2nd Annual Comcast SportsNet Shining Star Awards

Last Friday night was the 2nd Annual Comcast SportsNet Shining Star Awards benefiting the March of Dimes. It took place at The Westin Philadelphia. You know where I was, in bed sick. The awards are hosted by Comcast SportsNet’s Ron Burke, and honored former Gov Ed Rendell for his incredible achievements, remarkable leadership and extraordinary service to the community. (Thanks to Mike Hirata for shooting these photos for PhillyChitChat.com)
The Event organizers pose for a quick picture before the crowd arrived: Jill Galdones, Kathleee Jones, Cynthia Weiss, Dan Finnerty, Ursula Keating, Beth Maggio, Keith Hopkins, and Maureen Quilter.
Award Presenters included basketball legend Sonny Hill, Phillie Kyle Kendrick, Flyer Blair Betts, and Ex Eagle Ike Reese. Here they are posing with recipients: Jonas and Lily Vasquez, Jake Koerner (and his sister), Kate Santangelo, and Jakob Mukalian.
Hall of Fame Sports Writer Ray Didinger poses with Becki Mauck and Claire O’Keefe.
Philadelphia Phillie Kyle Kendrick, Nick Mcilwain and Marisa Magnatta from the Preston and Steve show, with former Eagle and Radio host Ike Reese.
Presenter Ike Reese with recipient Jacob Mukalian.
Former Eagle Ike Reese, current Eagle Moise Fokou, and former Eagle Tra Thomas.
Presenter Sonny Hill poses with recipients Jonas and Lily Vasquez and their parents.
Busta Move: The Phillie Phanatic shows off a new dance move. Funds raised by the Shining Star Awards benefitting the March of Dimes presented by Wanamaker Entertainment Group support the March of Dimes prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) family support programs, and advocacy efforts for stronger, healthier babies.
Presenter Blair Betts with recipient Kate Santagelo.Former Governor Ed Rendell arrived fashionably late. Any later and he would have missed out on receiving his lifetime achievement award. Through his support as Governor of Pennsylvania, the Newborn Screening Act was passed in 2008 guaranteeing newborn screening for disorders that threaten the lives of babies. Governor Rendell’s support not only raised the interest of those voting on the Act, but also raised public awareness of the devastating consequences of failure to screen and treat newborns for rare but fatal genetic and metabolic conditions. Rendell welcomed pro football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly to engage the House and Senate regarding the critical need to safeguard the health of all newborns. Because of Rendell’s work with the March of Dimes, newborns are now screened for hearing loss and 28 preventable metabolic disorders.