Tom Francis, July 2009 Habitat Hero

Tom Francis and Jeff Capps, Habitat's former director of community relations, announce the trophy winners at the 2008 Exotic Italian Car Show.

Q & A with Habitat Hero Tom Francis

1. How long have you lived in Memphis? 41 years

2. How long have you volunteered with Habitat? Seven years

3. How did you get involved with Habitat? Our club was looking for a charity that we could support. We were approached by Alex Eilers and asked to consider doing our show for Habitat. Many of our members had done work in the past for Habitat and felt it was a worthy cause. I began working with Habitat in 2003 putting the ground work together for a great show.

4. What kind of activities have you participated in during your time as a volunteer? My main focus has been with the car show, but I've also attend the Tool Box Bash.

5. Why do you volunteer your time with Habitat? I volunteer my time with Habitat because I want to make a difference in this community. I want to feel that this work is giving people opportunities for a better life. I believe God is working through me to help fullfill the mission of Habitat. I feel that building a stronger community strengthens us all.

6. Do you have a favorite Habitat moment you would like to share? I remember attending a Habitat party and meeting a woman and her kids that were new home owners of a Habitat house. They were so grateful, and even though I had never met them before, I could tell it had changed their lives for the better. The woman had a bright radiant shine on her face that expressed hope, joy and peace. I'll never forget that.

7. Do you have any personal details you'd like to add? I work for Medtronic Spinal & Biologics. My wife Kelly and I have one 7 yr old girl, Reilly. In my free time I mostly like doing things with my family, but I also like working on our house and going on Ferrari drives.