[Photo from Starlight Canada's website.]

When I started up my business almost three years ago, I knew at some point I would want to find an organization to support - one that was special to me.  I've been looking for quite some time for a charity that would just jump out and "speak to me".

There are SO many wonderful organizations out there so it became tough to choose one, but I finally came across a charity that just felt right for me.  That organization is Starlight Children's Foundation.  Starlight touches the lives of seriously ill children and their families by providing support and a little break from the pain and fear associated with serious illness while staying in the hospital.  As a parent myself, I can't begin to imagine what these families must go through, but I imagine that just seeing their little one smile and forget their problems for an afternoon, is of some comfort.

One of the programs that Starlight offers is Starlight-in-a-Box which provides a fun activity for kids to participate in during their hospital stay.  I recently purchased 15 Starlight-in-a-Box kits through their Teddy Bear Hugs Program.  Each child will be given a teddy bear that requires some simple sewing skills in order to put him together.  Also included in the kits are an activity book and markers.  What I also really liked about this particular program was that I could choose the hospital that would receive these kits.  That wasn't a hard decision as I wanted to support my local community, so I chose Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Ontario.

I'll be honest.  When I started looking for a charity to support, part of my motivation was to help promote my business, but it became so much more.  What I didn't count on was how it would make me feel in the process.  When I picture those kids having a bit of fun and forgetting their troubles for a little while, it makes me feel so good. 

The old cliche 'It's better to give than receive' couldn't be more true.  I should have done this a long time ago.  Will this help my business?  Probably not, and quite honestly, that has become irrelevant.  I just wish I could see the looks on those kids faces when they create their teddy bears.  But then again, maybe its best I don't because I'm sure I'd cry :-).

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Dezigner Digz is a professional home staging and interior decorating company located in Burlington, Ontario.  The Owner, Charlene Storozuk is a member of the Real Estate Staging Association and currently serves as RESA's Regional Vice-President, Canada.  For more information on Dezigner Digz, visit our website at www.dezignerdigz.com