VIDEO: Col. Danny McKnight Is Natural Born Leader, Supports Many Worthy Causes

By  //  November 9, 2016

CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS

ABOVE VIDEO: Colonel Danny R. McKnight U.S. Army (Ret.) epitomizes the word “leader.” In fact, McKnight is what one might call a natural born leader.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Colonel Danny R. McKnight U.S. Army (Ret.) epitomizes the word “leader.” In fact, McKnight is what one might call a natural born leader.

mcknight-danny-poster-580-1Whether he was leading his teammates at Cocoa High School on the football field, or leading his men in combat in Somalia in 1993, into what is now known as Black Hawk Down, McKnight was always at the front. It is this type of leadership that has made McKnight a very special individual.

McKnight is a pillar in the community, and gives of his money and time freely. He will speak with any school group, at any time, at no charge.

In March 2014, he and his wife, Linda, sponsored and paid for a Space Coast Honor Flight (approximately $25,000) to take World War II and Korean War veterans to visit their War Memorials in Washington, D.C. He has also gone on an Honor Flight each of the last three years.

McKnight is, and has been, a national spokesperson for Operation Safety 91 for six years. The organization’s mission is twofold.

First, to instill across America an appreciation and commitment to honor our current and retired First Responders, Firefighters and EMS Personnel, Police and Law Enforcement, and Military; and secondly, to provide free-of-charge, a pocket-size Psalm 91 Card, which has countless proven testimonies to First Responders and their Chaplains who request them.

In addition, McKnight is spokesperson for Veterans Count, a division of Easter Seals in Portsmouth, NH. Veterans Count is a charity and assistance program for veterans and military. McKnight also mentors and counsels numerous wounded veterans around the country.

For the past nine years, he and his wife have been sponsors of Tim Wakefield’s event to support Space Coast Early Intervention Center in Palm Bay.

As sponsors of multiple charity golf tournaments each year, the McKnights support a variety of causes in the community.

They are also active members of First Baptist Church in Cocoa, where they serve as ushers, and McKnight has helped establish the security group at the church. He is also a member of the Police Chief’s Association of Brevard County.

RAISING FUNDS FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER

Instrumental in helping to raise funds for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which raises funds for pediatric cancer research, McKnight has given of his time and money, having participated as a speaker at multiple events, and, at his own expense, has even brought in individuals to help with these efforts.

McKnight is now a full time motivational speaker, having spoken in all 50 states, all provinces of Canada, and Puerto Rico.

He is married to his beautiful wife, Linda, has two daughters, Pam and Robin, and two step-children, Katie and Tim, as well as five grandchildren, Dylan, Jared, Macen, Olivia and Avery, all of whom live in Brevard County.

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.
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.

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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.

humanitrians-sponsors-330-1ORGANIZATIONS 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 First Palm Bay Hospital, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Melbourne, Wuesthoff Medical Center – Rockledge, the VA Clinic in Viera, and Sebastian River Medical Center. 

Dr. Jim Palermo
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.

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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
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

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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.

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