1. th
5001 150 Avenue NE
Redmond WA 98052
(425) 861-7827
(866) 236-6379
www.starlight-washington.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Steven Spenser
Public relations director
(206) 551-6161
steven@starlight-washington.org
Oscar Night® comes to Seattle, complete with red carpet & celebrities
Academy Awards® screening benefits Starlight Children’s Foundation WA
SEATTLE (Feb 1, 2009) – Seattle’s film fans will get a chance to experience the glamour
and excitement of Hollywood—complete with a red-carpet walk and the opportunity to rub
elbows with celebrities—at the city’s fifth annual Oscar Night America party, an exclusive
charity screening of the 81st Academy Awards on Feb. 22.
The event, benefitting Starlight Children’s Foundation Washington, will be at The Triple
Door (216 Union St., Seattle) and is one of 52 official parties sanctioned by the Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country.
Seattle party-goers will get to mingle with celebrities, including actress Josie Bissett
(“Melrose Place,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”), at a Champagne reception, en-
joy a catered dinner inspired by the acclaimed Wild Ginger restaurant and watch the Oscars®
telecast on a large screen provided courtesy of KOMO-TV, Seattle’s ABC affiliate. The Acad-
emy will provide Seattle attendees the same official program distributed to guests at the Oscar®
presentation at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
KOMO-TV news anchor Molly Shen will be the mistress of ceremonies, Seattle radio
personality Kent Phillips, of Star 101.5 FM, will serve as charity auctioneer, and local fashion
maven Joan Kelly, of Fashion First, will provide commentary during the red-carpet walk.
“What makes Oscar Night America so much fun is that it gives people a chance to experi-
ence what it must feel like to be on the A-list,” said Dave Hamilton, Starlight-Washington’s
event co-chairman. “You get to walk down an actual red carpet in your best outfit and have Joan
stop you for an interview. You can meet—and have your picture taken with—celebrities and
look-alikes. You’re handed an official Oscars program, and the ceremony is shown on a screen
so big you almost feel like you’re in the actual Academy Awards audience.”
The annual Oscar Night America benefits have raised nearly $23.8 million— all of it
staying in the participating communities—since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sci-
ences established the program in 1994. Almost 16,000 people in 51 cities attended 2008’s Oscar
Night parties, raising a record $3.3 million. The Seattle events benefitting Starlight Children’s
Foundation Washington have raised more than $253,000 in the last three years.
(More)

2. Oscar Night in Seattle
Page 2 of 2
Feb. 1, 2009
“Oscar Night America parties give communities across the country the opportunity to
both share in the excitement of Oscar Night and support worthy causes,” said Academy
Executive Director Bruce Davis. “And it’s terrific that a world-wide television event can benefit
so many charities on a local level.”
“This is our major annual fundraiser, and we’re concerned that the current economy
might affect our ability to provide programs and services to the seriously ill children and their
families we support,” said Steve McGraw, the chapter’s executive director. “But we had an in-
credibly enthusiastic turnout last year, and the Seattle philanthropic community is historically
generous. We’re hopeful that everyone will understand charities need to continue raising opera-
tional funds even in tough economic times.”
Oscar Night America tickets are $150 and can be ordered by calling Starlight Children’s
Foundation Washington at (425) 861-7827, ext. 102, or at www.starlight-washington.org. Doors
open at 3:30 p.m., and the Oscars ceremony starts at 5 p.m.
About Starlight Children’s Foundation
When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is
affected. Starlight Children’s Foundation is a 25-year-old, non-profit organization dedicated to
helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through
entertainment, education and family activities. Unlike any other charity, Starlight offers a
comprehensive menu of outpatient, hospital-based and online offerings that enables it to provide
ongoing support for children and families—from diagnosis through the entire course of medical
treatment. 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.
Starlight serves children and teens suffering from chronic, life-threatening illnesses such
as cancer, cystic fibrosis, kidney and heart disease, diabetes, asthma and sickle-cell disease. The
nonprofit organization operates a network of chapters and offices in every U.S. state and
Canadian province, and also delivers programs internationally through affiliates in Australia,
Japan and the United Kingdom.
Starlight’s Washington State chapter (www.starlight-washington.org) served more than
20,000 children and family members at 526 inpatient and community events statewide in its
fiscal year 2008. The chapter has been awarded a Four-Star rating by Charity Navigator, the
nation’s premier independent charity evaluator.
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