The reason why I joined the Packing a Smile team  was to give back. When I found out that Brooke had begun her own charity, I wanted to get involved in something so fulfilling and meaningful. I love the idea of supporting those less fortunate than I, and enjoy the energy and passion that Brooke and everyone on the Packing a Smile team brings.

My favourite part of Packing a Smile is how special they make every single child feel. The entire team goes out of their way to ensure that each child that they interact with ends up with the biggest smile on their face. Whether affected by illness or even the sibling of a sick child, Packing a Smile allows kids that are struggling to ignore any and all limitations.

My main contribution to Packing a Smile has been a fundraiser I ran at my high school. By reaching out to Richmond Bakery, I was able to get an incredible discount on cupcakes, which I then sold at my school. The money raised from selling these cupcakes went directly to Packing a Smile.

I begun my journey with Packing a Smile to help make strangers days better. Having already knowing Brooke, I took advantage of an opportunity to help out and starting packing bags regularly. To children who have endured struggles I can’t even begin to understand, getting to put a smile on their face and fill them with joy is something I am so fortunate to get to do. With all the behind the scenes work the Packing a Smile team puts into the packages, my favourite part is getting to go to events and experience the difference we are making. Getting to interact with the children receiving our bags and seeing the genuine smiles on the face looking through the goodies is what makes all of it count. 

So far, my biggest contribution to Packing a Smile has been a toy drive I started at my high school. With speeches, posters, and more, I was able to collect many toys and cards which then made its way into the Packing a Smile bags. I engaged many at my school about Packing a Smile, what amazing work they do and got them involved in the efforts. I feel so lucky to be apart of the fun Packing a Smile team and grateful that I get to make a small difference in the less fortunate children’s day to day lives.