05/22/2026
Forty years ago, Bob Raiche had a belief. He believed you could not really know someone until you were on the life raft with them. He built an organization around that idea. And somewhere along the way, Karen Babin climbed on the raft with him.
That was over thirty years ago. Karen has not stopped rowing since.
A 40th anniversary is a moment to pause and look back at the people who made it possible. FFI did not get here on its own. It got here because of individuals who showed up, stayed, and kept going. Karen is one of those people.
As we mark this milestone, we want to recognize what Karen has actually done. Not in broad strokes, but specifically. She built relationships in Cambridge, Saratoga Springs, and New Orleans. She did that through her own networks, her Rotary connections, and her refusal to let distance or logistics be reasons to stop. Young people from Northern Ireland and communities across the world came through those programs because of her. Hundreds of youth experienced something that changed them. The families, teachers, and neighbors touched by those young people bring that number into the thousands.
Karen served on our board alongside Bob. She traveled to Northern Ireland to celebrate the milestones of a program he was deeply committed to. And still today, she is making our Gulf Coast alumni program a reality.
In recognition of everything above, we are honored to present Karen with the Bob Raiche Life Raft Award. This award exists because of one simple truth: some people show up when it matters. Karen has shown up for over three decades. Bob knew that about her. We know that about her.
Thank you, Karen. For being on the raft. Congratulations on the 2026 Bob Raiche Life Raft Award!
Watch some of the many alumni that Karen has impacted share their congratulations: https://youtu.be/l9WhhPG6uvg
