Annual Drive 4 Smiles event puts kids in Canada’s hottest cars

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A group of around 300 deserving children and their family members will head to the Toronto Motorsport Park in Cayuga this weekend for an event that will put them in the seats of some of Canada’s hottest cars. 

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The annual Drive 4 Smiles charity event gives sick and underprivileged children and their families a chance to get up close and personal with a Lamborghini, or sit back and enjoy a tracked hot lap in a Ferrari, McLaren, or other exotic vehicle. 

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Annual Drive 4 Smiles event puts kids in Canada’s hottest cars Back to video

“It gives the kids a bit of an escape from some of their daily challenges,” says Lucas Scarfone, one of the 2021 event’s organizers and co-founder of Autostrada magazine. “They see the doors go up on a Lambo and go nuts. We take the kids and their family members out on the track…they have their hands up and are yelling and happy — it’s so great!”

Scarfone has been stacking the guest list with some of Canada’s top enthusiasts and collectors, each of whom contributes $500 to participate, and is expecting a turnout of around 50 owners and their vehicles to come out this year. 

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“We’ve all been to charity events where a bunch of people write cheques,” says Scarfone, “but I tell people, if it’s between donating money and showing up, it means way more to show up. Nobody leaves the event the same way.”

Proceeds go to event organizers the Starlight Foundation , which is dedicated to creating positive memories for seriously ill children and their families. The previous Drive 4 Smiles event that took place pre-COVID in 2019 raised $85,000 for the Starlight Foundation. Event co-organizer and Autostrada publisher Sean Patrick says he hopes to top that figure this year and reach $100,000. 

“It’s our day — it’s something very special,” says Patrick, adding how often the kids ask the questions their parents never would. “A lot of the kids ask ‘how fast does the car go? How many cars do you have? How much does it cost? Where’d you get the money to buy it?’ They’re curious and funny, and it means so much to be able to put a smile on their face.” 

If you’d like to get involved in the event, you can learn more about it or donate to the cause at the Drive 4 Smiles Canada website .