Honks for Hope:

Drive-In HUG

On September 12th, following 17 months of solely virtual activity, we reunited as a Meagan’s HUG community at Honks for Hope – Drive-in HUG. There was no way we were going to let COVID-19 stop us from celebrating our 20th anniversary

year!

Honks for Hope began at Yorkdale Shopping Centre where teams assembled, embraced, and decorated their vehicles. Team Bike for Kids cycled out, first in the line, leading the four - wheeled teams to their destination. Thanks to the Toronto Police Service, the car parade had a full police escort as they made their way to Downsview Park, where we welcomed families and supporters.

The energy in the air was electric. Being together again, albeit in a safe, socially distanced format, was comparable to the energy we feel in May at our signature HUG event. The outdoor concert headlined by Jim Cuddy and his sons, Devin Cuddy and Sam Polley, had everyone up singing and dancing beside their vehicles.

And thanks to Patrick McKenna and Deb McGrath for volunteering their time and talents as special guest hosts, and helping the show run so smoothly!

Thank you to all our sponsors, families, participants, entertainers, and volunteers for making the day such a memorable event.

A special thanks to IKEA Etobicoke for providing gift cards to the winners of the car decorating contest.

Registration is now open for our 21st Annual Meagan’s HUG in Toronto. Many members of the Meagan’s HUG community have been asking about our 2022 plans and we are excited to report that we are actively planning

for an in-person event.

With Fort York as our starting point, we will walk together as a community making noise on the streets of downtown Toronto to bring awareness to our cause. Together, we will wrap our arms around SickKids bringing a message of hope to patients, families, caregivers, doctors, nurses, and researchers inside, letting them know that they are not alone. Together we HUG!

This year there are 2 ways to participate:

1) In-person: We invite people of all ages and abilities to come walk us through the streets of Toronto and feel the power of the HUG in person.

2) Virtually: The positive aspect during COVID is that our HUG has expanded beyond Toronto, to villages, towns, cities across the country and around the world. We want to keep that momentum going!

Registration is required for those planning to attend Meagan’s HUG in person. Back by popular demand are the early bird admission fees. Complete your registration by February 21st to take advantage of the reduced prices.

New this year we have introduced family admission rates; and yes, these too have early bird discounts available.

In our efforts to always maximize the impact of fundraising dollars and direct them to research, admission fees are used to offset the event expenses, covering costs, such as, venue rentals, permits, audio visual, staging, policing, security, portable washrooms, tents

etc.

Once registered to attend in person, or if participating virtually, it’s time to set up your fundraising page. Whether you participate as an individual or as part of a team, setting a fundraising goal makes a difference. Working towards a goal helps your donors know what you are striving for. You can monitor your own progress against your goal, all the while knowing the impact you are making in the lives of children and families affected by paediatric brain tumours.

Why not kick start your fundraising by setting up your page ahead of the holidays? Many people give to charities over the holiday season, leading up to the December 31st tax deadline. Sharing your page with your families, friends, colleagues, and neighbours

who may be looking for a charity to donate to can help you towards your 2022 goals.