VIDEO: 2017 Humanitarian Honoree Robin Whiting is Foster, Adoptive Mom with Big Heart
By Space Coast Daily // October 22, 2017
Brevard County’s first female firefighter
ABOVE VIDEO: Robin Whiting is a foster/adoptive mom with a big heart, whose public service career helped her find the children she loves so much. Her long service record started when she became Brevard County’s first female firefighter.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Robin Whiting is a foster/adoptive mom with a big heart, whose public service career helped her find the children she loves so much. Her long service record started when she became Brevard County’s first female firefighter.
Throughout her career, she has been an EMT and a NICU nurse. She also was instrumental in bringing a program to Brevard to help foster parents care for medically fragile children when Brevard’s Medical Foster Care program launched in 2004.
While serving as a Medical Foster Care coordinator, Robin met Robie, which led to her becoming a foster and adoptive parent for children with serious medical conditions. Robin’s story is how a remarkable family grew against all odds.
When Robie, was 11-months-old and very sick, she fell in love with him. Robin saw past his melancholy state to his true potential and knew in that very moment that she wanted to adopt him.
In less than a year, he had lived in 11 foster homes and was about to move again.
Robin arranged for Robie to be fostered by her best friend so that she could spend time with him during the adoption process.
Robie was officially adopted in 2005, but his future was still a bleak forecast.
Medical professionals told her that her son would never walk, talk, or truly thrive. They were wrong as Robie walks, talks, rides horses, swims, kayaks, and is the very picture of happiness.
Providing Unconditional Love
In the years since Robie’s adoption, Robin has adopted Robie’s sister Jenna, now 9, and another pair of siblings, Cayce and Tori both now age 9.
To ensure that her 2-year-old foster daughter Ana has a forever home, Robin adopted her in late 2016.
The little girl was only 45 days old when Robin began caring for her. In her short life, she has already been through three open-heart surgeries, now 3 years old she’s recovering well because she is a “tough cookie.”
Robin believes that people sometimes discount their ability to be a foster or adoptive parent. The only prerequisites she knows of are a good background check and the ability to provide children with unconditional love.
Whiting will be honored during the 2017 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards, which will take place Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com
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Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure
CENTRAL FLORIDA, USA – The 2017 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.
Also announced today was the honoree for the Lifetime Achievement.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created eight years ago by Space Coast Daily to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community.
TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved.
TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fund raising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.
All 2017 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2017 edition of Space Coast Daily magazine and online at SpaceCoastDaily.com. The magazine will be available the first week of October in both print and digital editions, which will also be available on SpaceCoastDaily.com.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers from Health First Hospice, the Dr. Jey Pillai Center for Hospice Care at Wasdin Woods, VITAS, Hospice of St. Francis, Health First Cape Canaveral Hospital, Health First Viera Hospital, Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center, Health First Palm Bay Hospital, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center.
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
ORGANIZATIONS
• BCSO Animal Services
• BCSO Honor Guard
• Brevard Guardian Ad Litem
• BIMDA
• Brevard C.A.R.E.S
• Driven by Heart (formerly Breast Friends)
• Genesis House
• Health First Foundation
• Space Coast Harley-Davidson
• Tess Brady and OASIS
• Total Home Roofing
INDIVIDUALS
• Rosette Brown
• Randy Coleman
• Bill Ellis
• Bjornar and Bjorg Hermansen
• Eugene Johnson
• Adrian Lafitte
• Dr. Romain Onteniente
• Valerie Paul
• Joan Throm
• Robin Whiting
• Steve Wilson
• The 2017 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Judge Dean Moxley.
HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM
“Over the years, our editorial team has had the distinct honor and pleasure of identifying and featuring the many members of our community who give back so much and are dedicated to reaching out and helping others, here and throughout the world, in a multitude of ways,” said Space Coast Daily Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“For the eight consecutive year, we will once again produce the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala on the first Thursday of November. This year, more than 30 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala.”
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will be part of “Space Coast Health Week,” a comprehensive series of health and educational events produced by Space Coast Daily.
JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by Florida Tech, Health First, SOAR, BioCellular Therapies, First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Brevard Geriatrics, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Rock Paper Simple, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, Friday Night Locker Room, Safari Mail House, Space Coast Daily magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com. Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe.
“We would like to thank our long list of sponsors who support the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards and who make this wonderful event possible,” said Giles Malone, a partner with Space Coast Daily and Brevard Productions, who annually produce all the events of Space Coast Medicine Week.
COMPELLING MULTIMEDIA TRIBUTE VIDEOS & STORIES
Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
“Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 2 to celebrate and be inspired by these incredible individuals and groups,” said Space Coast Daily President & Publisher Tom Palermo.
“In the meantime, please click the link below that showcases the distinguished Central Florida Humanitarian Alumni.”
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN ALUMNI
FOR MORE INFORMATION or to make a reservation to attend the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com
ABOVE MAP: The 2017 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.