Starland to raise funds for children with cancer
Tickets sold to three months of shows benefit Valerie Fund

SAYREVILLE - The Starland Ballroom will kick off a major charity drive next week.

Concert-goers planning to see bands like Blue October, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Henry Rollins, Bad Religion, the Misfits and others slated playing through the end of the year will be helping a new charity called "Last Quarter for Kids." The last quarter of the year - October, November and December - is the busiest time at Starland, and a quarter from each ticket sold will benefit children with cancer.

The Jernee Mill Road concert venue seeks to raise awareness and collect money for the New Jersey-based Valerie Fund. The nonprofit organization's mission since 1976 is to provide financial support for comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.

The group was founded in memory of Valerie Goldstein, a 9-year-old whose parents, Edward and Sue, started this grassroots effort out of their basement with the help of dedicated friends and family. The organization has children's centers in major hospitals throughout the tristate area. According to a press release, it is one of the nation's largest networks of healthcare facilities for children with cancer or blood disorders.

The Goldstein family saw a need for making quality outpatient care available close to a child's home, in order to spare parents the commute to medical care facilities in distant locations.

Valerie Fund Executive Director Barry Kirscher said that concert patrons would help more than 5,000 children who are treated by the fund each year.

"We are excited to be the recipient of the 'Last Quarter for Kids' fundraising this year," Kirscher said.

Marketing Manager Jon Vena, of AEG Live, which owns the Starland Ballroom, said cancer is an issue that hits close to home for him. He said his extended family has lost several young children to cancer and leukemia.

"… The Valerie Fund is a charity that's near and dear to my heart," Vena said.

Starland Ballroom General Manager Colin J. Conway said the venue is committed to serving the community, as it has raised over $1 million for causes related to Hurricane Katrina and tsunami disaster relief efforts, as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease. He added that this event is a way for patrons to participate in the effort.

"The Valerie Fund does a lot of amazing things to brighten the lives of children," Conway said, "and we're honored to be able to assist their efforts."

The Starland Ballroom sold 69,000 tickets to events falling in the last quarter of 2006. With the help of WRAT "The Rat" and WHTG "G Rock Radio," which donated airtime and Web space to the effort, the management at the venue hopes to make a significant contribution to the fund.

Sayreville Councilwoman Kathy Makowski said the concert venue has hosted community-oriented events throughout its time in Sayreville, including comedy nights to raise money for the victims of domestic violence, and Expresso Café, where high school students perform on stage. Her daughter has participated in the latter event.

"The Starland Ballroom has so many times helped the community," Makowski said. "So many times they have given that facility to help others. Once again, they are just showing us their generosity."

For more information about concerts scheduled during the last quarter of the year, visit www.starlandballroom.com.