Thomas G. Baker joined an esteemed group of “movers and doers”, individuals who inspire our community. He was named the 2010 recipient of the Malcolm Haven Award for Selfless Community Giving at a well-attended reception at Charleston Place. Like threads woven into our nonprofit landscape these individuals exemplify the work of the late Malcolm D. Haven, founder of Coastal Community Foundation and the selfless man in which the prestigious award is named after.
Last Saturday in the midst of candlelight and decades worth of Foundation Presidents, Past Board Members, and donors the Coastal Community Foundation family learned who Tom Baker is and how he has helped affordable housing in the Charleston area.
Tom Baker, a professional architect, is a founding member of Lowcountry Housing Trust, a Charleston-based nonprofit whose mission is “to provide financing for the production and preservation of workforce and affordable housing, and actively encourages policies that reduce barriers to such production.”
Mr. Baker has also provided his architect and design services pro bono to East Cooper Habitat for Humanity and the Charleston Area Community Development Corporation.
Below are a few excerpts from the nomination packet that made the choice a unanimous one to select and recognize Tom Baker as the 28th inductee to the M.A.D. (movers and doers) group of the Foundation.
“For more than 20 years, in his quiet unassuming manner, Tom has made a tireless and sustained commitment to volunteering his services to provide residential designs and his technical expertise to both organizations and individuals in need.”
Michelle Mapp, Lowcountry Housing Trust
“Mr. Baker is a true servant in this community and has consistently worked to improve the condition of low and moderate income residents in the City of Charleston.”
Genoa Shaw Johnson, Department of Housing & Community Development
“Tom’s desire to help knows no bounds.”
Greg Thomas, East Cooper Habitat for Humanity
“We can think of no one more deserving of an award than Tom Baker, a man who gives of himself tirelessly and believes in giving back to the community.”
Lenora McKenna, Charleston Area Community Development Corporation
We applaud Mr. Baker and the work that he continues to do to inspire our community.
