Help A Child Smile

11/08/2026

Thanks to a community that loves a classic summer treat and loves giving back, The Ice Cream Truck continued its annual tradition of turning seasonal sales into meaningful support. This September, they proudly donated $4,377.72 to Help A Child Smile.
Jenny from the Ice Cream Truck presented the cheque to our Treasurer, Ramona.

Help A Child Smile is grateful for the ongoing support and awareness the Ice Cream Truck creates; they also have our logo on their trucks, which raises awareness of our programs and support.

11/07/2026

On September 13th, Levie Initiative hosted an incredible event at Shawn & Ed Brewing Company in support of three amazing organizations. Help A Child Smile is deeply grateful to be one of the recipients, receiving a generous $7,500 donation.

James Neal kindly presented this gift to our Family Events Committee during our first annual Great Wolf Lodge event in October—a fitting backdrop for a contribution dedicated to bringing families together
Your generosity will make a meaningful, immediate difference for children and families navigating childhood cancer. These funds will help lift everyday burdens through paid parking assistance, provide practical comfort with our HACS packs, and create moments of pure joy through family events and activities.

Thank you to the Levie Initiative for believing in our mission and helping us bring smiles to the families who need them most.

11/07/2026

What happens when you combine courage, community, and a fun-filled weekend?

You get unforgettable memories.

This October, Help A Child Smile hosted its first-ever family weekend at Great Wolf Lodge. Families enjoyed a one-night stay, waterpark access, meals, parking, and a Halloween dance party filled with laughter and joy.

For our children and families, it was more than a getaway. It was a chance to pause, recharge, and simply be together, leaving hospitals and treatment behind, even if only for a weekend.

Our mission has always been simple: SMILES

And thanks to our incredible volunteers, donors, fundraising partners, and supporters, we can keep making moments like these possible.

Thank you for helping us bring joy when it matters most.

Here are a few comments from our families that attended:

"My daughter has and continues to experience so much pain with her cancer journey. It is priceless as parents to be given the gift of fun and experiences to help balance it out and remind us as a family that life is worth fighting for. With hundreds of appointments over the last three years, we can’t imagine the increased financial strain…beyond me not being able to work to support her… if it wasn’t for their hospital parking support and other services. Deeply grateful!"

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the special opportunity to stay at Great Wolf Lodge. It makes such an impact after battling cancer for nearly 5 years and provides a chance to just be a kid and have fun together. We are so grateful."

"One of the biggest challenges of dealing with the constant appointments and ongoing chemotherapy and behavioural ups and downs that come with all that is making future plans to do things as a family. This event gave them (and us) something to look forward to and get excited about knowing that there were other families going through the same thing. The timing ended up being perfect for R and he enjoyed it so much. When we said good bye he asked when we would be able to come back and he hasn’t ever voiced that before about an over night trip."

Next up, our holiday party at Greg Frewin Theatre on November 28. Families, if you haven't registered yet, registration is open until November 15.

11/07/2026

On Saturday, September 5, ABATE 8 held its 10th Annual Poker Run for Help a Child Smile!

Kickstands went up at noon, and riders enjoyed the poker run, then a beef bash with live music and prizes, back at Knights Hall in Brantford.

ABATE 8 has donated $70,000 to Help A Child Smile since 2017. They’re a long-time supporter and recognize the importance of providing support and family activities for families affected by childhood cancer.

Thank you, ABATE 8, for your $7,000 donation this year.

09/20/2026

Yesterday we held our annual Family Picnic at Adventure Village

Our families enjoyed lunch and a wide range of activities, all provided by Help A Child Smile.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and you can help make sure that families have the chance to spend time together, have fun, and make memories by considering Help A Child Smile as a charity of your choice:

https://helpachildsmile.com/online-donation/

09/08/2026

Thank you to Riley and family for organizing this fundraiser in support of Help A Child Smile, and thanks to Carla Fitzsimmons from Rogers TV, Channel 20 for doing this story.

Two Waterloo sisters raising money for childhood cancer charities. ...

09/04/2026

Get your tickets now, before they sell out!

🎸 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🎗️
95% Sold - Get your tickets before its too late.
🎟 Tickets are only $20
(Select other at checkout to avoid Zeffy Fees)
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/night-for-hope

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, family fun, and community in support of Youth Cancer Awareness.

📅 Sunday, September 13th

📍 Shawn & Ed Brewing Company.

🕔 Starts at 5 PM

Enjoy live music by Amy Lin Band, Station 31 Band, and Broken Yellow, plus amazing entertainment by Magic Of Tyler Fergus and Beebop The Clown & Friends.

This special night is all about coming together to Rock the Yellow and support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Presented by TIRECRAFT Dundas & Levie Initiative with co-sponsors Total Real Estate Team, All In One Landscaping Inc, Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop, Burlington Pediatric Dentistry, Crock A Doodle Burlington & Dundas Denture Clinic, Dundas Valley Osteopathy

All proceeds support Help A Child Smile , Charlotte’s Smiles 4 Kids Project and The Robyn Foundation.

Come out, bring your family and friends, and help us make a difference. 💛

08/28/2026

The ABATE 8 Brantford 10th Annual Poker Run is next Saturday, September 5. You can pre-register and collect pledges here:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-to-peer/abate-8-brantford-10th-annual-poker-run

Registration: 10:30am
Kickstands up at Noon
Knights Hall, 12 Catharine Avenue, Brantford
$25 donation required

Enjoy live bands and a beef bash! All proceeds support children affected by childhood cancer and their families.

08/21/2026

🎸 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🎗️
Already 95% Sold

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, family fun, and community in support of Youth Cancer Awareness.

📅 Sunday, September 13th

📍 Shawn & Ed Brewing Company.

🕔 Starts at 5 PM

Enjoy live music by Amy Lin Band, Station 31 Band, and Broken Yellow, plus amazing entertainment by Magic Of Tyler Fergus and Beebop The Clown & Friends.

This special night is all about coming together to Rock the Yellow and support Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Presented by TIRECRAFT Dundas & Levie Initiative with co-sponsors Total Real Estate Team, All In One Landscaping Inc, Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop, Burlington Pediatric Dentistry, Crock A Doodle & Dundas Denture Clinic, Dundas Valley Osteopathy

All proceeds support Help A Child Smile , Charlotte’s Smiles 4 Kids Project and The Robyn Foundation.

Come out, bring your family and friends, and help us make a difference. 💛

🎟 Tickets are only $20 (Select other at checkout to avoid Zeffy Fees)
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/night-for-hope

08/11/2026

Rock for a Reason - Youth Cancer Awareness Join us for Night for Hope, a charity event presented by Dundas Tirecraft Auto Centre and the Levie Initiative, taking place on Sunday, September 13th at Shawn & Ed's Brewing Co. from 5 p.m. onwards. The evening promises to be a memorable night of live music, featuring performances by Amy Lin Band and Station 31 Band, all in support of youth cancer awareness, hope, and community connection. Don't miss out - tickets are selling quickly. Secure your tickets now: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/night-for-hope