News | Friday, February 17, 2012
Ben Francois is an all-American kind of guy. He stands six feet tall with broad shoulders, an affinity for sports and an easy smile. By profession, Ben is a swim coach for the Texas Gold, a club team comprised of Austin kids ages 7-18. Most weekends he can be found at a swim meet, standing pool side giving tips, encouragement, corrections and praise. Ben has coached hundreds of kids, including some with physical disabilities, cancer and autism, and it’s given him special insight into the services provided by Any Baby Can. In regards to the connection he says, “I see what a burden these families face and what it means when they receive the support that they desperately need. That’s why Any Baby Can’s services hit close to home. That’s what makes it personal for me.” Ben is pictured right with his fiancé (now wife!), Amy, who introduced him to the agency.
This summer, Ben joined the Any Baby Can Angel Society, a major giving circle in which he’s the youngest member (by at least a decade!) Ben’s personal giving philosophy is driven by his faith. His commitment is impressive for a young person his age. “As a Christian, I feel that I’m called to give at least 10% of my income. That means giving back to the church I attend, and also to the organizations that I believe do God’s work and exemplify Him. I believe Any Baby Can is one of those organizations.”
Before joining the Angel Society, Ben volunteered at several agency events and says that his experience is what inspired him to become a donor, “I could tell that the families were so grateful for services. They wouldn’t be able to get the support they need without Any Baby Can and that’s a really big deal.”
6 in 10
low-income children are not kindergarten ready
1 in 7
babies in Texas is born preterm
525
words are known by a 3 yr old on welfare; a middle class 3 yr old know 1,116
