If you’ve been following me and Cuddle for Keeps for a while, you’ll know that this small business is more than just a cuddle. My mission has been to touch lives while giving back to causes that matter. I’m a firm believer that many small businesses and non-profits are created by passion-driven individuals who want to turn their own personal experiences into purpose-driven work. And that’s exactly what Brooke Lax of Packing a Smile has done.
Turning Adversity into Purpose
In 2016, just before her tenth birthday, Brooke was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), a heart condition that causes sudden, rapid heartbeats. From this diagnosis, she learned firsthand how scary and isolating a hospital can be and wanted to help others in a similar position. Brooke developed the idea of Packing A Smile over two years and officially launched in 2018. Packing A Smile is a non-profit dedicated to giving children a reason to smile while they experience extended hospital stays or complex medical journeys. By collecting toys, books, stuffed animals and games, Packing A Smile donates care packages to children across Canada to help make their days a little brighter. Each package is carefully curated with items meant to uplift, comfort, and encourage. The moment a child opens their care package, it puts a smile on their face and it’s a strong reminder of how powerful kindness can be. Brooke works with primarily Canadian retailers and donors to create these special gifts.
A Shared Commitment to Compassion
Brooke embodies the very essence of what I strive for at Cuddle for Keeps: compassion, generosity, and the belief that small gestures can make a big difference. Her work has made a positive impact for children and their families within some of Canada’s largest healthcare organizations such as SickKids, Campfire Circle, and Childhood Cancer Canada. Brooke is also a SickKids patient ambassador and shares the impact that SickKids had on her life. Her experience taught her to challenge adversity and use it as motivation to incite resilience.
Kindness Can Change Everything
Packing A Smile has grown into a network of volunteers and supporters who have joined her mission. Brooke’s initiative proves that a single person’s empathy, when acted upon, can grow into something truly transformative.
I was thrilled when Brooke reached out to me in hopes of joining forces. It was very clear after our initial conversation that she has spirit, drive and endless care. While I’ve had my own successes with Cuddle for Keeps, Brooke and her work inspire me to do more, to do better and to keep caring. Small acts of kindness matter and small acts, especially when paired, can change the world. I am so proud to be partnering with Brooke to bring Cuddle for Keeps Buddie Bears into her Packing A Smile care packages. It’s an honour to be part of something so special and I am endlessly grateful to be able to touch the lives of children across Canada during their most difficult hurdles.
A Partnership Rooted in Care
Together, we will join our passions and commitment to giving back through comfort. This partnership is about creating experiences that say “You are seen. You are loved. You matter”. Every smile and every cuddle is a reminder that comfort has the power to heal.
Stay tuned for updates on this meaningful partnership and ways that you can get involved.
Cuddle,
Suzanne
