VIDEO: 2017 Humanitarian Honorees Bjornar & Bjorg Hermansen Championed Many Worthy Causes
By Maria Sonnenberg // October 19, 2017
Hermansen's Hacienda del Sol Became the Go-To Estate for Brevard County Nonprofits
ABOVE VIDEO: Bjornar and Bjorg Hermansen, the perfect power couple, both had hearts as big as the ocean that brought them to Brevard County in 1983, when Bjornar Hermansen launched a cruise line that change the way the world viewed the industry.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – He shaped the cruise ship industry. She shaped the charities of Brevard County. Bjornar and Bjorg Hermansen, the perfect power couple, both had hearts as big as the ocean that brought them to Brevard County in 1983, when Bjornar Hermansen launched a cruise line that change the way the world viewed the industry.
Hermansen launched the new era of cruising from Port Canaveral in 1984, when he and business partner Bruce Nierenberg began Premier Cruise Lines.
Premier turned Port Canaveral into the second largest port in the world for embarking cruise passengers and also transformed cruising into a family affair, not just a pastime for retirees.
The brilliant businessman and his beloved wife were also caring philanthropists who involved themselves in a variety of charitable pursuits from the moment they moved to Brevard.
Named the 2009 Citizens of the Year by Florida Today, the Hermansens both originally hailed from Norway, but Brevard was as beloved. They divided their time between their storied Hacienda del Sol estate in Merritt Island and the family home near Oslo, Norway.
Hacienda del Sol became the go-to estate for local nonprofits that needed to raise significant funds for their many causes. The legendary fetes at Hacienda raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Brevard charities.
“Their home was always a place where wonderful things happened for the community,” said community leader Darcia Jones-Francey.
Related Story:VIDEO: 2017 Humanitarian Honoree Steve Wilson Gives Teen Cancer Patient Love, Hope, Courage
Championed Many Worthy Causes
Among the organizations the Hermansens championed were the Haven for Children, AMI Kids, Junior Achievement of the Space Coast, Doctors Without Borders, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Zoo, the Foosaner Art Museum and Florida Tech through the establishment of the Paul Hermansen Scholarship Fund, in memory of their son, who died in 1996.
They died much too young and within months of each other, but in Brevard County, the Hermansens’ legacy of achievement and compassion will be remembered forever.
The Hermansens will be honored in memoriam 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
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
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.
