Last week, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area (BGCAA) and the entire Central Texas community suffered a great loss when Allison Baker – who spent many years serving thousands of BGCAA kids – died unexpectedly Thursday morning, August 8, after being struck by a vehicle in her neighborhood. 

Baker was a passionate and generous leader, volunteer and donor for BGCAA, faithfully serving the organization in countless ways. In 2007, she founded Cattlemen Care, an organization dedicated to improving food access by coordinating beef donations from ranchers and managing processing and delivery to Austinites in need – working closely with the Boys & Girls Club staff to distribute meals to Club kids and their families. Because of her tireless efforts to alleviate hunger in our community, Recognize Good – an entity that champions good work and giving back through advice, grants and advocacy – honored Baker in 2014 for donating more than 92,000 meals to underprivileged residents in Central Texas. 

Year after year, Baker donated beef, cooked and delivered meals – often arriving at BGC Club kitchens as early as 6:30 a.m. to do so. She was also instrumental in organizing BGCAA’s National Day for Kids each September, recruiting over 1,000 Austin High athletes and leadership students to volunteer at the event.  

BGCAA CEO Zenae Campbell honored Baker and her indelible impact on the BGCAA family with the following statement: 

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our dear friend Allison Baker. She was a compassionate and generous servant leader who devoted her life to giving back to the Austin community and BGCAA. Allison always went the extra mile to ensure local youth had food on their plates as well as opportunities to grow and lead. We are grieved to lose her, and we extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. As we mourn, we remember Allison’s passion for giving back and the powerful impact she had on BGCAA staff and kids – and we honor the inspiring legacy she leaves behind. Allison’s life is proof that one caring citizen can make all the difference.” 

For all staff affected by Baker’s passing, BGCAA is providing access to mental health professionals and resources internally.