The StarLight Project

10/26/2023

It is with the upmost excitement and enthusiasm that The StarLight Project and The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville unveil Reed's Dream Bedroom!

14 year old Reed is described by family and friends as fun-loving and easy going. He has a vast love for life and finds pleasure in all activities. A single interaction with Reed proves that this amazing young man is more than deserving of his "grown up" dream bedroom.

Our team strived to create a space that would serve Reed through his teenage years and beyond.

Since Reed has a passion for sports, with baseball topping the charts, our aim was to incorporate a classic touch of America's favorite pastime into Reed's daily life.

Walking into the space you immediately see Reed's alcove workspace equipped with a window view and an eight foot long desk against the setting of a traditional brick wall.

His passion for movies and video games will be elevated with his 50 inch smart TV mounted on a horizontal shiplap accent wall.
The foundation of the room is Reed's platform bed with built-in cabinets and shelving built by Breon Pacot. Like a stadium, the room is surrounded by LED recessed and bookshelf lighting.

There are accents of time preserved baseball relics throughout the room including retired baseballs, bats and gloves. However, one of the highlights is Reed's hand painted, near life-sized, mural of a baseball player from an earlier era. This masterpiece was created by Christine Applewhite of Tiniart and we are certain it will be adored for years to come.

Our team had a blast stepping back to a simpler time to create Reed's vintage baseball themed dream room. The smile on Reed's face says it all!!!

Lisa Veres Josh Veres Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville Craig Sussman Cherie Rubin Sussman Stonecore+ Ace Handyman Services Christine Applewhite Breon Pacot Visual Comfort

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers...

Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville
Breon & Katie
Christine & Sullivan
Eileen & Steve
Chris & Deb
Bonnie
Ace Handyman Services: Kurt, Luther & Kevin
Patrick
Larry
Sam
Bill
Paul
Stonecore: Travis & Antonio
Robert
Wright & Shawn
Will & Carlos
Visual Comfort
Eden, Elle & Asher

09/26/2023

The StarLight Project team and the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville are extremely excited to announce Reed Veres as the next Dream Bedroom Recipient!

14 year old Reed is one of the most fun-loving, easy-going young men we have ever met. He has a vast love for life and finds pleasure in almost all activities.
Reed enjoys baseball and football games, watching movies, singing for all to hear, playing video games, attending school and church, and “chowing down” on a respectable burger and fries.

He is described by his family and friends as having a servant’s heart, as he finds great satisfaction in lending a helping hand to all.

With his polite, generous and hardworking demeanor, Reed is the perfect young man to be awarded a Bedroom of his Dreams.

The StarLight Project Team could not be more enthusiastic to create a special room for an amazing young gentleman! We are looking forward to seeing this unique room come together for Reed and his family to enjoy for years!

11/04/2022

Love this sweet family!!
Katie Rice
Ben Rice

11/04/2022

The StarLight Project and the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville are proud to announce the completion of Ansley Rice's Dream Bathroom!

Ansley is a beautiful and fancy little girl. Adopted at age one, she has been the brightest light and love to her family. She is an incredible big sister to her two younger brothers and brings happiness to every person she meets.

Ansley has significant developmental delays requiring around the clock assistance.
One of her family's challenges was the lack of a handicap assessable bathroom and shower.

Our goal was to create an aesthetically beautiful, yet fully functional bathroom that would meet Ansley's needs while still giving that welcoming to all who entered the home.

The calming green double vanity with brass hardware and mirrors creates a soothing environment......

Highlighting the space's accessibility is the nearly eight feet wide, roll in shower that gives Ansley ample space for her and her wheelchair. A brass rainfall shower fixture with wand add to the calming ambiance of the bathroom.

The StarLight Project could not be more excited to have had the opportunity to create this special Dream space for this amazing family! We truly hope they will enjoy it and utilize its function for years to come.

Our team would like to recognize the many hands that played a role in making this Dream Room a reality:

*Letty-coordinator of materials
*Michael-tile
*Eli-plumbing
*Tyler-countertops
*Deon-vanity & barn door
*Ray-trim & paint
*Nancy-wallpaper

Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville
Leticia Arróliga
Michael Almond
Tyler Joseph Hudson
Deon Brugmann
Allen Ray Harwood
Katie Rice
Ben Rice
Craig Sussman
Cherie Rubin Sussman

03/28/2022

The StarLight Project and the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville are proud to announce Ansley Rice as our next Dream Bathroom Recipient!

Ansley is a beautiful and fancy little girl. Adopted at age one, she has been the brightest light and love to her family.

Ansley was born with lissecenpahly, microcephaly, cerebral palsy, optic nerve hypoplasia and epilepsy among a myriad of other diagnoses.

She is seven years old with significant developmental delays requiring around the clock assistance.

Although she has been described as “non verbal” she speaks through her mind, her smiles, sighs, and eye movements.

She is an incredible big sister to her two younger brothers and brings happiness to every person she meets. Ansley is a true joy and we couldn't be more excited to create a handicap assessable Dream Bathroom for her and her family!

10/18/2021

The StarLight Project & The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville are excited to announce the premier of McKenna's Toy Story themed Dream Bedroom! McKenna is a beautiful 5 year old girl who is a real-life superhero! Having endured 29 surgeries and the loss of her daddy, she portrays courage, perseverance and happiness on a daily basis . Her example is a beacon of light that we should all strive to follow. The StarLight Project Team could not be more elated to have had the opportunity to create a special room for an extra special little girl!

McKenna loves the movie Toy Story along with all of the colorful characters. Our goal was to create a dream room where she would be swept away into her very own Toy Barn with Woody, Buzz and the rest of the Toy Story Crew for years of magical adventures!

When entering the room, Buzz is soaring overhead with the iconic "claw" while the space aliens watch his every move.

The full size bed jets out of McKenna's Toy Barn with Sheriff Woody ready for play or a good night's rest.

Near the window you'll find the barrel of moneys climbing down from the ceiling. A giant, classic Etch A Sketch with a 40 inch TV enclosed is ready to play her favorite Toy Story movies on demand.
Below the TV sits a colorful array of building blocks that can open for storage. Note, the blocks spell NAVY and JASON in Honor of her Father.

The closet barn doors host everyone's favorite Slinky Dog "Slink" who grows and shrinks when the doors slide.

McKenna can store her favorite books in the crayon-themed bookcase with Hamm and the Army Men ready to read along.

If anyone has seen Mr. Potato Head, there is a hefty reward of $50 Bzillion to claim!

A very special thank you to Melissa Recker and our incredible volunteers: Zach-carpenter, Christine & Ella-muralists , Eileen-seamstress and... Steve, Kevin, Larry, Chris, Deb, Ray, Patrick, Jason, Kurt, Jodi, Pam, David, Bonnie, Linda, Stacy, Jeff, Carrie & Dave.

09/22/2021

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE STARLIGHT PROJECT AND THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF JACKSONVILLE: The StarLight Project Committee has selected MCKENNA RECKER for a Dream Room Makeover!!!! Please read her story below to find out why she is such an amazing candidate.

McKenna is a beautiful little girl with Down syndrome, who will be turning 5 years old next month. To say she is a real-life superhero would be an understatement. She has been through 29 surgeries since birth and sadly, her daddy passed away 9 months ago. Her family has been through so much and we are honored to create something extra special for such an amazing girl. McKenna loves Toy Story, Beauty and the Beast, Lilo & Stitch and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We can't wait to make her smile!!!

12/07/2020

The StarLight Project is thrilled to share with you the big reveal of Gunner Rix's Dream Bedroom!!!!
Gunner is an incredibly brave 8 year old boy to say the least. For the past 5 years he has been battling brain cancer. Although this fight caused him to become visually impaired, it hasn't kept him from being one of the coolest kids around. This coolness is evident in his love of collecting fossils, gems, coins and medieval relics. Our vision was to design a space fit for a heroic knight.

The stonework created the ambiance of being within the castle walls, the hand-sewn flags added an authenticity and the Coat of Arms Family Crest gave the room a personal touch.

Gunner requested a larger sleeping chamber, but also enough room to carry out his "knightly duties." The perfect solution was to build a custom drawbridge murphy bed that is the centerpiece of the room. We hope he loves his new castle for many years to come!!!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR DREAM TEAM:
Zach-Spots-4-Tots/Bed, desk & stonework
Christine-Mural, sign, stonework
Eileen-Pillow, window treatment, banners
Ray- Instillation specialist
On-site volunteers-Kevin, Larry, Jason, Patrick & Adam

OUR SPONSORS:
Honda of the Avenues
The Hickey Family
Orange Park Medical Center
Memorial Hospital

TO OUR IN-KIND DONOR...THANK YOU!!
Ford Family Finishes-Sliding closet doors

10/08/2020

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE STARLIGHT PROJECT AND THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF JACKSONVILLE: The StarLight Project Committee has selected GUNNER RIX for a Dream Room Makeover!!!! Please read his story below to find out why he is such an amazing candidate.

Gunner is an incredibly brave 8 year old boy to say the least. For the past 5 years Gunner has been battling brain cancer. Although this fight caused him to become visually impaired, it hasn't kept him from being one of the coolest kids around. This coolness is evident in his love of collecting fossils, gems, coins and medieval helmets. Gunner is also an avid explorer. He enjoys hiking with his family, searching for hidden waterfalls and jumping in for a swim. There is nothing that stops him from living life to the fullest!

Our team can't wait to create something extra special for Gunner!!!

09/21/2020

TODAY WE ARE RAISING MONEY FOR THE DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF JACKSONVILLE!! We have been so fortune to work with this incredible organization for the past 8 years. Their hearts are huge and their love and support for children and adults with special needs is truly amazing.

We know this is a hard time for many, but if you have $5, $10, $25, $100 to give, anything at all... we would be so grateful.

Click the link below to donate!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep it UP!!!! It is a BIG day to make a difference for Down syndrome💙💙

Click the link below to donate now – and follow us on social media to stay updated on our journey to $21,000 today!

https://dsaj.donordrive.com/index.cfm...

08/28/2020

Attention St. Johns County!! Palencia, Kensington and Las Calinas are raising money and walking (while following social distancing guidelines) to support The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville on October, 17th. We will joining a team called Designer Genes and would love for you for you to celebrate with us!!!!

https://dsaj.donordrive.com/participant/15558
Click to donate and/or sign up!

DSAJ 18th Annual Buddy Walk

08/04/2020

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!! We will be selecting our next StarLight Project family this week!! We can't to share the news with you very soon. Creating dreams makes our hearts very happy!!!!