By Scott Brinton and Jennifer La Lima
Unable to take part in sports or play around the way other children did, Danny was alone much of the time as a kid. His childhood experiences could have embittered him. They didn't. Instead, they gave him an immense ability to empathize with disabled children. And he has dedicated much of his adulthood to bettering the lives of kids with special needs.
Robinson, who now makes his home in Seaford, has raised thousands of dollars for such organizations as the American Association for the Help of Retarded Children, Children with Developmental Disabilities and the Association for Children with Down Syndrome. At the same time, he is an accordion player who uses his musical talents to entertain children at schools for the disabled, often throwing pizza parties for as many as 300 kids.
We can only say, Danny Robinson, you are our hero. And you're the Herald's Person of the Year for 2005.
Since 1995, Robinson has driven a Town of Hempstead bus for the Bellmore Senior Center. He's well loved at the center, and he loves his job. But his heart always lies with the children.
He's incredibly popular at the Rosemary Kennedy School for children with developmental delays in Wantagh. He started volunteering there a decade ago. The teachers love him. Special-education teacher Ann Dillon, who's taught at Rosemary Kennedy for 16 years, says, "Everybody knows Danny. When Danny first called over 10 years ago and said he wanted to play his accordion, I wasn't sure what to expect. And now 10 years later, the kids still ask for him all the time."
Hundreds of kids attend Danny's parties. The children dance around Danny as he plays away. Dillon says, "For one man to sit there playing the accordion while 300 kids dance around the room and all around him, he's just wonderful. They love Danny, and they love when he plays his accordion."
For his volunteerism, the Rosemary Kennedy School honored Robinson with its Advocacy Award.
He also helped start the Bellmore Knights of Columbus's annual spaghetti-and-meatballs dinner for special-needs children. More than 200 kids turned out for this year's dinner, held in November.
Linda Sperber, head of the Nassau County Association for Children with Down Syndrome, says Robinson has an enormous ability to raise money for organizations such as hers because of his outgoing, yet humble nature. "He certainly is a man who does not like any accolades for himself," Sperber says. "He has a very big heart. He is very driven and persistent. Whatever he undertakes, he gets down quickly and well. He is able to tap into resources in the community that other people don't always go for. Many people only go for the big corporations. He is really down to earth. He surrounds himself with people of all walks of life."
Every year, Robinson organizes a party to benefit people with Down syndrome. It's held at any number of places, including the Suburban Temple of Wantagh. This year's bash raised $19,000.
Jim McKail, a friend of Robinson's who has three children with Down syndrome, says, "Danny has a heart the size of a house. He is a terrific guy. We have been friends for years."
Robinson helps the Fraternal Order of Police and Emerald Society organize parties for children in need. He takes part in the Association for Children with Down Syndrome's annual fund-raiser in October. At Christmas, he gathers and donates toys to the ACDS. He works with fire departments to organize fund-raisers for the ACDS and the Associations for the Help of Retarded Children. He also works with the North Bellmore American Legion. And the list goes on.
"Just to see the smiles on the faces of these kids makes me forget about the aches and pains I have," Robinson says.
Hilda Robinson, Danny's mother, says of her son, "He's the best kid in the whole world. He's tops. Everybody loves Danny. His whole life is doing things for other people."
Indeed it is. For all he does for children in need, the Herald proudly names Danny Robinson its Person of the Year for 2005.
Comments about this story? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
