Toronto, Ontario -- A Toronto collision repair franchise donated $1,500 to Cystic Fibrosis Canada during a community festival held in the city's Danforth neighbourhood during the summer.
The donation came from CARSTAR Danforth Tip Top, owned by Liane and Joe Murillo, and was raised through raffle ticket sales connected to the annual Wheels on the Danforth event.
"Liane and Joe Murillo, [the] incredible franchisees behind CARSTAR Danforth Tip Top, once again showed their deep commitment to the community by hosting their annual Wheels on Danforth event," franchise officials wrote in a social media post. "This year’s celebration was extra special, as it included a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Canada / Fibrose kystique Canada raising $1,500."
Wheels on the Danforth is a community festival organized by the Crossroads of the Danforth BIA. The event closes a section of Danforth Avenue each summer for live music, food vendors and a large, fully judged car show. Liane Murillo, who co-owns the CARSTAR franchise with her husband Joe, also plays a key role in organizing the festival as the BIA’s events co-ordinator. She has been involved with Wheels on the Danforth since its early years.
In a previous interview, Murillo said the event typically draws between 15,000 and 20,000 people and features between 200 and 250 classic and tuner vehicles. “It’s always involved a car show, music, vendors and a charity raffle,” she said.
This year’s raffle prizes included Toronto Raptors game tickets, with support from CARSTAR and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. The event also included appearances by members of the North Side Crew.
Joe Murillo said the couple’s involvement has always been about supporting the neighbourhood. “It’s to benefit the whole area,” he said. “We were involved from the very beginning.”
