YMCA of Greater Miami
Paying it Forward
The Daniel L. Baker Story
YMCA Connection - March 2010
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Dan Baker and colleagues enjoy making arts and crafts with the children of Holmes Elementary School in Miami. Baker's generous $25,000 donation helped keep this program running, and these children safe, learning and having fun during after school hours.
Dan Baker interacts with the children of Holmes Elementary.
      Growing up with humble means in Oxford, Ohio, Daniel L. Baker, President and CEO of Baker Concrete Construction, Inc. (shown to the right), learned the meaning of hard work early on.  At 15, after hunting and trapping with his brothers to help feed his family for several years, Dan began working side by side with his grandfather, Elmer Baker, in residential masonry, both after school and during summers.
       Elmer bestowed four basic, yet crucial, principles of business upon his grandson: always take care of employees as if they were family, take care of the customer at all times, take care of quality even if it costs more, and always stay on top of costs.  With these essentials nestled firmly under his arm, Dan went into business for himself at the tender age of 20, bringing his brothers along for the ride.   
      Through solid work and dedication, and over the course of the years, Dan established hubs in Houston, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver and Miami, while continuously diversifying the business and entering new markets.  Today, Baker Concrete Construction, Inc. has seven offices in the United States and the Caribbean, and is made up of over 4,000 employees. 
      As a valued supporter of the YMCA of Greater Miami, Dan continues to "role his sleeves up" today.  Dan and Baker Concrete Construction, Inc. became involved with the YMCA of Greater Miami in 2008, serving as one of several invaluable sponsors for the YMCA's annual fundraising Gala, and contributing a generous $25,000 to the Strong Kids Campaign.  These funds help ensure that no child is ever turned away from participating in an enriching YMCA program due to an inability to pay. 
       In 2009, Baker exhibited continued commitment to the YMCA of Greater Miami's mission by participating in our Adopt-a-School Campaign and adopting the Afterschool Program at Holmes Elementary in Miami.  Baker's $25,000 pledge was used to provide quality Afterschool programming to 140 children.  During a visit to the school,  the children expressed a warm sentiment of appreciation through a thank you song.  Later, the group participated hands-on in the children's daily activities, allowing  Baker and his colleagues to see the direct impact of their involvement.
       Through his own inspiring experience, moving from farm boy to self-made entrepreneur, Baker knows that one can achieve great success from humble beginnings with guidance, hard work and faith.  By becoming involved with the YMCA of Greater Miami, Baker is allowing children in our community to flourish as he did, and lead successful and fulfilling lives.  We thank Baker and the rest of our incredibly valuable donors for making the work of the YMCA possible in this community each day.


Please help other children in Miami-Dade have the same opportunities by giving to the
YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign, and
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YMCA of Greater Miami Mission: to put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

YMCA of Greater Miami Vision: to grow to serve 1 in 10 people in Miami-Dade.

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