Rick Vaive Named 2026 Smilezone Foundation Ambassador and Huron-Perth Centre Announced as Annual Smilezone Recipient.
Oakville, ON (July 21, 2026) – The Smilezone Foundation is proud to announce the tremendous success of its 12th Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, held on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton, Ontario. The event raised an impressive $300,000 (after expenses), exceeding its fundraising goal and bringing the tournament’s cumulative fundraising total to more than $2.5 million since its inception.
Presented with the generous support of lead sponsor, The Slaight Family Foundation, the tournament welcomed professional athletes, musicians, corporate partners and community supporters for a memorable day of golf and philanthropy in support of Smilezone’s mission to transform healthcare and community spaces for children across Canada.
“We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our sponsors, celebrity participants, golfers and volunteers who continue to make this event such a tremendous success,” said Adam Graves, Co-Founder of Smilezone Foundation. “Every dollar raised helps us create comforting, child-friendly environments where children and families can feel supported during some of life’s most challenging moments. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in communities across Canada.”
A highlight of this year’s event was the presentation of the 2026 Smilezone Foundation Ambassador Award to Toronto Maple Leafs legend Rick Vaive, recognizing his longstanding commitment to the Foundation and his dedication to helping bring smiles to children and families nationwide.
Each year, Smilezone Foundation designates one special project to receive funding through proceeds from the Celebrity Golf Tournament. At this year’s event, the Foundation proudly announced Huron-Perth Centre as the recipient of the 2026 annual Smilezone. Funds raised will support the transformation of key areas within the facility into vibrant, therapeutic Smilezones, creating more welcoming and comforting environments for the children, youth and families receiving care and support.
This year’s event brought together more than 360 golfers and celebrity guests, including an outstanding lineup of NHL and PWHL stars and Canadian sports icons. Some of the notable participants included:
- Anthony Cirelli (Tampa Bay Lightning),
- Jack McBain (Utah Mammoth),
- Dylan Strome (Washington Capitals),
- Scott Laughton (Los Angeles Kings),
- Boone Jenner (Washington Capitals),
- Corey Perry (Los Angeles Kings)
- Paul Henderson (Canadian Hockey Legend),
- Rick Vaive (Toronto Maple Leafs legend and 2026 Smilezone Foundation Ambassador),
- Erik Gudbranson (Columbus Blue Jackets),
- Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders and winner Calder Memorial Trophy),
- Victoria Bach (former player Ottawa Charge)
These athletes and ambassadors generously donated their time to support Smilezone’s mission helping raise vital funds to expand therapeutic spaces for children and families across Canada.
Since its inception, Smilezone Foundation has transformed more than 500 Smilezones across all ten provinces, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of children and families by creating spaces that inspire smiles, reduce anxiety and promote healing.
ABOUT SMILEZONE FOUNDATION:
Smilezone Foundation is a registered charity in Oakville, Ontario committed to improving the lives of children receiving medical treatment at health facilities across Canada. In 2012 founders Adam Graves and Scott Bachly were approached to make a financial contribution to the construction of a local hospital. Through partnerships with hospitals, community centers, and other organizations, Smilezone creates accessible, fun, and therapeutic environments where children can heal and thrive. The Foundation has transformed 500 spaces into Smilezones across Canada, benefiting communities in all ten provinces and reaching hundreds of thousands of children, parents, health care workers and families. For more information, visit www.smilezone.com.
To download the PDF Version, please click the link: Smilezone Foundation Golf Tournament 2026 RESULTS Release FINAL
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