Drive for Smiles

Drive 4 Smiles Vancouver is a fundraising event in Mission that gives children with serious illnesses the chance to have fun riding shotgun in luxury vehicles.

This is a private event for owners of fancy cars and children supported by the Starlight Canada charity. In 2024, admission for drivers, as it’s a fundraiser, was $500.

Starlight Canada’s Drive 4 Smiles Luxury Car Event in Mission

Drive 4 Smiles (D4S) is both a fundraising event and an experience-of-a-lifetime opportunity for children facing terminal illnesses. The event raises funds for Starlight Canada, a charity that brightens the lives of children and their families going through hardships. At the event children who are fighting serious illnesses have the chance to take a fun ride in fancy cars like Ferraris and McLarens.

The Drive 4 Smiles event has taken place in Toronto and Montreal for several years. The BC version is a more recent addition. In 2024 Drive 4 Smiles Vancouver took place on August 17th in Mission which is about 70 kms east of downtown Vancouver.

Location and Registration

The event happens at Mission Raceway which is located at 32670 Dyke Road. The venue has both a regular racing track as well as a drag racing strip.

Everyone who owns a luxury car is welcome to register their vehicle for the event and to serve as its driver. The cost to register is $500 with the proceeds going to Starlight Canada. Those who register are also encouraged to raise money for the cause from others as well.

As of late July, there are around 20 cars registered for the 2024 event, raising over $12,000 by then. There would be lots more cars by the time of the event.

Drive 4 Smiles and Starlight Canada

In 2024 Drive 4 Smiles Vancouver happened on Saturday, August 17th. The event ran from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm with the rides starting at 11:00 am. There were food trucks at the event serving lunch to the participants.

After the drivers are given their safety briefing and have the chance to take a drive around the track, they’re joined by children taking part in the event. The kids get a ride unlike any they’ve ever experienced and the drivers get to make their day!

Starlight Canada runs numerous programs across the country. Another Lower Mainland event is Tea & Tiaras in Vancouver. Geared towards women and young girls, this event is a fancy session of afternoon tea. In 2024 it happened at the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre on October 5th.