ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County’s longtime sports ambassador Rusty Buchanan has been a driving force for his entire professional life, and has had a massive positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and adults through his sports events.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Humanitarianism takes on many forms, and the human interchange during sports often leads to dynamic, positive change and improved personal relationships within communities, locally and abroad.
Brevard County’s longtime sports ambassador Rusty Buchanan has been a driving force for this type of important activity for his entire professional life, and has had a massive positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and adults through his sports events.
“I’m so lucky and appreciative that I have been able to translate my love and passion for sports into creating and generating goodwill and enjoyment for people of all ages,” said Buchanan.
After a 36 year career as one of the most prolific producers of youth sports tournaments, camps, clinics and festivals in America, Buchanan is always quick to give other people the credit for the successful results derived.
“We have had such marvelous people to work with and Brevard is such a wonderful place that has enabled us to make the Space Coast a global destination for a wide variety of sports events.”
Over the past 35 years, the economic impact on Brevard from sports events operated by Buchanan have generated hundreds of millions of dollars, but the humanitarian benefits could be even greater.
For three decades, Buchanan has worked with local sports groups and county, city and school board staff to design ways to develop and enhance Brevard’s efforts to increase and improve local facilities to benefit all our children and stakeholders.
Prior to the 2012 London Olympic games the United States Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul Afghanistan put in place a plan to reach out to the children of war torn Afghanistan and attempt to find common ground for peace through sport.
General Allen, the commander of the ISAF troops and his chief of staff Admiral Hal Pittman along with our Ambassador to Afghanistan and General Aghbar the Chairman of the Afghan Olympic Committee developed a plan.
Eight Americans were tasked to carry out this Diplomatic Sports Mission, and Buchanan was one of our county’s representatives.
Humanitarianism takes on many forms, and the human interchange during sports often leads to dynamic, positive change and improved personal relationships within communities, locally and abroad.
HUMANITARIANISM OF SPORTS
In 2013, Buchanan was elected Vice President of the Amateur Athletic Union, the largest amateur athletic organization in the world, and traveled to Afghanistan on a U.S. Goodwill Tour to assist the Afghan government establish sports programs for the embattled country.
“It really sunk in when, upon arrival, we were taken to the soccer field on the grounds of the Olympic training facility,” said Buchanan.
“This was sacred ground, the very pitch is where the Taliban carried out public beheadings.”
Sports has long been medium of unity and a breeding ground for humanitarianism.
“Kids are kids around the world,” said Buchanan. “They want to play, they want to be a part of something, they want to compete and they want to win. Kids in Afghanistan are no exception.”
In 2009, Buchanan’s Olympic calling came full circle when he got a call from the Olympic committee for the Vancouver winter games.
They needed leaders to escort the athletes to events and other functions throughout the day. On the last day of the games, he was included in the participation medal awards given to all athletes.
“I finally got to be part of an Olympic games, but not as an athlete – but to support the games,” he said.
And that is the true character of this true humanitarian.
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
The 2016 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
CENTRAL FLORIDA, USA – The 2016 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. Information about the hospital and hospice volunteers will be released Oct. 1.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created seven 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.
The 2016 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 2016 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2016 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.
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
• 211 Brevard
• Advocates For Aging
• Rusty Buchanan
• Steve Bunker
• Cape Canaveral Ladies
• Stop the Bleed Team
• Junior League of South Brevard
• Space Coast Iceplex Disabled Sled Hockey
• AJ Hiers
• Sharon James
• Keep Brevard Beautiful
• Diane Killpartrick
• Janet Marks
• Paws and Stripes College
• Port Canaveral Commission
• Col. Danny McKnight
• Rolling Readers Space Coast
• Leo Roselip
• Space Coast Health Foundation
• Space Coast Paratroopers
• Central Florida Animal Refuge
• BCSO Chief Deputy Doug Waller
• Jarvis Wash
• Dr. Carlos Woodward
• The 2016 Central Florida Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement honoree is Bernie Simpkins.
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 Space Coast Daily Editor-In-Chief Dr. Jim Palermo.
“For the seventh 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 Medicine 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 Parrish Medical Center, SOAR, BioCellular Therapies, Brighthouse Networks, First Choice Medical Group, Clear Choice Health Care, Community Credit Union, Lake Nona Medical Arts, Brevard Geriatrics, Knudson Brain & Spine Law Injury Office, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Space Coast Daily 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 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.
Tom Palermo
“Please join us on Thursday, Nov. 3 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 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 2016 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards will take place Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, located at 200 Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
Brevard County’s longtime sports ambassador Rusty Buchanan has been a driving force for this type of important activity for his entire professional life, and has had a massive positive impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and adults through his sports events.
ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO BE HONORED INCLUDE:
