Take a look into a friendship that will warm your hearts (as it has for many seriously ill children and their families behind the scenes over the years)!
As we all take a step back from our everyday life during COVID-19, Starlight Canada is taking this time to appreciate some of the friends we have made throughout our journey. Let’s just say, we all could use a friend like David Druker. Happy Birthday, David! This one is for you.
No matter where David goes, he brings Starlight Canada with him.
The President of The UPS Store Canada, and a family man from Quebec with his wife and three healthy daughters, David Druker has always used his success and good fortunes to help those less fortunate.
His story with Starlight Canada began years ago, when a friendship between David and Starlight Canada’s CEO, Brian Bringolf, transcended into a working partnership that would impact the lives of seriously ill children for years to come. Like most good things in life, their working relationship came completely unexpected. But as shared passions for giving back continuously came to the forefront of many conversations, David knew he wanted to get involved with Starlight Canada and make a difference.
David has an incredible multi-franchise conglomerate and has always used this success to help others in any way he can. No matter what path he has taken, he makes sure Starlight Canada is right there beside him.
When David was the owner of a chain of cellular stores, he and his staff built a snow box to race down the slopes at our children’s Starlight SkiOthon event!
SkiOthon is an adapted ski day that gives kids the chance to feel the excitement of hitting the slopes – most of them for the first time!
As he transitioned into his current position at The UPS Store Canada, so did his involvement with Starlight Canada. His move came with new connections, where David was quick to bring Starlight Canada into the conversation. He introduced Brian to The UPS Store Canada executive chairman, Larry Plotnick. The rest is history; Drive 4 Smiles was created as a unique automotive fundraiser that brings together drivers of exotic cars with Starlight children.
Voted as the number one event by Starlight kids and families, Drive 4 Smiles gives seriously ill children a once in a lifetime chance to experience driving around in exotic cars on professional racetracks!
Thanks to David, The UPS Store Canada now also annually sponsors Drive 4 Smiles. Not only do they donate the signage, flyers and more in support of the event — and so many others — but David and one of his daughters drive in it themselves every year!
Countless projects, countless donations, countless connections. All of this started with a friendship. Thank you, David, for being a friend not only to the staff of Starlight Canada, but to seriously ill children and their families all across the country.
You too can be a friend to a child who needs your help. While these fundraisers and children’s events are on hold due to COVID-19, seriously ill children and their families need us now more than ever!
Donate a Play From Home Pack and help bring happiness home to immunocompromised children. Learn more at playfromhome.org.
Have a feel-good story about how you’re giving back to Starlight Canada during these times? Share it with us for a potential feature in our COVID-19 Community Corner!