LOS ANGELES, Calif. (MuseWire) – At Starlight Children’s Foundation’s (www.starlight.org) annual “A Stellar Night” gala, presented by California Pizza Kitchen, on Friday, March 19, 2010 at The Century Plaza Hyatt Regency Hotel, Starlight presented Larry Flax and Rick Rosenfield, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of California Pizza Kitchen, with its 2010 “Heart of Gold Award” and Noel R. Wallace, President, North America and Global Sustainability, Colgate-Palmolive Company, with its “Jacki Carlish Humanitarian of the Year Award.” Co-hosted by jazz great and Starlight Global Ambassador Dave Koz and actors and StarPower Ambassadors (www.starlight.org/starpowerambassadors) Chris and Kyle Massey, the night also featured live entertainment from the legendary Dionne Warwick and young recording artist Maddie Lauer.

Co-chaired by Starlight board members Carol Savoie, David Getson and John Rosenberg, “A Stellar Night” showcased inspirational stories from Starlight families and paid tribute to humanitarians, who are helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation.

Famous for its Very Important Kids (VIK) Lounge, which was this year sponsored by Nintendo of America, Inc., “A Stellar Night” invited adults to bring children to teach them about the importance of philanthropy and to share the impact that Starlight’s programs have on families with seriously ill children…brightening their world, a little each day. Many of Starlight’s young and dedicated StarPower Ambassador celebrity supporters volunteered in the Nintendo Kids Lounge, demonstrating the power of giving back and making the night even more memorable for Starlight’s young guests. Young celebrities in attendance included: StarPower Spokesperson and actress Bailee Madison; actors Allen Alvarado, Ashley Argota, Jake T. Austin, Brennan Bailey, Preston Bailey, Devin Brochu, Field Cate, Jillian Clare, Allen Evangelista, Tyler Foden, Devon Gearhart, Sammi Hanratty, Zane Huett, Nadji Jeter, Dominic Scott Kay, Nathan Kress, Peyton List, Cody Longo, Joey Luthman, Jennette McCurdy, Kay Panabaker, Rob Pinkston, Haley Ramm, Rachel Sibner, Kaycee Stroh, Gregg Sulkin and Aria Wallace; and recording artists Austin Anderson, Chloe Jordache, Ashlee Keating and Tyler Shamy. The Nintendo Kids Lounge also featured live musical performances by Savvy and Mandy and Kristy Frank.

Additional celebrity guests included former Dodgers baseball player Steve Garvey, renowned entertainer, composer and philanthropist Sheila E and Starlight supporters Mr. T and Steve Schirripa. In addition to California Pizza Kitchen, sponsors of “A Stellar Night” included: Nintendo of America, Inc.; Bickerstaff Family Foundation; Vivendi; Jeff, Carol & Becky Burch; Colgate-Palmolive Company; The Walt Disney Company; Kaye Scholer LLP (Jackie Blatt, Ron Leibow, Donna & Russ Cashdan); Insomniac Games; Lisa & Kevin Mayer,; Morrison & Foerster LLP and Bobbi & Henry Fields; Latham & Watkins LLP and Joy & Bob Steinberg; PepsiCo, Inc.; and Wyndham Hotel Group. The show was produced by Amy Shomer of Shomer & Associates.

For more highlights and photos from the evening, visit www.starlight.org/events .

About Starlight Children’s Foundation:
When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For more than 25 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight’s programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of chapters and offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.

To learn more visit www.starlight.org .