SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes and MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, have teamed up with Starlight Children’s Foundation for the placement of three Starlight Fun Center™ mobile entertainment units at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Oakland and Valley Medical Center. The hospital visits are part of a commitment to give back to the San Jose community and will provide an opportunity for seriously ill children and their families to enjoy a unique experience and a renewed sense of strength and hope.
For children who may be facing surgery, enduring long outpatient treatments or fighting loneliness after hospital visiting hours have ended, Starlight Fun Centers provide a comforting break. Each Starlight Fun Center features a LCD TV, DVD player and gaming system to provide hours of fun and distraction.
Earthquakes players Jason Hernandez, Bobby Burling, David Bingham and Jon Busch as well as club ambassador and former player Kelly Gray will visit the hospitals to play Fun Center games with young patients and participate in other activities prior to the unit’s dedication ceremony. Patients will be able to get autographs and take pictures with the Earthquakes representatives.
MLS is committed to creating sustainable programs that leave a lasting legacy. The hospital visits are part of the MLS W.O.R.K.S. Soccer Kicks Cancer program, a league-wide initiative to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and treatment affecting men, women and children.
For nearly 30 years, Starlight Children’s Foundation (www.starlight.org) 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.
The hospital visit will provide an excellent still and video opportunity for journalists. For more information, please contact Jed Mettee at 408-556-7723 or jmettee@sjearthquakes.com.
WHAT: MLS W.O.R.K.S./San Jose Earthquakes and Starlight Children’s Foundation Hospital Visit
WHERE:
Lucile Packard Hospital (Wednesday, Sept. 7)
725 Welch Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304
Kaiser Oakland Medical Center (Thursday, Sept. 8)
280 W. MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94611
Valley Medical Center (Friday, Sept. 9)
751 S Bascom Ave
San Jose, CA 95128
WHEN: 2:00 a.m. Player Arrival
2:15 p.m. Media Arrival
2:30 p.m. Fun Center Dedication Ceremony
2:45 p.m. Interview opportunity with players
Note: All times approximate
WHO: Earthquakes players Jason Hernandez, Bobby Burling, David Bingham, Jon Busch and Earthquakes ambassador Kelly Gray and Shakers Squad.
