Let’s get through the rest of the week together with some mid-week motivation! It can be easy to feel discouraged when everything around us seems to be bad news. We’re here to deliver you some heartwarming stories and remind you to smile! Starlight Canada’s community continues to shine through these dark times, and reminds all of us that whenever there are hard times, there are always stronger people.
Changing lives with a car and a camera
While many aspects of our lives may now feel beyond our control, one very special individual has proven that we all have the power to make a difference.
“Taking pictures of exotic cars isn’t the most essential career out there, but I’ve been trying to come up with some way to contribute to the community during these uncertain times,” shared Lucas Scarfone.
Scarfone has been a supporter of Starlight Canada since 2017, and it all started with a phone call with Sven Grabke, Chairman of Drive 4 Smiles Toronto. With many friendships made over the years as a car enthusiast and photographer, as well as a partnership with Sean Patrick at Autostrada Magazine, Scarfone asked Grabke if he could bring his friends, and their cars, to his event.
The rest is history. Starlight Canada’s Drive 4 Smiles Toronto event last year had over 80 exotic cars, featuring a quintessential Ferrari LaFerrari. Thanks to Scarfone and his friends, seriously ill children got the experience of a lifetime driving around in amazing cars on a professional racetrack!
With Drive 4 Smiles being cancelled, and many of our other major fundraising events being postponed, Scarfone was determined to give back to vulnerable, isolated children in these desperate times.
This month, Scarfone began shooting “contact-free” charity driveway portraits, with 100% of the proceeds going towards Starlight Canada’s Play From Home program. For a minimum donation of $100 per vehicle, car owners scheduled sessions to get professional photos taken of their car on their property or driveway, contact-free!
When the automotive community found out about Scarfone’s mission, they were quick to offer their support and encouragement. “Lucas, beautiful heart you have in creating this energy to give,” one donor said. The feedback was so amazing, and Scarfone’s determination so strong, that he has now driven countless hours to get every portrait done and collect every donation!
In less than 3 weeks, with Scarfone leading the way, the automotive community has raised over $10,000! This money will put over 100 Play From Home Packs in the homes of seriously ill children across the country.
Happiness delivered right to their doorstep, these packs contain board games, crafts, and tons of interactive activities, so kids like 6-year-old Ella, who lives with a heart condition, and her brother Cameron can laugh and play!
“We’re all in this together,” Scarfone said. “I’m looking forward to assisting and raising funds and awareness for such a great cause.”
Scarfone is right. We’re all in this together. Join him by donating a Play From Home Pack at playfromhome.org, and YOU can send a kit to a Starlight family stuck at home this month and bring smiles, laughter and joy directly into their living room. Donate now!
Have a feel-good story about how you’re giving back to Starlight Canada during these times? Share it with us for a potential feature in our COVID-19 Community Corner!