Starlight Fun Center Brightens Stays of Hospitalized Children

Fran-All-Press-2014-1The Starlight Children’s Foundation, in conjunction with the Crown Point branch of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance and Financial Services, recently donated a Starlight Fun Center system and Starlight Tablet, valued at approximately $6,500, to the Pediatrics Unit at Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point, to help entertain young patients and to make their stays brighter. The updated system replaces one donated to the unit several years ago. Shown with the fun center is patient Emily Hamady, 10, of Boone Grove. Also shown (counterclockwise behind her) are Gretchen Dawson, spouse of John Dawson, Northwestern Mutual managing director; Pooja Rao, of Northwestern; Monica Puskac, of Northwestern; Rex Richards, president of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce; Matt Jones, of Northwestern; Sue Reed, president of the Crossroads Chamber of Commerce; John Dawson, Brad Sult, of Northwestern; Ryan Thomalla, of Northwestern; and Sister Marlene Shapley, Franciscan Alliance regional vice president of mission services. Tony Englert (not shown) Franciscan Alliance Foundation regional executive director, who helped coordinate the donation, expressed gratitude to Northwestern, adding the gift exemplifies a community spirit that is meaningful to patients and to hospital services. The firm also provided t-shirts and pens and pencils for the patients.