Champions of the Family
Bob and Lynette Gay
Bob and Lynette Gay
By Dennis Durband
UFI's Director of Publications
Complete strangers walk up to Chris Gay and tell him how much his parents have positively impacted their lives. People from all walks of life including radio talk show hosts, and politicians count themselves among those who have come to respect and admire our UFI Champions of the Family, Bob and Lynette Gay.
Bob Gay, an extremely successful businessman, worked with Mitt Romney in a successful business venture, Bain Capitol. Mitt Romney, went on to win the governor's election in Massachusetts in 2002.
Governor Romney provided UFI with his perspective on the Gays: "Bob and Lynette Gay's embrace has always been large enough not only for their own children, but for children of their community and the world. Their generosity of spirit extends from civic to religious to family. Bob and Lynette's example is a model for families everywhere."
Like Governor Romney, the friends of the Gays' children saw the same attributes in Mom and Dad Gay. "My friends have noticed my parents," said their 29-year-old son Chris. "They've told me how nice my mom is and said she makes people feel comfortable. Mom has a big heart. My parents' example has been huge for my brothers and sisters and I. They are amazing people." Chris is the oldest of the seven children, including his brothers Jon, Dan, and Kyle, and his sisters Summer, Melissa, and Lara.
Chris recalls, "We got together as a family once a week, usually on Monday or Tuesday, for a family home evening. We shared stories and read scriptures. Mom and Dad gave us advice about families. They always picked stories of daily life and challenges. We didn't always want to do it, but it was a good thing. They put reminders around the house and on the refrigerator about being nice to people."
About 10 years ago, Lynette Gay and Carolyn Dailey started the humanitarian organization "Engage Now." The organization's first efforts came in Mexico. In 2000, the Gay family sacrificed Christmas at home in Connecticut and went to Ethiopia. Engage Now teams have made trips into African villages and worked with the residents to improve the residents' health, nutrition, and hygiene. They build water wells and help villages use the water to grow vegetables, and they teach AIDS prevention. In short, the Gays and their friends work to empower others to improve their lives and living conditions. According to Chris Gay, "Mom makes time available for people with challenges. People are blown away with my parents' generosity. They listen to people, give advice and help people. It is definitely inspiring."
Bob and Lynette were introduced to UFI by Danny Ainge, president of the Boston Celtics basketball franchise. They were concerned about the rapid disintegration of the family worldwide and wanted to support an organization they viewed as making a difference for the family. Lynette saw UFI's Stay Alive HIV/AIDS prevention program as a great tool to use in Ethiopia. She was soon appointed International Director of Stay Alive.
In 2003, the Gays helped UFI secure talk show host Sean Hannity as a keynote speaker for the Defend Marriage and Family Conference. Hannity said, "The warmth, wisdom and compassion of Bob and Lynette Gay are a rare find. I have had the privilege of spending hours with them as we traveled together, and I am exceedingly grateful for the impact they have made on my life--and millions of others. Our self-centered culture could learn much from the generous and sacrificial lives which Bob and Lynette lead. They are true champions!"
UFI President Sharon Slater agrees with Hannity. "Bob and Lynette have dedicated their lives to helping the unfortunate and they make many personal sacrifices to do so," she said. "They lead excursions to remote villages in Ethiopia, where entire tribes are starving, and bring food and much-needed medical supplies. Then they teach the people how to improve their situations and help themselves.
"As the International Director for the UFI Stay Alive program, Lynette has been instrumental in helping United Families International implement the program in Africa. However, the most wonderful thing about Bob and Lynette is that they are such down-to-earth people. They are people of means, and they are also people of great generosity and humility."
The Gays recently began a three-year mission in Acra, Ghana, where they don't have all the comforts of home. Lynette and Dan have had serious bouts with malaria in recent years, and it would have been easy to have left Africa behind. But that is not what the Gays are all about.
Chris Gay says, "My dad turned down some huge contracts to go to Africa. He worked his whole life to get where he is and when he got there he went over to Africa. You see the choices they made, and it makes you want to do as good as them."
Bob and Lynette Gay consistently make sacrifices so they can help others. In modeling selfless service and sacrifice, the Gays are true Champions of the Family.
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