Canada’s automotive community helped raise a record $900,000 for Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada during the 14th annual Drive for Smiles Montreal, one of the country’s largest automotive charity fundraising events.
Held June 6 at Circuit Mont-Tremblant and presented by Groupe Gabriel, the event brought together more than 70 exotic and luxury vehicles, volunteer drivers, dealership partners and corporate sponsors to provide professionally managed track rides for hundreds of seriously ill children and their families.
According to Starlight Canada, the event pairs children facing serious illnesses with volunteer drivers in Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens, Porsches and other high-performance vehicles, giving families an opportunity to step away from the challenges of medical treatment and create lasting memories.
This year’s event marked the fundraiser’s most successful year to date. Since its launch in 2013, Drive for Smiles has raised more than $5 million and delivered more than 10,000 ride experiences. What began in Montreal has expanded to Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, collectively welcoming more than 1,000 children and family members each year.
“The smiles you see are about so much more than a ride in an exotic car,” said Brian Bringolf, CEO of Starlight Canada, in a statement. “They’re about giving families a chance to put illness aside.”
The event was supported by a broad cross-section of the automotive community, including dealership groups, manufacturers, suppliers and industry partners. Automotive sponsors included Groupe Gabriel, Chevrolet Buick GMC de LaSalle, Lamborghini Montreal and Lotus Montreal, alongside numerous other corporate supporters and volunteer fundraising drivers.
Funds raised will support Starlight Canada’s hospital and outpatient programs, which provide play, family experiences and emotional support for children living with serious illnesses across Canada.
