When not acting in a film, a television show or sharing concerts filled with Appalachian music and comedy, actor/entertainer Randall Franks gives his time to helping others.
“From my earliest memories, my parents gave their time to reach out and help others pull themselves up from challenging circumstances,” Franks said. “That same spirit of improving opportunities for others is the benchmark I use for my daily life.”
Photo: Randall Franks (second from left) joins Boynton Lions of Ringgold members in its eyeglass recycling effort.
The former NBC and CBS actor returns home from filming his role in the upcoming film “The Crickets Dance,” but is he off to a celebrity party or a movie premiere? No, on a Tuesday evening, he is sitting around a table with his fellow Boynton Lions of Ringgold members discussing how to raise additional funds to put more glasses on needy neighbors and planning a special community Christmas film event to raise awareness about Lionism and increase membership. A few days later at 7 a.m., Randall sits down for breakfast with the Ringgold Kiwanis where a couple mention seeing him as “Officer Randy Goode” on “In the Heat of the Night” the day before. He is there to speak about a special Northwest Georgia Joint Economic Development Authority effort to draw film and television projects to his region.
Whether serving to assist his home community of Catoosa County in Georgia and its residents through special projects of civic clubs, his church, or serving with or founding non-profits to help encourage opportunities for youths and families, Franks finds his bliss in making a difference.
Another Tuesday night finds him gathering with yet another charity as the local Habitat for Humanity of Catoosa County board plans their upcoming house build. On Wednesday close to lunch, Franks sits down with members of the Catoosa Citizens for Literacy who assist local residents in achieving their G.E.D. and offers special projects to increase family literacy. That afternoon, he then fields calls to help promote the Share America Foundation’s latest fundraising effort to help Appalachian youth with scholarships.
“From food for the needy through Nourishing Children In Catoosa, the Catoosa County Homelessness Committee, Imagination Library for kids, or the safety of our community through the Local Emergency Planning Committee, the people I have been blessed to serve alongside impact the lives of so many,” Franks said. “That is what my parents instilled in me, service to others is all we have to give.”
Photo: Randall Franks (second from left) receives the Georgia Municipal Association Certificate of Distinction.
The depth of his charitable efforts garnered the attention of Georgia’s former Governor Nathan Deal when he recognized him for making a difference in the lives of Georgians commending him as a “model citizen” whose altruism, righteousness, patriotism, goodwill and Commitment to the Golden Rule greatly benefit his home state and community. He also received the Kiwanis International Distinguished Service Award.
One of the biggest humanitarian efforts came in 2011, when his hometown was devastated by a tornado hitting hundreds of homes and businesses. Franks stepped up and served as the Joint Public Information Officer and Coordinator of Volunteers. He brought together a board to form a new non-profit Catoosa Organization Acting in Disaster which responded to the tragedy helping rebuild and repair the homes of the under and non-insured. In addition to his day-to-day efforts to meet the daily needs of his neighbors, he helped the organization raise over 1.3 million for the efforts.
“While I never desire to see such a tragedy again, I hope I never lose in my heart the spirit of community, dedication and earnest service to others that I saw shared during that period,” he said. “It re-enforced my faith in the innate goodness of people, and how even someone who lost everything will seek to help others,” he said.
He said these opportunities to serve during the crisis came open to Franks because he chose even another path of public service to his community in 2009, when he ran for the Ringgold City Council allowing him the opportunity to train and prepare.
“I cannot believe ten years has passed since I first ran for office,” he said. “Working with my fellow councilmembers, we have accomplished so much, improved parks, recreation and public areas, better roads, an economic development resurgence, adding better paying jobs and turning around downward trends in our historic shopping, commercial and industrial opportunity districts. I have also been able to work along side some amazing staff and volunteers to produce numerous events to build upon our community spirit.”
Photo: Randall Franks and Share America Scholar Trevor Holder rehearse backstage at the Smith Charitable Endowment Smith and Wesley and Friends concert in Ringgold, Ga. (Share America Foundtion)
No matter its focus, the 2019 Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame inductee said opportunities to serve energize him and help to illuminate what he shares in his performances.
“Opportunities to perform as an actor, musician or comedian allow me to uplift those who see a role, or hear the music or joke,” he said. “In a way, the people whose experiences I share and have the opportunity to see their lives improved through all these wonderful organizations only add to my ability to uplift audiences and share that we are all here to encourage others and make a difference.”
Franks has scored two # 1 AirPlay Direct Global Albums in 2019 including the charity releases “Americana Youth of Southern Appalachia” and “In the Heat of the Night’a Christmas Time’s A Comin'”. Radio may find all his music links at his AirPlay Direct Music Page: AirPlayDirect.com/RandallFranks
For more information about Randall Franks, visit http://randallfranks.com/.
Find the Encouragers book series and recent recordings here http://www.randallfranks.com/store/ or on https://www.amazon.com/Randall-Franks/e/B00K9XIDN4
Donations to the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship may be made at www.ShareAmericaFoundation.org.
Fans may download much of his music at www.nimbitmusic.com/randallfranks.
Media Contact
Company Name: Entertainment Management Consultants
Contact Person: A. Publicity
Email: Send Email
Phone: (706) 963-0016
Address:P.O. Box 42
City: Tunnel Hill
State: GA
Country: United States
Website: http://randallfranks.com/