Donation includes matching gift to support new Starlight Brave Gowns program to revolutionize children’s hospital gowns
Press Release – LOS ANGELES (November 28, 2016) — Starlight Children’s Foundation today announced that Niagara Bottling, through its philanthropic program Niagara Cares, has donated $1.4 million to the children’s health charity in support of Starlight programs that brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families.
The donation includes a matching gift challenge for up to 28,000 Starlight Brave Gowns in support of the charity’s newly launched program to revolutionize children’s hospital gowns. For every $25 Starlight Brave Gown donated at www.starlight.org, Niagara will match the donation on a one-for-one basis.
“We are incredibly grateful to the leadership and employees at Niagara for this truly outstanding gift and for continuing to support Starlight’s mission of brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families,” said Starlight CEO Chris Helfrich. “Niagara is transforming the hospital experience for tens of thousands of children, and the company’s matching gift challenge in support of our Starlight Brave Gowns program, in particular, will help ensure that more than 50,000 hospitalized children will receive a new, state-of-the-art gown.
Starlight Brave Gowns replace unattractive, uncomfortable and embarrassing children’s hospital gowns with high-quality, comfortable and brightly colored gowns that help sick kids feel like superstars. Available in ten different designs for children ages 2 through 12, Starlight Brave Gowns are made of super soft, comfortable fabric and manufactured in the USA to meet strict hospital infection and safety protocols. They are specially designed for sick children and allow for easy access to ports and heart monitors as well as openings for IVs on both sleeves.
In total, the donation from Niagara will fund the placement of 28,000 Starlight Brave Gowns, 23 Starlight Fun Center mobile entertainment units and two beautifully redesigned hospital rooms called Starlight Sites in 23 communities across the US where the company has bottling plants and operations. Niagara will also fund a research project to help ensure the Starlight Brave Gowns program achieves maximum impact.
Starlight and Niagara launched the partnership in early 2015 with a $300,000 grant to deliver Starlight Fun Centers and other urgently needed items such as books, toys, games and other products to thousands of hospitalized children. In the past year, Niagara’s support has expanded to include the building or renovation of ten Starlight Sites and the continued placement of nearly 100 Starlight Fun Centers in communities across the US.
About Starlight Children’s Foundation
Starlight’s mission is to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families by turning pain, fear and stress into laughter, fun and joy – because a sick kid is still a kid at heart. Founded in 1982 by Peter Samuelson and Emma Samms, Starlight has helped more than 60 million sick children in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK by providing programs that offer the best in entertainment, education and innovative technology. Steven Spielberg serves as the organization’s Chairman Emeritus. Learn more at www.starlight.org and follow Starlight on Instagram and Facebook at /StarlightChildrensFoundation and on Twitter @StarlightUS.
Niagara Bottling, LLC has been family owned and operated since 1963. Headquartered in Ontario, CA, Niagara operates bottling facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. As a leading manufacturer of private brand bottled water in the U.S., Niagara Bottling works closely with some of the largest retailers, grocers, club and convenience stores throughout the country. Niagara produces a variety of beverages including bottled water, sparkling water, tea, sports drinks and vitamin enhanced waters. For more information, visit www.niagarawater.com.
Niagara Cares, a philanthropic arm of Niagara Bottling, is committed to supporting local and national community initiatives serving children and families in need by engaging stakeholders and investing its resources. Niagara Cares efforts include national strategic partnerships, local community grants, employee engagement, volunteerism and the Andrew D. Peykoff, Sr. Scholarship Program. For more information, visit www.niagarawater.com/niagara-cares.
