News and Inspiration

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	11/2008 - Ms. Cash at the American Music Awards catches up with Brightest Star supporter Chris Brown and talks with Country music singer Taylor Swift about visiting the Brightest star kids when her schedule permitted.

	10/2008 - Ms. Cash meets health expert Dr. Oz and Children Defense Fund President, Marian Wright Edelman at Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady, Maria Shriver Women's Conference in Long Beach

	9/2008 - California State University, San Bernardino President, Al Karnig congratulates, Ms. Cash. On September 26, 2008, Ms. Cash received the highest honor in San Bernardino County Black community along with eight other individuals for significant service in the local community. The "Black Rose Award" is presented every year by the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation from a pool of nominees submitted. President Karnig was one of the many dignitaries who attended the special event. Several David & Margaret youth attended the special event with their staff, along with one youth from McKinley Children's Center as Brightest Star participants. Much thanks goes to Gwen Leonard, John Fudge and San Manuel Indians who provided for their tickets. The kids had lots of fun and learned to practice social skills.

	8/2008 - Film actress Tasha Smith, known for her roles in Tyler Perry's film "Why Did I Get Married" and "Daddy's Little Girls" visited David & Margaret's Joan Macy School on campus.

	7/2008 - Award winning actress and model Katie Chonacas sponsored a "Sing Your Life Song" Brightest Star essay contest with foster youth at David and Margaret Children Home. There were six wonderful essay winners (three girls in the 9-15 year old age group and three girls in the 16-18 age group). One foster youth won the grand prize, a three week all expense paid (including airfare), to international, prestigious "Camp Farewell" (a very special summer camp for girls) located on Halls Lake, a 100 acre site in that state of Vermont. Camp Kids Foundation in Florida, a supporting organization of "The Brightest Star, Inc., arranged for the life changing experience for our foster youth winner. She left this week and we can't wait to hear about her experience.

	6/2008 - Wal-Mart's employees give back and donate $1,000.00 to Brightest Star program for Mayor Vargas' upcoming Sacramento trip with foster youth who recently graduated from David & Margaret's Home for Girls, Joan Macy School.

	5/2008 - Executive director, Lea Cash, greets famous singer, Stephanie Mills at Victoria Rowell's "High Noon Tea". A fundraiser at the Beverly Hills Hotel for foster care youth.

	5/2008 - Grace Vargas, Mayor of Rialto, joins George's Burgers restaurant manager Bobby Tsigkounis and Lea Cash for fundraiser kick off in honor of National Foster Care Month. Johnny Shrimp Boat, another Rialto restaurant hosted a fundraiser as well. Customers purchased a "star" for $1.00 to assist the Brightest Star Program.

	5/2008 - Executive director, Lea Cash, receives special certificate from Foster Care Awareness Campaign.

	4/2008 - Katie Chonacas, actress, model and music artist along with award winning young clothing designer Eddie Shaul, visited David & Margaret Home for Girls recently. They each shared stories from their past and how they overcame the many challenges they faced to succeed in the professions that they have chosen. Eddie gave the girls his signature silver or gold colored tee-shirts which can be found in high fashion retail stores and is thinking about designing a "Brightest Star" tee-shirt, donating proceeds to our organization to further our mission. Katie is featured in many up-coming movies. Look for her in "The Code" with Morgan Freeman and Antonia Banderas. And, in "Righteous Kill" with Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro and Donnie Wahlberg. They both are proud supporters of "The Brightest Star" program. And as always, we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for sharing our dream.

	4/2008 - Eddie Steeples, who plays Darnell on NBC hit sitcom "My Name is Earl" recently provided a pizza party for the children and staff at Mckinley Children's Center.

	1/2008 - President, CEO Al Mason, recently presented to Ms. Cash, a commemorative plaque in recognition of her hard work, dedication and loyalty to McKinley Children's Center.

	8/2007 - LA County 5th District Supervisor, Michael Antonovich presents Ms. Cash with a Commendation in recognition of dedicated service to the affairs of the community and for the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all citizens of Los Angeles County.