Starlight Children’s Foundation™ Canada invites families to take the ‘ride of their lives’ at 2nd Annual Drive For Smiles

MONTREAL, QC (August 28, 2014) – On September 21, 2014, hundreds will gather at Circuit ICAR  (12800 Henri Fabre) in Mirabel, Quebec to participate in The UPS Store’s 2nd Annual Drive For Smiles benefiting Starlight Children’s Foundation™ Canada. The event will provide an opportunity for Starlight families to enjoy a fun-filled day on the track, while interacting with luxury cars and participating in a variety of distractive entertainment.

Highlights of the day’s activities include a parade procession of luxury vehicles, followed by Starlight children experiencing the thrill of a lifetime on the Circuit ICAR track. After lunch, families will be invited to take a ride on a helicopter, try their hand at the 1 km go-karting track or watch as drivers show off their best moves on the track.

“We’re so grateful to The UPS Store for assisting us in providing these children and families with an escape from their everyday health concerns,” says Starlight executive director, Brian Bringolf. “Events like Drive For Smiles help families enjoy a day out without the stress of planning, organization and cost.”

Starlight’s mission to provide distractive entertainment spans from hospital to home, by providing programming such as Starlight Escapes (holiday parties, movie premieres), Day Brighteners (unexpected outings), Fun Kits (child essentials for unexpected hospital stays) and Fun Centers™ (equipped with a dvd player, Nintendo Wii, games and movies) for seriously ill children and their families.

“Starlight understands what families go through when a child is sick, and how important it is to find relief from constant worry and isolation,” says event chair Larry Plotnick. “Their programs, such as Drive For Smiles, are designed to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families who are facing similar challenges so they never feel alone. Those who have the ability to donate their luxury cars are just as enamoured with the event as the children. Spending time with these amazing kids in an intimate environment is truly a life-altering experience.”

Also taking place on the Circuit ICAR track, Starlight families will participate in a “Walk For Smiles”. The annual fundraising walk provides children with the unique chance to give back to the foundation. General public is able to contribute to families participating in Walk For Smiles via online donation at http://www.walkforsmiles.ca.

To participate or sponsor the 2nd Annual Drive For Smiles, please visit http://www.driveforsmiles.ca.

For more information, media accreditation, photos or interview requests, please contact:

Cory Stewart

Embrace Disruption PR

cory@embracedisruption.com,

o: 416.963.9857 c: 647.638.1586

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is part of Starlight’s global network, serving kids and families through partnerships with more than 130 healthcare facilities. Over the past 30 years, Starlight has become a leading global charity that partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world. Collaborating with innovators in pediatric healthcare, entertainment and technology, Starlight provides a unique blend of family-centered programs and services from hospital to home. Starlight partners with more than 1,750 healthcare facilities and pediatric hospitals in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and the United States, serving millions of children every year.

Website: http://www.starlightcanada.org/

Twitter: @StarlightCanada #DriveSmiles

Facebook: http://facebook.com/starlightcanada

Youtube: http://youtube.com/canadastarlight

About The UPS Store:

The UPS Store in Canada is a network of over 360 independently owned and franchised locations providing convenient and value-added business services to the small-office/home-office (SOHO) market, corporate “road warriors,” and consumers.

Website: http://www.theupsstore.ca

Twitter: @TheUPSStore_CAN

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheUPSStoreCA

Organization Plans Star-Studded Fundraising Event Fit for a Queen

TORONTO, ON (February 25, 2014) – Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada is proud to announce the return of their annual Fundraising Gala on April 5, 2014 at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St. West). The 19^th annual Starlight Gala will be hosted by the “Queen of Comedy”, Carla Collins, and is presented by Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us Canada.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m., over 700 guests will enter a fully transformed venue, fashioned to mirror the evening’s theme, London, Calling! Complete with ‘royal’ influences, programming will include dinner, silent and live auctions and a selection of top Brit-themed entertainment.

“Our Gala continues to be one of the most important fundraising initiatives that we host throughout the year,” said Starlight executive director, Brian Bringolf. “It offers the unique opportunity to gather sponsors, donors, volunteers and Starlight families under one roof to celebrate the work that we do.”

(Gala host, Carla Collins) 

Celebrities scheduled to attend include: recording artists Matt Dusk and Karl Wolf, Love It Or List It’s Hilary Farr, supermodel Stacey McKenzie, YTV’s Next Star judge Mark Spicoluk, KiSS 92.5′s Taylor Kaye, PROUD FM’s Mike Chalut, cast members from television shows such as Murdoch Mysteries and The Listener, along with many other notable Canadians.

Starlight Canada is pleased to welcome an extensive group of new and returning sponsors in support of their 19th annual Gala. Supporters include: Presenting Sponsor, Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us Canada; Diamond Sponsors, Great Blue Heron Charity Casino and Delmar International; Gold Sponsor, Bloom Lanys Professional Corporation; and Silver Sponsors, Playtex, Hillberg & Berk and Corus Entertainment.

“Toys“R”Us Canada has sponsored Starlight Children’s Foundation for 16 years because we truly believe that it makes a difference in children’s lives,” said Kevin Macnab, president of Toys“R”Us Canada. “One parent, whose 3-year-old daughter was in the hospital, wrote us and said, ‘The Starlight Fun Room, with its arts and crafts area, replaced Helena’s tear-stained cheeks with smiles and glitter.’ It is stories like Helena’s that inspire us to sponsor the Starlight Gala and motivate our employees to raise funds and awareness for Starlight throughout the year.”

Since its inception in 1995, the Starlight Gala has raised over $5,000,000 dollars, making it one of the foundation’s largest sources for fundraising. Tickets for this year’s event can be purchased online by visiting http://www.starlightmatters.com.

(Photo from last year’s 18th annual Starlight Gala)

For media accreditation, photos or interview requests, please contact:

Cory Stewart | Embrace Disruption PR,

p: 647.638.1586 | e: cory@embracedisruption.com

About Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada:

Starlight Children’s Foundation™ Canada is part of Starlight’s global network, serving kids and families through partnerships with more than 130 healthcare facilities. Over the past 30 years, Starlight has become a leading global charity that partners with experts to improve the life and health of kids and families around the world. Collaborating with innovators in pediatric healthcare, entertainment and technology, Starlight provides a unique blend of family-centered programs and services from hospital to home. Starlight partners with more than 1,750 healthcare facilities and pediatric hospitals in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, serving millions of children every year.

Website:       http://starlightcanada.org

Twitter:          @StarlightCanada         #StarlightMatters

Facebook:    http://facebook.com/starlightcanada

YouTube:       http://youtube.com/canadastarlight

About Toys“R”Us, Canada:

Toys“R”Us (Canada) Ltd., is part of Toys“R”Us, Inc., the world’s leading dedicated toy and juvenile products retailer. Toys“R”Us, Canada operates over 80 stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca or www.babiesrus.ca

About Great Blue Heron Charity Casino:

The Great Blue Heron Charity Casino, located in scenic Port Perry Ontario, first opened its doors in 1997 and has steadily developed into one of Ontario’s premier casino destinations. With 550 exciting slots, 60 thrilling table games and award winning dining, the Great Blue Heron Casino is the closest casino to Toronto. The project is operated by a partnership consisting of Casinos Austria International, the Steiner Group and Sonco Gaming Inc. on behalf of the Mississauga’s of Scugog Island First Nation and OLG.

About Delmar International Inc.:

Delmar consists of roughly one thousand professionals working in 40 locations throughout North & South America, Mexico and Asia.  THE DELMAR GROUP today provides a variety of supply chain related services including; Customs Brokerage, Freight Forwarding, ground services, warehousing & distribution, as well as consulting and cargo management technology solutions.

From Beyonce to Vine, we certainly had a lot to say in 2013. As an ode to the year gone by, we wanted to share some of our top articles. Check out the top 10 below:

1. Just Ask Beyonce: Why Traditional Publicity Is On The Way Out 

2. How Mayor Rob Ford Could Have Saved Face During “Crack-Gate”

3. Our Top 10 Halloween Costume Predictions For 2013

4. 10 Steps To Eliminating That Pesky Writer’s Block

5. A Vine Love Story: Curtis Lepore and Jessi Smiles

6. How To Pick The Best PR Agency For Your Business

7. Making An Impact: How A Charity Or Non-Profit Can Benefit From Public Relations

8. The Benefits Of Hiring A Boutique PR Firm Or Agency

9. How Diverse Is Your PR Language? Check Out The Most Overused Words

10. 9 Quick Tips For Aspiring PR Pros

When it comes to brand awareness and fundraising, charities and non-profits are faced with a daunting task these days. We’re seeing a shift in the demographic of donors, making it extremely important to target new audiences in order to expose them to organizations they may not be aware of.

In today’s congested world of advertising, it’s hard to make noise among a sea of ads and direct mail campaigns: geared to draw interest and new supporters. Younger generations aren’t taking the time to read through the extensive materials an organization puts together, and they’re certainly not consuming content in traditional ways. It’s important to embrace the disruption happening within this market, and one way to do so is with effective public relations.

PR is often considered an add-on to non-profit campaigns, as many organizations have not had a chance to see its true effectiveness. Having worked recently with organizations like The Starlight Children’s Foundation and Pants Off For Prostate Cancer (click to see image galleries of events EDPR assisted with), we at Embrace Disruption PR have a firm grasp on how to execute a strong non-profit PR campaign.

Here are a few of the PR tactics we use to build awareness for non-profits in order attract a new wave of donors and supporters:

Publicity

Perhaps the most traditional of tactics, publicity can help get your organization in top tier news outlets. Whether it’s to publicize an upcoming event, or shed light on a touching story – PR firms and agencies can assist in getting you on your market’s top television shows, newspapers and magazines. It’s important to note: publicity doesn’t end with securing stories in traditional outlets, it should be inclusive of blogs and other content sources. In today’s landscape, fewer and fewer people are consuming content in it’s physical format – they’re looking online. Think about your research habits – you’re more likely to examine topics that matter to you through online tactics like search engines, blogs/websites and social media, right? That brings us to our next approach.

Social Media

Building meaningful relationships with like-minded influencers and supporters online can prove to be invaluable. It’s probable that many of your supporters are already actively online, talking about your brand or cause. You should be part of the conversation too – always go where your audience is. PR firms can use their established relationships with influential people online, and also build new relevant relationships to help promote and publicize your organization in one of the world’s most digestible content formats. Remembering that the exposure rate for social networking can be endless, having a strong social strategy and presence can be detrimental to building your organization’s awareness.

Blog

If your organization (or PR firm) isn’t blogging regularly, they should be. What better way to control your messaging and communicate to audiences beyond your traditional reach. Showing up in search engines more prominently with quality content can make the difference between a new donation, ticket purchase or even volunteer (elements non-profits can’t ever have enough of).

Sponsorship & Partners

Oftentimes, PR agencies and firms represent or know a variety of businesses that are actively looking for ways to align themselves with charities or non-profits that are meaningful to their organization. Finding opportunities to create special benefits, in-kind donations, sponsorships, conferences, races, galas, and contesting are definitely within the realm of a PR firm’s abilities.

Ambassador Campaigns

Another fantastic addition to your public relations efforts includes securing notable individuals and celebrities to act as spokespeople for your non-profit organization. Most PR firms have strong relationships with talent and talent management, which allows them to identify perfect matches for your publicity engagements or public service announcements. PR pros will often find opportunities to place these spokespeople within media (both traditional and non), as well as in speaking engagements and at events.

With millions of impressions garnered through traditional and non-traditional PR tactics, we’ve managed to build out incredible campaigns for our non-profit clients. If you’d like to chat more about what we can do for your organization, please don’t hesitate to send us an email or call us at (416) 963.9857 – we are based out of Toronto and our reach is nationwide.