to over 400 children at Wolfson and Shands Children's Hospitals in Jacksonville and Gainesville, Florida and for the first time we will be providing presents to the children at Eaglston and Scottish Rite Children's Hospitals in Atlanta. Please pray for this project along with these children and their families.
1st ANNUAL CHRIST'S STARFISH FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITING OUR WORK AT SHANDS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
On Thursday evening, September 22, we conducted our first fund raising event for our work at Shands Children's Hospital. A nice crowd braved somewhat stormy weather to enjoy an incredible dinner at The Country Club of Ocala. They were served a scrumptious meal, and heard from Amy Wegner, child life specialist and Kevin Putansu, manager of pediatric social services from Shands. Amy and Kevin shared their roles and what is currently going on at Shands.
Beverly Brown, author of "God Speaks, a True Story" shared her personal experiences of having her daughter, Tara, in M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas on Christmas day. She shared what the unexpected Christmas presents meant to her and Tara.
Among the guests for the evening were pro bowler, Walter Ray Williams and his wife Paige. Several bowlers from Lake City received the thrill of their lives spending an evening with Walter Ray. Many thanks to Walter Ray and Paige.
A golf tournament was held the next morning with 51 golfers vying for several prizes, among them a 2011 Acura valued at $30,000. Jenkins Acura provided the sporty car but no one was able to make a hole-in-one on number 16. Congrats to the team from Shands who won the "shamble" format tournament with a two person best ball score of 108. Special guest, Neal Anderson of the Florida Gators and Chicago Bears, participated in our event. Thanks Neal for all your support.
We would like to thank our sponsors, Jenkins Acura, Pepsi, Images by Kasha, Community Bank and Trust of Florida, Drew Ditty, Wayne McCall, and all our silent auction donors for your contributions that led to a successful event. Special thanks to The Country Club of Ocala for being our host and providing a beautiful and challenging venue. Please join us next year.
2nd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN JULY
What a wonderfully blessed day! Pro golfer Boo Weekley and his wife , Karyn, led the way, to deliver approximately 800 presents to 53 children at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital on Tuesday, July 26th. Through the partnership of Chick-fil-A, 95. 7 K Love Radio, East Hill Baptist Church of Pensacola, First Assembly of God of Pensacola, and the generous community of Pensacola, many smiles were seen on the faces of these hurting children. Channel 3 news interviewed Boo and Karyn for their newscast that evening.
Christ's Starfish Foundation would like to say "thank you" to everyone who contriubuted gifts to this project. The following is a card received from a parent whose child received a bag of gifts. Please note they were from Arkansas.
To the Board of Directors and volunteers of Christ's Starfish Foundation:
We want to thank you for your ministry to children who are hospitalized or otherwise ill. Our fourteen year old son was the recipient of one of the "Christmas in July" gift bags while hospitalized at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. While vacationing on the gulf coast, our son was stricken with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. By God's grace, we are back home in Arkansas now, and he is recovering quickly. Thank you again for all the teen appropriate gifts that brightened his stay in the hospital.
The celebration of our Lord's birth at four children's hospitals reached a new height this year.
Wolfson - on Monday, December 19th, approximately 15 volunteers delivered presents for 145 children who were in the hospital on Christmas Day. Fifty-nine partners collected presents from our Jacksonville community to put a smile on a hurting child's face this Christmas. Please know we can not do what we do without our partners. Thank you!
Shands - on Thursday, December 15th, we delivered presents for 140 children. Thank you to numerous individuals and businesses that partnered with us to make 2011 a huge success. Special thanks to First Baptist Church of Ocala, Chick-fil-A in Ocala and Gainesville, Ocala Palms Worship Center, and Pepsi.
Atlanta - our first year at Egleston and Scottish Rite children's hospitals was a tremendous blessing. We provided presents for 140 "kidos" at Egleston and a number of children at Scottish Rite. Thank you to our many new partners in Atlanta. We look forward to watching how our Lord will work in Atlanta.
CHRISTMAS 2011 IS HERE!!!!!
For our fifth consecutive year we will be providing Christmas presents to children who are in the hospital on Christmas day. This year we will partner with countless individuals, businesses, and churches to put smiles on some hurting children's faces. Together we will provide over 6,000 gifts to over 400 children at Wolfson and Shands Children's Hospitals in Jacksonville and Gainesville, Florida and for the first time we will be providing presents to the children at Eaglston and Scottish Rite Children's Hospitals in Atlanta. Please pray for this project along with these children and their families.
1st ANNUAL CHRIST'S STARFISH FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITING OUR WORK AT SHANDS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
On Thursday evening, September 22, we conducted our first fund raising event for our work at Shands Children's Hospital. A nice crowd braved somewhat stormy weather to enjoy an incredible dinner at The Country Club of Ocala. They were served a scrumptious meal, and heard from Amy Wegner, child life specialist and Kevin Putansu, manager of pediatric social services from Shands. Amy and Kevin shared their roles and what is currently going on at Shands.
Beverly Brown, author of "God Speaks, a True Story" shared her personal experiences of having her daughter, Tara, in M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas on Christmas day. She shared what the unexpected Christmas presents meant to her and Tara.
Among the guests for the evening were pro bowler, Walter Ray Williams and his wife Paige. Several bowlers from Lake City received the thrill of their lives spending an evening with Walter Ray. Many thanks to Walter Ray and Paige.
A golf tournament was held the next morning with 51 golfers vying for several prizes, among them a 2011 Acura valued at $30,000. Jenkins Acura provided the sporty car but no one was able to make a hole-in-one on number 16. Congrats to the team from Shands who won the "shamble" format tournament with a two person best ball score of 108. Special guest, Neal Anderson of the Florida Gators and Chicago Bears, participated in our event. Thanks Neal for all your support.
We would like to thank our sponsors, Jenkins Acura, Pepsi, Images by Kasha, Community Bank and Trust of Florida, Drew Ditty, Wayne McCall, and all our silent auction donors for your contributions that led to a successful event. Special thanks to The Country Club of Ocala for being our host and providing a beautiful and challenging venue. Please join us next year.
2nd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS IN JULY
What a wonderfully blessed day! Pro golfer Boo Weekley and his wife , Karyn, led the way, to deliver approximately 800 presents to 53 children at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital on Tuesday, July 26th. Through the partnership of Chick-fil-A, 95. 7 K Love Radio, East Hill Baptist Church of Pensacola, First Assembly of God of Pensacola, and the generous community of Pensacola, many smiles were seen on the faces of these hurting children. Channel 3 news interviewed Boo and Karyn for their newscast that evening.
Christ's Starfish Foundation would like to say "thank you" to everyone who contriubuted gifts to this project. The following is a card received from a parent whose child received a bag of gifts. Please note they were from Arkansas.
To the Board of Directors and volunteers of Christ's Starfish Foundation:
We want to thank you for your ministry to children who are hospitalized or otherwise ill. Our fourteen year old son was the recipient of one of the "Christmas in July" gift bags while hospitalized at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. While vacationing on the gulf coast, our son was stricken with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. By God's grace, we are back home in Arkansas now, and he is recovering quickly. Thank you again for all the teen appropriate gifts that brightened his stay in the hospital.
2ND ANNUAL CHRIST'S STARFISH FOUNDATION CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
On March 22nd approximately 100 golfers will tee it up at Palencia Golf and Country Club to win prizes and support our work with hurting children and their families at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Prizes include a 2011 Acura for a hole in one on a designated par three, top team awards, golf balls, and special prizes for additional golfing feats.
Immediately following the golf will be a dinner and silent auction. If you would like to join us, become a hole sponsor, or silent auction donor, please call Jim White at 904-808-1533 or Carldon Lahey at 904-612-8522.
This year we are pleased to be participating in the 2011 PLAYERS Championship Birdies for Charity program.This unique, community-based fundraising initiative is held in conjunction with THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass, May 9-15,2011.
If you visit www.birdiesforcharity.playerschampionship.com, you will have an opportunity to make a donation to Christ's Starfish Foundation AND to become eligible to win a fabulous grand prize. Upon making your donations, you will be asked to guess the total number of birdies that will be made during the competition rounds of the tournament. The individual making the correct or closest guess will win a trip for two to the 2011 Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia! Deadline for all entries is Wednesday, May 11.
CHRISTMAS 2010 - A WONDERFUL END TO A FABULOUS YEAR!
WOLFSON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
What an incredible response we had to the 2010 Christmas Present Project. The drums that were placed in the area Chick-fil-a stores generated over 800 presents. We are so thankful to all of the Chick-fil-a customers and 550 Way Radio listeners for your generosity. RPM Automotive placed bins at their seven locations and provided approximately 500 presents. The employees at Pepsi exceeded 350 gifts. Pepsi also provided space at their plant for us to store the toys and assemble the bags that would be delivered to the hospital. Other business partners included Hawthorne Seat Covering, Mike Bell Insurance, and Lifeway Christian Bookstores. Also, a big thank you to 550 AM Way Radio for the spots on the radio to let their listeners know how to get involved.
Many area churches provided huge numbers of gifts for the project. These included Ft. Caroline Baptist Church, Christ's United Methodist Church at the beach, Deerwood Baptist Church, Faith Family Fellowship and Taylor Church.
In addition, we thank our group leaders for an outstanding job and all of the individuals who partnered with us to make this year such a success. We would like to thank everyone who helped transport and unload the gift bags at Wolfson, which was no easy feat.
SHANDS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
On December 15th we delivered over 1800 presents to the child life specialists for 110 children who were in Shands Children's Hospital on Christmas Day. This was the third year Christ's Starfish Foundation partnered with Riley Woods of Ocala to serve these children in Christ's name.
Chick-fil-A in Ocala and Gainesville, Pepsi, Thunder Country Radio, Gainesville Ale House, Westside Baptist Church of Gainesville, First Baptist Church of Ocala, and Summerfield Baptist Church teamed up with numerous individuals throughout the area to brighten the day for these hurting children.
For the first time, we had a leadership team in Gainesville. Thank you to Jana, Neal, Gary, and Stacey. In Ocala our thanks go out to Tommy, Annie, and Riley. It was truly a blessed Christmas in 2010.
The true blessing of this work comes from the kids. Here a few stories we received from the hospital:
There was a family from the UK in the hospital Christmas Eve. The patient was four and had been in the US for treatment. The family lost their bags with all of her Christmas presents on the flight over for treatment. It was perfect that they were given gifts from Christ's Starfish Foundation. They couldn't believe all of the gifts she received and were so happy that she would have Christmas after all.
Their was a father of an 18 month old in over Christmas. When the father woke up and saw all of the gifts in the child's room he was so appreciative. He immediately went out of the room to find his nurse and ask who brought the gifts. The nurse told him that they were from Christ's Starfish Foundation. With tears in his eyes the father said "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. This will be his best Christmas ever!"
Joshua, a 6 year old boy, was unexpectedly admitted Christmas morning. There happened to be one gift bag left that was marked "school-age boy". The nurse didn't get the bag to him until around 11:00 am. When his mom and grandmother saw the bag, they both exclaimed "he loves Cadillac's!". There were Cadillac's on top and a bounty of goodies underneath. Every time the nurse went in the room, the patient was exploring a new toy and each one seemed to compliment things he enjoyed. The patient was thrilled as were his mother and grandmother. The nurse was excited that the gifts kept the patient happy during wait times and while trialing new medications. This was truly a "God thing". That gift bag was mean't for this little boy.
A letter from one of the recipients of a Christmas Bag:
"Dear Mr. Lahey, When I woke up Christmas morning I was so excited. I felt really good because I knew some one really cared about me. Thank you for thinking of me. My favorite thing was the make up. I really loved it. I have been putting it on every day. There were so many gifts that I enjoyed them all. I did not want to be in the hospital for Christmas but thank you for the gifts, they made me feel so good. Sincerely, Brianna."
2010 WOLFSON/SHANDS CHRISTMAS PRESENT PROJECT BEGINS
As we enter our 4th year of providing presents for the children who are in Wolfson Children's Hospital on Christmas Day and our 3rd year at Shands Children's Hospital, our Lord continues to lead and bless our efforts. For the first time 550 AM Way Radio and Chick-fil-A are partnering with Christ's Starfish to bring the joy of Christmas to these hurting children. Throughout the month of November and ten days into December, Way Radio will be encouraging listeners to bring a present to any local Chick-fil-A restaurant. All 19 Chick-fil-A locations in the Jacksonville area extending north to Kingsland, GA and south to St. Augustine have a Christmas "drum" for anyone who wishes to brighten the face of a hurting child this Christmas Day. The excitement and enthusiasm from all the Chick-fil-A owner/operators encapsulates the true meaning of Christmas.
In Ocala and Gainesville, Thunder Country 102.3 WTRS and Big 92.9 WMFQ are teaming up with Chick-fil-A and Pepsi to collect presents for the children at Shands Hospital on Christmas Day. Six times per day from now until mid December, Thunder Country 102.3 will be inviting their listeners to bring a present to any local Chick-fil-A restaurant for the kids.
At Christ's Starfish we feel very blessed for this outpouring of support for the Lord's work at these hospitals. In addition to the above exciting programs, many churches, businesses, and individuals are continuing their support of HIS Christmas Present Project. To everyone partnering with us this year in His name, we say "Thank You"!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
In July we were blessed to be a part of the Christmas in July event held for the children who were in Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The following is an excerpt from an article put out by Sacred Heart:
"It was Christmas in July at Children’s Hospital! Approximately 50 large bags filled with items for young patients were delivered on July 28 by representatives of Christ’s Starfish Foundation. The foundation’s motto is “Helping the less fortunate in the Name of Jesus Christ.” Assisting in the delivery are (L-R) Meghan Kamau, Child Life Specialist at Children’s Hospital; Carldon E. Lahey, Jr., President of Christ’s Starfish Foundation; Patty Hawthorne; Karyn Weekly, wife of pro golfer Boo Weekly; and their son, Parker. (Patty is Karyn’s mother.) Based in Jacksonville, this foundation has supported Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville and Shands Hospital in Gainesville, as well. Founded in 2007, the foundation has helped families in need with everything from groceries to electric-bill payments, and has even raised funds to purchase a wheel-chair accessible van. "
On March 22nd approximately 100 golfers will tee it up at Palencia Golf and Country Club to win prizes and support our work with hurting children and their families at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Prizes include a 2011 Acura for a hole in one on a designated par three, top team awards, golf balls, and special prizes for additional golfing feats.
Immediately following the golf will be a dinner and silent auction. If you would like to join us, become a hole sponsor, or silent auction donor, please call Jim White at 904-808-1533 or Carldon Lahey at 904-612-8522.
This year we are pleased to be participating in the 2011 PLAYERS Championship Birdies for Charity program.This unique, community-based fundraising initiative is held in conjunction with THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass, May 9-15,2011.
If you visit www.birdiesforcharity.playerschampionship.com, you will have an opportunity to make a donation to Christ's Starfish Foundation AND to become eligible to win a fabulous grand prize. Upon making your donations, you will be asked to guess the total number of birdies that will be made during the competition rounds of the tournament. The individual making the correct or closest guess will win a trip for two to the 2011 Presidents Cup in Melbourne, Australia! Deadline for all entries is Wednesday, May 11.
CHRISTMAS 2010 - A WONDERFUL END TO A FABULOUS YEAR!
WOLFSON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
What an incredible response we had to the 2010 Christmas Present Project. The drums that were placed in the area Chick-fil-a stores generated over 800 presents. We are so thankful to all of the Chick-fil-a customers and 550 Way Radio listeners for your generosity. RPM Automotive placed bins at their seven locations and provided approximately 500 presents. The employees at Pepsi exceeded 350 gifts. Pepsi also provided space at their plant for us to store the toys and assemble the bags that would be delivered to the hospital. Other business partners included Hawthorne Seat Covering, Mike Bell Insurance, and Lifeway Christian Bookstores. Also, a big thank you to 550 AM Way Radio for the spots on the radio to let their listeners know how to get involved.
Many area churches provided huge numbers of gifts for the project. These included Ft. Caroline Baptist Church, Christ's United Methodist Church at the beach, Deerwood Baptist Church, Faith Family Fellowship and Taylor Church.
In addition, we thank our group leaders for an outstanding job and all of the individuals who partnered with us to make this year such a success. We would like to thank everyone who helped transport and unload the gift bags at Wolfson, which was no easy feat.
SHANDS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
On December 15th we delivered over 1800 presents to the child life specialists for 110 children who were in Shands Children's Hospital on Christmas Day. This was the third year Christ's Starfish Foundation partnered with Riley Woods of Ocala to serve these children in Christ's name.
Chick-fil-A in Ocala and Gainesville, Pepsi, Thunder Country Radio, Gainesville Ale House, Westside Baptist Church of Gainesville, First Baptist Church of Ocala, and Summerfield Baptist Church teamed up with numerous individuals throughout the area to brighten the day for these hurting children.
For the first time, we had a leadership team in Gainesville. Thank you to Jana, Neal, Gary, and Stacey. In Ocala our thanks go out to Tommy, Annie, and Riley. It was truly a blessed Christmas in 2010.
The true blessing of this work comes from the kids. Here a few stories we received from the hospital:
There was a family from the UK in the hospital Christmas Eve. The patient was four and had been in the US for treatment. The family lost their bags with all of her Christmas presents on the flight over for treatment. It was perfect that they were given gifts from Christ's Starfish Foundation. They couldn't believe all of the gifts she received and were so happy that she would have Christmas after all.
Their was a father of an 18 month old in over Christmas. When the father woke up and saw all of the gifts in the child's room he was so appreciative. He immediately went out of the room to find his nurse and ask who brought the gifts. The nurse told him that they were from Christ's Starfish Foundation. With tears in his eyes the father said "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. This will be his best Christmas ever!"
Joshua, a 6 year old boy, was unexpectedly admitted Christmas morning. There happened to be one gift bag left that was marked "school-age boy". The nurse didn't get the bag to him until around 11:00 am. When his mom and grandmother saw the bag, they both exclaimed "he loves Cadillac's!". There were Cadillac's on top and a bounty of goodies underneath. Every time the nurse went in the room, the patient was exploring a new toy and each one seemed to compliment things he enjoyed. The patient was thrilled as were his mother and grandmother. The nurse was excited that the gifts kept the patient happy during wait times and while trialing new medications. This was truly a "God thing". That gift bag was mean't for this little boy.
A letter from one of the recipients of a Christmas Bag:
"Dear Mr. Lahey, When I woke up Christmas morning I was so excited. I felt really good because I knew some one really cared about me. Thank you for thinking of me. My favorite thing was the make up. I really loved it. I have been putting it on every day. There were so many gifts that I enjoyed them all. I did not want to be in the hospital for Christmas but thank you for the gifts, they made me feel so good. Sincerely, Brianna."
2010 WOLFSON/SHANDS CHRISTMAS PRESENT PROJECT BEGINS
As we enter our 4th year of providing presents for the children who are in Wolfson Children's Hospital on Christmas Day and our 3rd year at Shands Children's Hospital, our Lord continues to lead and bless our efforts. For the first time 550 AM Way Radio and Chick-fil-A are partnering with Christ's Starfish to bring the joy of Christmas to these hurting children. Throughout the month of November and ten days into December, Way Radio will be encouraging listeners to bring a present to any local Chick-fil-A restaurant. All 19 Chick-fil-A locations in the Jacksonville area extending north to Kingsland, GA and south to St. Augustine have a Christmas "drum" for anyone who wishes to brighten the face of a hurting child this Christmas Day. The excitement and enthusiasm from all the Chick-fil-A owner/operators encapsulates the true meaning of Christmas.
In Ocala and Gainesville, Thunder Country 102.3 WTRS and Big 92.9 WMFQ are teaming up with Chick-fil-A and Pepsi to collect presents for the children at Shands Hospital on Christmas Day. Six times per day from now until mid December, Thunder Country 102.3 will be inviting their listeners to bring a present to any local Chick-fil-A restaurant for the kids.
At Christ's Starfish we feel very blessed for this outpouring of support for the Lord's work at these hospitals. In addition to the above exciting programs, many churches, businesses, and individuals are continuing their support of HIS Christmas Present Project. To everyone partnering with us this year in His name, we say "Thank You"!
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
In July we were blessed to be a part of the Christmas in July event held for the children who were in Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The following is an excerpt from an article put out by Sacred Heart:
"It was Christmas in July at Children’s Hospital! Approximately 50 large bags filled with items for young patients were delivered on July 28 by representatives of Christ’s Starfish Foundation. The foundation’s motto is “Helping the less fortunate in the Name of Jesus Christ.” Assisting in the delivery are (L-R) Meghan Kamau, Child Life Specialist at Children’s Hospital; Carldon E. Lahey, Jr., President of Christ’s Starfish Foundation; Patty Hawthorne; Karyn Weekly, wife of pro golfer Boo Weekly; and their son, Parker. (Patty is Karyn’s mother.) Based in Jacksonville, this foundation has supported Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville and Shands Hospital in Gainesville, as well. Founded in 2007, the foundation has helped families in need with everything from groceries to electric-bill payments, and has even raised funds to purchase a wheel-chair accessible van. "
GOLF TOURNAMENT/DINNER/SILENT AUCTION
WOW!!! What a blessed event!! On Tuesday, March 23rd we held our 1st Annual fundraising event at Palencia Golf and Country Club. We had 91 golfers from as far away as Indiana join us for a fun day of golf, fellowship, and fundraising. Our Lord provided a glorious sunny day and the Palencia family were incredibly accomodating hosts as the golfers hit the links. The golfers were given the opportunity to buy "mulligans" to improve their chances of winning along with the opportunity to win golf balls and even the chance to win a 2010 Acura TL on the par 3 12th hole. Thanks to Acura of Orange Park for the Acura. No one won the car but Luke Stephens from Way Radio came the closest at 4 feet. The winning team of John Albritton, Ken Stout, Maurice Samples, and Joe Samples won the event with a score of 107. CONGRATS guys!!!
After the golf approximately 115 guests enjoyed a delicious dinner on the 3rd floor of the Palencia Club. Crystal Jones and her father Reggie provided the entertainment with a saxophone concert. Crystal is a young lady we assisted in the purchase of a wheel accessible van in 2008. After Crystal and Reggie three speakers from Wolfson Children's Hospital shared with us about their work at Wolfson and the role Christ's Starfish plays at Wolfson. Thank you to Pat Kirkland, Jim Hutcheson, and Julie Handley for sharing. A very special guest from Atlanta, Bill Donohue, flew in just for the dinner. Bill is the father of A.J. Donohue, the 18 year old Wolfson patient our Lord used to lead us to Wolfson. Thanks Bill for joining us and thank you for raising such an outstanding son.
A silent auction was held in conjunction with the dinner with items ranging from local artwork, numerous golf certificates from local courses, Boo Weekley items, to a pair of round trip airline tickets from Jet Blue. The auction was a tremendous success and we would like to thank all our donors. THANKS!!!
Thanks again to all our sponsors, donors, participants, and our Palencia hosts for making our 1st annual event such a huge success and more importantly thanks to our Lord for HIS blessing. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!!
A silent auction was held in conjunction with the dinner with items ranging from local artwork, numerous golf certificates from local courses, Boo Weekley items, to a pair of round trip airline tickets from Jet Blue. The auction was a tremendous success and we would like to thank all our donors. THANKS!!!
Thanks again to all our sponsors, donors, participants, and our Palencia hosts for making our 1st annual event such a huge success and more importantly thanks to our Lord for HIS blessing. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!!
Current Projects - UPDATE
On Monday, December 21st, we delivered 2400 presents for 123 children who were to be confined in Wolfson Children's Hospital on Christmas Day. Approximately twenty individuals from Christ's Starfish Foundation, Pepsi, Gump's Photography, and Wolfson Children's Hospital unloaded 123 stuffed bags of presents to brighten a hurting child's Christmas Day and encourage their families. The presents mean a lot to these children (remember Christmas Day as a child), but our greater call is to share the love of Christ with these families. At a time when perhaps they were questioning God, our prayer is that these families saw Christ's love for them through these gifts that HE sent their child's way.
This year we were literally "blown away" with the number of lives our Lord touched and encouraged to partner with us in this year's Christmas Present Project. We had hundreds of individuals from all walks of life join us this year. We had eight churches, numerous businesses and organizations, and individuals provide presents. We had 56 cash donations as well. In addition, the Ocala, Florida area provided approximately 1,000 presents for 60 children in the hospital Christmas Day at Shand's Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Riley Woods did a wonderful job coordinating the "team" in Ocala. To everyone in Ocala - thank you. God Bless.
We also delivered presents for a family of five children from Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.
As we continue our journey of obedience to assist these children and the families of children with non-cancer illnesses in Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Pensacola, our prayer is that our Lord will continue to use us to do HIS work. If you feel God leading you to become a partner, please go to our "contact us" page for information on how to reach us. To everyone that answered God's call this year, thank you and please continue to seek our lord's guidance in future work together.
We received the following letter from Pat Kirkland, Director of Child Life Specialists, Wolfson Children's Hospital:
Dear Carldon and Friends at Christ's Starfish Foundation,
WOW- what another incredible Christmas you provided for our patients at Wolfson Children's Hospital! On behalf of the patients and families, I would like to extend sincere, heartfelt thanks. Being in the hospital can sometimes be difficult for kids and families, especially around the holidays. Because of you and everyone involved in the Christmas project, a LOT of Christmas cheer was delivered to our patients and smiles were lighting up the rooms. In addition to helping make Christmas a little more normal by having a bounty of gifts to open, the toys will give kids something to get their minds off procedures, treatments, and being in the hospital. The addition of gifts for the NICU was awesome! By having a separate bag of blankets, bibs, socks and hats, the staff was able to customize the gift bags for each boy and girl. Imagine the joy of the parents knowing that their very ill infant has a "Baby's First Christmas" keepsake to treasure forever.
The gift bags for the various age groups were fabulous one again! Kids and parents were overwhelmed by your generosity. The iTunes gift cards were especially appreciated by the teens. The bag of socks will be great to have on hand - they make it easier for kids to be a little safer when coming to the playroom or teen room. The baskets of snacks were also a great idea that was a perfect addition to the presents!
Alice Bayne is an educator (and a terrific elf!) who comes in on her day off in the wee hours of the night to organize the delivery of toys to ensure every patient had a bag full of presents when they awakened on Christmas morning. Delivering Christmas cheer ensured our patients knew that Santa had not forgotten them.
The dedication of Christ's Starfish Foundation is greatly appreciated and definitely makes a difference in the lives of our patients and families. Your continued support of our kids means the world to us. I look forward to working with you in 2010! Happy New Year!
“Dimes for a Difference”
One of our annual fundraisers is our “Dimes for a Difference” program. Pepsi has partnered with the foundation to supply us with one liter bottles that have been turned into banks. Our goal is to pass out 1,000 banks in the Jacksonville community to raise funds to help meet the needs of the children at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the families of the non-cancer patients who have financial needs due to their child being hospitalized. We cannot do what we do without partners. If you would like to partner with us to fill a bank with coins, please contact us at (904)612-8522. Please know that 100% of all money donated goes to help this cause.
Past Projects
The “Crystal” Project
Last year we took on our biggest project to date. The social workers at Wolfson Children’s Hospital asked us if we could help provide a wheelchair accessible van for Crystal Jones who was born with spina bifida. Crystal had a power wheelchair but her family’s van could not accommodate it. This meant that Crystal had to crawl from her chair to their van. We weren’t sure we could take on something of this magnitude but God reminded us that although we can’t — 
He can! Thanks to all of the wonderful people who partnered with us we were able to raise $15,000 and the Jones family traded in their existing van to purchase the perfect van for Crystal. She was so excited. This van made a world of difference for their family. It has given Crystal such independence. Her mom states that sometimes Crystal goes out and gets in the van which she can do with no assistance and does her homework while watching a movie. It also has allowed Crystal and her dad to travel and give saxophone concerts at different churches. We would like to thank all of the people who contributed to this project for making such a difference in the name of Jesus Christ in the life of this deserving young lady.
The “ Joshua” Project
Joshua is a precious little boy born June 8, 2008 with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Joshua has endured several surgeries with the last one making it necessary for him to be on a ventilator to assist him in breathing. Joshua’s family needed to replace their small vehicle with one that had doors that would open wide to accommodate
Joshua while attached to his ventilator and all the other equipment that he required.
On August 6, 2009 through our Lord’s leading, the project came to a wonderful conclusion. Over 20 individuals contributed to make this dream a reality and the Fletcher family took ownership of a used Honda Odyssey van. The most incredible thing about the “Joshua” Project is how our Lord continues to use “His” people to do “His” work. Joshua’s family and Christ Starfish Foundation sincerely thank each person who was obedient to God’s call on their life. Without you, none of this would be possible.
Helping hurting children and their families in the name of Jesus Christ.
Some of the hundreds of gifts donated
Ann White loads up gifts
Gifts arrive at Wolfson
Carldon Lahey with helper Preston Updegraff