October - December 2019

Herman Robinson, 71, is an earnest man of kindness and commitment. Throughout his life, in many ways, he has made a significant impact in the lives of others in Erie County. Herman was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, one of eight children. He grew up in the housing projects where he recalls, “We didn’t think of ourselves as poor. We were used to not having things and didn’t miss what we never had.” Herman observed, “There is a lot of passion and compassion living in the projects.” As he sees it, the passion is what creates the violence and the compassion is what creates the caring that also takes place within that community. While growing up he loved school and his teachers. He went to college on a football scholarship and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Knoxville College in 1971. He moved to Sandusky to work for Ford Motor Company in 1972, retiring in 2003. In 1988 he founded A Christian Organization for Right Now [ACORN’s] Ministries, where today he is actively engaged in his passion, mission, and charitable work. Herm spends his days giving to others, mentoring children and teens, recruiting volunteers to make blankets for those in need, and collecting donations for the “New Leather Shoes for Little Kids Program,” that provides leather shoes to students. Herman is a fun-loving, thoughtful man who generously gives of his time and resources to help others. He shares, “One day, a friend expressed genuine concern that I would burn out -- like a meteorite. He was worried that others were using me for my willingness to help. I responded, ‘I appreciate your concern, but if someone can’t use you – then you’re useless. That’s one thing I am not. I am not useless.” Herman believes people are destined to come into our lives. “Some are whole, some are broken, some unfulfilled, but all are significant,” he said. One summer when he worked at Castaway Bay’s gift shop, an autistic child, loud, animated and having difficulty making sentences, came in. “I could tell his Mom was prepared to be embarrassed. I assured her, ‘Ma’am, it’s OK. If you can’t have fun in here, where can you?’ The little guy came over and stood in front me. He wanted me to give him a high five. And I did. We connected.” In 1980, during a Ford layoff, he took a job working with kids at the Juvenile Detention Center. Herman values the reciprocity in giving to others. He recalls, “One snowy night, an abandoned 14-year-old boy named Eddie was brought in. We took an instant liking to each other. He came to me needing my help, but in the end, he was the one helping me. Eddie understood computers at a time when computers were new to the workplace. I had no interest in computers but he was insistent. So, I let him teach me. Guess what? When Ford called me back to work, my job required working with computers. Because of that young man, I impressed my supervisors with my computer skills.” Herman is quick to say he hasn’t done all this alone. He is grateful for the love and support of his wife, Jessie. In July, the Robinsons will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Herman hopes his legacy of caring inspires others to try to live bigger, and be more intentionally compassionate. Herman Robinson Finds Purpose in Compassion by Sue Daugherty 6 Serving Our Seniors 419-624-1856