ABOVE VIDEO: Name almost any organization in the county and you can bet that John Harper, the “Voice of Brevard,” has helped them get their message to the community.
Name almost any organization in the county and you can bet that John Harper, the “Voice of Brevard,” has helped them get their message to the community.
Through generous use of air time at Harper’s WMEL 1060 radio station, the veteran broadcaster has publicized countless fund and awareness-raising events critical for the future of Brevard’s many charitable groups.
“There are so many good organizations out there,” said Harper.
“I want to help all of them, but it is impossible to be personally involved with all them, but through the radio station, I can be involved with so many of them. We’ve done thousands of public service announcements and free interviews. We’re happy, willing and able to help.”
Beyond the air waves, Harper also devotes personal time to several charities in the area.
Dear to his heart is the Make-a-Wish Foundation, which he helped to launch in South Florida while serving as on-air talent at Miami radio stations. Make-a-Wish serves a unique and vital role in empowering children battling life-threatening conditions.
While some people prefer to focus on a specific type of charity, Harper goes across the board in his interests.
DEDICATED TO SENIORS
Harper is also currently vice-president of Helping Seniors of Brevard, a group that works to ensure that all of Brevard’s 120,000 individuals 65 and older are connected with the information and services they need.
From 1995 to 2015, Harper was on the board of Yellow Umbrella, Brevard’s oldest nationally accredited family support and child abuse prevention center.
He is also a past board member of the Brevard Art Museum, now Florida Tech’s Foosaner Museum, and patron of the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard Foundation.
This year has proven a great year for Harper, who earlier this year acquired Genesis radio’s 1060 AM to boost WMEL’s signal from 5,000 to 50,000 megawatts, expanding the station’s reach from Daytona Beach and Orlando to the Palm Beaches.
“We have a huge potential of over four million listeners,” said Harper. “We’re also looking to expand even further with more radio stations in our portfolio.”
NO PLANS TO SLOW DOWN
Nonprofits beyond Brevard have already starting reaching out to Harper for help, and he has been happy to oblige.
JOHN HARPER, above with Central Florida Humanitarian Marta Fiol, is a patron of the Cancer Care Centers of Brevard Foundation.
Area charities need not worry that Harper won’t be there for them in the future.
Although he has more than half a century of radio broadcasting under his belt, Harper has no plans to slow down.
In fact, when asked about retirement, he just laughs.
“I’m going stronger than ever,” he said.
ABOUT THE 2015 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS
The 2015 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.
Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created six years ago by Maverick Multimedia, publisher of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and 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.
The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities. All Humanitarian alumni are presented a specially commissioned medallion.
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 2015 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2015 edition of Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Sponsors
The first Gala was held in 2010 and is produced by Brevard Productions.
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
• Brevard Family Partnership
• Brevard Neighborhood Coalition
• Brevard Special Olympics – Debbie Spence
• Lila Buescher
• Canine Companions for Independence
• Childrens Hunger Project
• Circles of Care
• Ginger Davis
• Cove Merchants Association
• Dr. Brian Dowdell
• Early Learning Coalition of Brevard
• Betsy Farmer
• Darcia Jones-Francey
• Harris Corp. Foundation
• Malak Hammad
• John & Cynthia Handley
• John Harper
• Mike & Stephanie Haridopolos
• Sheriff Wayne Ivey
• Robert Jordan
• Dr. John Lovejoy Jr. & Dr. John Lovejoy III
• Victor Luebker
• Rita Pritchett
• David Schmitt
• Oscar & Turney Sieveking
• The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Dr. Anthony Catanese.
HONORING SELFLESS VOLUNTEERISM
As always, 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 FirstPalm Bay Hospital, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center.
Dr. Jim Palermo
“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 Maverick Multimedia Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“For the sixth consecutive year, we will once again produce the Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala on the first Thursday of November. This year, more than 42 deserving humanitarians will be honored during the Gala.”
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will be part of Space Coast Medicine Week, a comprehensive series of health and educational events produced by Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and Space Coast Daily.
JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by M.H. Williams Construction, Parrish Medical Center, SOAR, Brighthouse Networks, Wuesthoff Health System, First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Florida Pain Institute, Brevard Geriatrics, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine and SpaceCoastDaily.com. Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe.
Giles Malone
“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 Maverick Multimedia and Brevard Productions, who annually produce all the events of Space Coast Medicine Week.
COMPELLING MULTIMEDIA TRIBUTE VIDEOS & STORIES
Stay tuned to SpaceCoastDaily.com and Space Coast Medicine & Active Living magazine for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
Tom Palermo
“Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 5 to celebrate and be inspired by these incredible individuals and groups,” said Maverick Multimedia President & Publisher Tom Palermo.
“In the meantime, please click the link below that showcases the distinguished Central Florida Humanitarian Alumni.”
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-mailMaverickMultiMedia@gmail.com
ABOVE MAP:The 2015 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
Through generous use of air time at Harper’s WMEL 1060 radio station, the veteran broadcaster has publicized countless fund and awareness-raising events critical for the future of Brevard’s many charitable groups.
