Teen ‘Star’ Corbin Bleu recently visited with pediatric patients at Shriners Hospital for Children – Los Angeles and announced Starlight Starbright’s Shining Stars® partnership with Russ Berrie U.S. Gift, Inc (NYSE: RUS). Russ Berrie has elected Starlight Starbright as the official charitable partner of its new Shining Stars program.

The program includes a special plush Shining Stars friend and the opportunity to “become a star” by naming and registering a real star in the sky with the International Star Registry.

Corbinsmilinggirlwwrist_4 Each Shining Stars friend comes with a secret code found inside a sealed hangtag that enables guests to log on to www.shiningstars.com, a virtual universe where kids can send e-cards, play customized games and find a galaxy of fun activities.

Corbinandsmilingboywbu_2 As the official charity of the Shining Stars® program, Russ is making a minimum guaranteed donation of $50,000 and a maximum donation of $850,000 over a two year period. Kids on www.shiningstars.com will have the opportunity to donate ‘glow points’, the official currency of the site, to Starlight Starbright knowing that they are helping to make a world of difference for seriously ill children and their families.

“I am proud to be a StarPower Ambassador for Starlight Starbright and I think what Russ Berrie is doing is pretty incredible,” said Corbin.