Frank McIlhone, accounting manager from Toronto and longtime soccer coach, devotes more than 50 hours each year to Second Kicks, a small community organization that collects and ships used soccer equipment and uniforms to children around the world. Since 2005, Second Kicks collected and shipped more than 10,000 uniforms and CN's grants have helped defray the organization's massive shipping costs.

After his work as a volunteer fire fighter with the Lincoln Fire Rescue team in Beamsville, Ontario, conductor Russ Archibald decided to focus on his other passion: amateur sports for children with special needs. Russ and his wife Maria helped re-establish the Grimsby-Lincoln chapter of Special Olympics Ontario about four years ago. “We got involved because our children needed it, and our community needed it.”

Edmonton-based Service Design analyst Tim McFadyen spends close to 100 hours every season as a volunteer football coach. “There were lots of people who volunteered when I was a kid, and it's my turn to give back. I also love seeing kids who have never played football before improve throughout the season. They just soak up everything that I give them. They're very happy. To see them getting to that level where their game gets better is really satisfying.”