Peter Brockway, managing partner of a private equity firm,
gives time and money to his favorite charity, Boca Helping
Hands. Photo by Tim Stepien
By Liz Best
Peter Brockway isn’t one to blow his own horn, but when it comes to his favorite charity, Boca Helping Hands, he’ll do just about anything.
Brockway, 55, a managing partner of Boca Raton private equity firm Brockway Moran & Partners, has always believed in offering financial support to worthy causes, but a few years ago he started to feel that just donating money wasn’t enough.
“It’s really nice to be doing more than just writing a check,” he said. “So I made a concerted effort to give my time.”
The first order of business was finding the right organization. Like many, Brockway is moved by the plight of the homeless and hungry.
“And I knew there was a better solution to helping people who are down and out than giving money to them at an intersection,” said Brockway, who lives in Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club with his wife, Susan.
He found like-minded people at Helping Hands and joined the board about three years ago.
Brockway believes the secret to their growth and success is that everyone comes from all walks of life and simply does what they do best. “Everyone on the board comes from different places (and careers). So we have all these skill sets and weave them all together,” he said.
Helping Hands serves hot meals to the needy six days a week and gives families basic staples from their food pantry. It also provides job mentoring and programs for children.
“This went from being in a church hall … to expanding their facilities,” said Brockway. “Over time, there’s been a lot of momentum.”
It’s not surprising that Brockway landed in an organization that helps those less fortunate get back on their feet. When he was growing up on Long Island, Brockway’s mother founded the Meals on Wheels program in the Huntington, NY area and his dad donated his time and talent to the Long Island Heritage Group.
“They were both very civic-minded,” he said. “I was pretty much surrounded by it.”
So are Brockway’s two daughters, who are college students. Both have found ways to do volunteer work as they attend school.
Brockway says it’s easier to volunteer at his age, with an established career. He has a little breathing room and believes Helping Hands is the perfect place to lend a helping hand.
“It’s pretty hard to argue with their mission.”
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