This past Family Day weekend, our Starlight families were treated to a day of off-roading, snowy adventure at our Winter Motomax event, generously hosted by Severn Marina and the Baxter Snow Riders!
Over the course of 3 days, the community of Port Severn came together to welcome 150 seriously ill kids and their families! For children and families who just need a break from their medical battles, fully accessible and adapted snowmobile, ATV, and hovercraft rides helped provide a much-needed pick-me-up – with Captain Starlight alongside them to make them laugh every step of the way!
To bring this adventure to life, Severn Marina kindly donated their space to help create a winter wonderland. The incredible team from Baxter Snow Riders – Arthur Christakos, Steve McHaffie, Bradley Welch, Bud Knowles, and Kenneth Braid – brought in the action and led the group on thrilling snowmobile rides, groomed the sled trails, and even created custom ATV trails! Meanwhile, local volunteer, Michael Child, assisted with site and vehicle maintenance to ensure everyone’s safety.
Among the kids taking on this adventure-filled weekend was 5-year-old Everly, who lives with Potocki-Lupski syndrome. Everly is non-verbal with limited mobility due to low muscle tone; often using a stroller to get around safely. With her condition, sensory experiences such as Winter Motomax help Everly feel stimulated, explorative, and truly enjoy the excitement of childhood.
“This Motomax event has given us so many fun memories. When Starlight Canada organizes events for families like mine who have children that are medically complex, it gives us an opportunity to do something fun together as a family that doesn’t revolve around hospitals, medical appointments, tests, and therapy,” shared Bonnie, Everly’s mom. “It’s so unbelievable for the siblings. Too often their lives revolve around their special needs sibling, so it’s such a great experience for them to be made to feel extra special too and do something ‘normal.’”
A huge thank you to Severn Marina and the Baxter Snow Riders for creating countless smiles and memories!
Stay tuned for more Starlight Motomax activities coming soon to Port Severn! We are so excited to continue working with the amazing community in the area and will be bringing our entire program to them next summer – and for years to come!
To get involved as a volunteer, driver, or more, please contact Kaitlin Kiraly, Children’s Services Coordinator, at kaitlin.kiraly@starlightcanada.org.
Want to give kids like Everly a chance to experience childhood outside of hospitals? Donate now at give.starlightcanada.org to help other seriously ill children smile across Canada.