Charlie Grant is stepping into his new role as Chair of Shad’s R&R with equal parts pride and ambition — and a clear target in mind.
“We’ve dubbed it ‘The road to $10 million,’” Grant said, outlining his vision for the nationally recognized automotive aftermarket fundraiser in support of Muscular Dystrophy Canada. “The goal [for the 50th] was to get to the $6 million mark which we did with the generous support of everybody from the aftermarket. That was just an incredible feat.”
Speaking on The Great Canadian Aftermarket Podcast, he said that reaching $6 million in cumulative fundraising — achieved during the organization’s 50th year — was a milestone moment. “Hundreds of thousands of dollars raised again for MD Canada. It was wonderful,” Grant said, noting that Shad’s R&R was also honoured with MD Canada’s prestigious Fred Shaddick Award for community spirit and giving back.
But Grant isn’t interested in standing still.
His focus for the year ahead is modernizing operations and enhancing the event experience. “My goal with Shad’s R&R this year is to kind of leverage the technology. It’s kind of work smarter, not harder,” he explained. That includes automating processes and rolling out digital tools such as Golf Genius, which will allow participants to register, manage teams and track live scoring through an app. “It’s going to be new and fun and fresh,” he said. “That’s kind of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
While technology will add polish, Grant is adamant that the event’s defining feature remains its camaraderie. He takes particular pride in the way competitors across the Canadian aftermarket set rivalry aside for the cause.
“We really do love touting that we do put the gloves down for the day. It doesn’t matter — there’s no competitors. We are all there for the same cause,” he said. “Folks from out of town come in and say, ‘Wait a minute, that’s your competitor and you’re in the same cart? You guys are sharing a beer together? This is amazing.’”
That spirit has earned Shad’s R&R recognition beyond Canada’s borders. “Shad’s has become North American recognized for sure because of that,” Grant added.
At the heart of it all is the mission to fund research and support for Canadians living with neuromuscular disorders. Grant spoke passionately about the progress being made.
“They are researching to try to find a cure, and as every year goes by and the dollars go in, they feel that they are getting closer and closer,” he said. Referencing remarks made during an acceptance speech by longtime supporter Brad Shatick, Grant added: “We’re hoping that one day we have to find a new charity because we’ve found a cure.”
He acknowledged that “close could be five, 10 years down the road,” but emphasized that researchers “do see a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Equally important is the impact on newly diagnosed patients. “Changing the perspective for the newly diagnosed… now it’s, ‘Okay, you’re diagnosed, here’s the steps that we can now take,’” Grant said. “So, it gives also that patient hope that this can be a prolonged and hopefully pain-free or manageable experience as they work towards a cure.”
For Grant, the cause is deeply personal. He recalls seeing a Shad’s R&R bag tag on his father’s golf bag as a child — long before he fully understood what the tournament represented. “This isn’t just a golf tournament; this is a charity. This is where you give back,” his father told him. “This is really the first time… I truly was explained what a charity was.”
Today, that early lesson fuels his leadership.
“I’m so honoured. But I’m so motivated,” Grant said. “I’ve been listening to the people… How was your experience? What could we do better? And we’re digesting that all, and we’re going to try to make this experience fantastic for everybody who attends.”
He also underscored the importance of board leadership and industry participation. “The board is just a top-notch group of people,” he said, adding that new volunteers are always welcome. “If somebody’s thinking that they’d like to get involved, I’m happy to have that conversation.”
With a bold fundraising target, renewed energy and a united industry behind him, Grant’s message is clear: the road to $10 million is already underway.
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