Race fan generosity on full display during first Honda Indy Toronto since 2019

TORONTO (July 19, 2022) — Proving that a two-year hiatus does little to soften people’s generosity, eager race fans, Honda Canada Foundation (HCF) and the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) came together to raise more than $84,000 for Make-A-Wish® Canada during this past weekend’s Honda Indy Toronto.

For more than a decade, Make-A-Wish® fundraising activities have been an integral part of Toronto’s marquee racing event. In lieu of paid admission, attendees were encouraged to make a contribution to Make-A-Wish upon entering the festival grounds and all donations were matched dollar-for-dollar by Honda Canada Foundation. To date, a cumulative total of $905,000 has been raised and each dollar will go toward granting wishes for children living with critical illnesses. There are currently 4,000 Canadian children waiting for their wishes to be granted.

"Everyone at Make-A-Wish was thrilled to learn that the Indy would make its return this summer and clearly, race fans, Honda Canada Foundation and Ontario Honda Dealers Association felt the same excitement,” said Meaghan Stovel McKnight, CEO of Make-A-Wish® Canada.  “Our sincere thanks go out to everyone who supports our mission to bring strength and happiness to the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions."

“It’s heartening to see Honda Indy Toronto fans supporting such an important cause,” said Tony Facciolo, Chair of Honda Canada Foundation. “Honda is a longtime supporter of Make-A-Wish Canada and we’re very thankful that countless race fans, Honda Canada Foundation partners and our dealer network remain committed to bringing joy to the lives of children and families across the country.”

About Honda Canada Foundation
Formed in 2005, Honda Canada Foundation (HCF) aims to enable the realization of dreams through various annual philanthropic activities and funding to non-profit registered charities across Canada where Honda customers and associates live, work and play. HCF focuses on four key pillars – family, environment, engineering and education – and each year more than $2 million is disbursed to groups in need. More than six million Canadians have benefited from Honda Canada - and Honda Canada Foundation-funded charitable programs. For more information, please visit www.hondacanadafoundation.ca.

About Make-A-Wish® Canada
Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We are on a quest to bring every eligible child's wish to life, because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight a critical illness. As an independently operating affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, Make-A-Wish Canada is part of the network of the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization. We serve children in every community in Canada, and in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 36,000 wishes across the country, over 1,000 last year alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish Canada, visit makeawish.ca.