“At Drive For Smiles, I felt the support and love of a great community. I felt that we were not alone,” said Sophie, mom of 8-year-old Evan who lives with recurrent acute pancreatitis. “My son has a heart-full of memories that will never fade, even during his hospitalizations.”

It was a summer of speed and smiles as Canada’s ultimate automotive charity event revved its way across the country, transforming tracks in Montreal, Toronto, and — for the first time ever — Calgary into vibrant celebrations of community and giving back.

Voted as Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada’s #1 event by Starlight kids and their families, Drive For Smiles (D4S) 2025 welcomed over 1,000 seriously ill children and family members across all three cities. For many families, it was a rare chance to step away from medical routines and simply be together — a day where worries faded and smiles took over.

“D4S was pure magic,” shared Starlight mom Kayla from Alberta. Her son, 8-year-old Bronson lives with cerebral palsy. “Bronson truly had the best time! So much so that he even fell asleep in the convertible while going so fast. That moment perfectly captured the mix of thrill, happiness, and peace that you give him.”

Through the generosity of over 160 drivers and their luxury vehicles, children of all ages and abilities had the chance to experience the thrill of rides they had only dreamed of — sitting shotgun in Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, McLarens, and more. Their passion met purpose as they opened their hearts — and their passenger seats — to create unforgettable moments of joy.

Among these drivers is Lucas Scarfone, co-owner of Autostrada Magazine and now Chairman of D4S Toronto. A champion ambassador for D4S’s mission of giving kids a day where illness takes a backseat, Lucas continues to inspire others in the automotive community to join in the cause.

“The physical difference it can make in a child or a family — that’s why we’re here,” said Lucas. “For that five to ten minutes that they’re in the car, it’s incredibly exciting and they’re having so much fun. They almost forget about some of the battles they’re facing on a daily basis.”

With determination and a shared drive for making a difference, together, automotive communities across Canada raised over $1,000,000 for Starlight Canada — an astounding achievement that will support vital hospital-to-home programs for children and families who need it most.

“Drive For Smiles is a powerful reminder that joy, hope, and community can come together to make a real difference,” said Brian Bringolf, Chief Executive Officer of Starlight Canada. “Thanks to the generosity of our incredible drivers, sponsors, and volunteers, hundreds seriously ill children and their families experienced moments of excitement and escape that they will carry with them forever. Thank you for helping create these unforgettable memories — your support truly changes lives.”

This incredible impact was made possible thanks to the generosity of our incredible sponsors, drivers, volunteers, and supporters across Canada. From providing adrenaline-packed experiences to forming genuine connections and creating lifelong memories for Starlight kids and families, our partners helped bring the magic of D4S to life.

Thank you to our Drive For Smiles 2025 sponsors: National Sponsor, The UPS Store Canada; D4S Montreal Sponsors, Group Gabriel, Porsche Prestige, Audi St. Laurent, Jaguar Land Rover West Island, AMD Medicom, Air Canada Foundation, Auto Devenzo, Powerplay, Lamborghini Montreal, C.A.R Leasing, Environmental 360 Solutions, Valsef Dream Big Foundation, BFL Canada; D4S Toronto Sponsors, Autostrada Magazine, Environmental 360 Solutions, Policaro Group; and D4S Calgary Sponsor, Richardson Wealth Martin Wealth Council. Another thank you to our D4S Montreal Chairman, Shawn Kahan, and D4S Toronto Chairman, Lucas Scarfone, whose leadership continue to drive our mission forward.

The success of D4S in 2025 would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of those who came before us. We honor the memory of Stewart Kahan, Chairman of D4S Canada 2020, whose unwavering commitment helped shape D4S into the force for good it is today. Stewart’s efforts rallied the Montreal automotive community to stand behind — and drive for — children facing the unimaginable, and his legacy lives on in every smile we create.

Looking ahead, Drive For Smiles is ready to hit the road again in 2026 to bring horsepower and heart to even more Starlight kids and families across four Canadian cities — Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto. Save the dates and get ready to put joy in the driver’s seat for another incredible year of D4S!

Montreal: June 5-6, 2026 | Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Calgary: June 20, 2026 | Rocky Mountain Motorsports
Vancouver: July 26, 2026 | Mission Raceway Motorsports Circuit
Toronto: August 29, 2026 | Toronto Motorsports Park

For more information or to get involved in a city near you, visit d4scanada.com.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. With every ride and every smile, we’re proving that the road to giving back is the best journey of all.