Volunteering as a way of life

But giving back is not just about doing something for the local community’s benefit, Way says; he is doing something for himself, too.

“It’s an excuse for me to be a kid,” he says. “I like to laugh; I like to joke around. And kids are awesome for that.”

That’s why Way first got involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel (BBBS)program 10 years ago, first as a “big brother,” later as a board member, then as the organization’s treasurer and, starting this July, as its chairman. Not only does Way help guide the charity’s programs; he continues to get involved in regular events, such as picnics and bowling nights by interacting with youngsters there.

“You try to help break down any barriers they have, in terms of their being shy or intimidated, at these events,” Way says. “They get to be the kids that they are.”

Way learned the importance of charitable involvement from his parents. His mother raised money for the Lung Association and his father volunteered as a coach. “It just felt right,” says Way, “to give back.”

Today, Way has a young family of his own. He is married to Katherine, with whom he has two sons: Reid, three, and Gavin, who was born this past December.

After completing a master’s degree in business administration at McMaster University in Hamilton in 2001, Way volunteered for two years as an assistant coach in the Brampton Minor Hockey Association. With his schedule eventually becoming too hectic for coaching, Way switched over to the BBBS. After completing its screening process, Way was paired with a nine-year-old “little brother.”

“We would do everything from going to see a movie to going to the gym to shoot hoops,” Way says. “As time went on, you start to develop a trust, and it goes from being just a buddy relationship to really being a mentor helping to deal with the challenges of teachers and siblings.”

After a year, as the little brother’s family life became more stable, the mentorship ended and Way made the transition to becoming involved in the BBBS at the organizational level.

It was around this time that he joined David Sharpe in a business partnership to form the Sharpe-Way Group, which today is a fee-based, six-person team with $345 million in assets under management.

Way also contributes to other charities through his love of sports and fundraising.

In 2008, Way completed the Florida Ironman Triathlon, raising money for the cardiac ward of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He says he took on the gruelling swimming, cycling and running event in memory of the 17-year-old brother of a best friend, whom Way used to tutor. With the help of friends and family, Way was able to raise more than $40,000 for the hospital.

Since 2009, Way has been involved with the Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation (CCACF), a charity that raises money for the fight against childhood cancers, and has participated in that group’s cycling-based fundraising initiatives. In 2011, Way’s team completed a 16-day, 3,200-kilometre trip from Vancouver to Halifax as part of the CCACF’s National Kids Cancer Ride. Way’s team raised $85,000 for childhood cancer research, with $15,000 of that contributed through Scotiabank’s Bright Future program.

In addition, Way contributes to charitable initiatives through the Sharpe-Way Group. These projects include the Brampton and Area Community Foundation and the project to redevelop the Brampton Peel Memorial Hospital. And this year, Way will participate in the ScotiaMcLeod Brampton Inside Ride and the Tour for Kids, both of which are CCACF events.

Although juggling family and work along with charitable initiatives can be challenging, Way says, the reward is worth the effort. “You get so much out of it,” Way says. “There’s a degree of satisfaction in knowing you’ve raised money to help kids out.”

To view a video with Glen Way, click here.

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