Baird Foundation Annual Report Imagine More: 2016 | Page 11
ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL
NASHVILLE, TN
The hustle and bustle of New York City streets on any given day can be
overwhelming. Now imagine navigating through 50,000 people on a 26.2 mile
journey as a guide for a blind athlete in your first marathon. Frank Downey,
Senior Investment Consultant in Nashville, calls it a “personal highlight.”
Frank is an active participant and treasurer of Achilles International, a nonprofit
organization that enables people with all types of disabilities to participate
in mainstream running events. “Frank’s dedication and positive spirit are truly
what make our organization so amazing,” said Carrie Redmon, executive director
of Achilles International Nashville. “We are incredibly thankful to have him as
one of our own.”
If you ask Achilles volunteers why they do it, you’ll hear the same answer
over and over: They get as much as they give and more. In addition to being
an athlete’s eyes and ears during a race, they are their motivator. “These are
amazing people that accomplish amazing things,” said Frank. “And they’ve
become close friends, too.”
THESE ARE AMAZING PEOPLE
THAT ACCOMPLISH AMAZING
THINGS. AND THEY’VE BECOME
CLOSE FRIENDS, TOO.
FRANK DOWNEY
SENIOR INVESTMENT CONSULTANT, NASHVILLE
Frank Downey (right) guides a blind
athlete to the finish line of the New
York City Marathon.