Enough already with the stressful and depressing news. It’s time again to celebrate some of the smart, generous and creative people who make Central Florida so special. Readers nominated nearly 100 good-hearted souls for the 10th annual installment of “10 People Who Make Orlando a Better Place to Live.” This year’s honorees include people who work throughout the region with kids, families in crisis and those with disabilities. Also several philanthropists, one biologist, three dynamic duos and the first-ever group entry. So let’s get started.
Heather Subbert, founder of Kairos Adventures. (Rachel Minnear)
Heather Subbert, CEO of Kairos Adventures
A few years ago, Subbert noticed a dearth of recreational opportunities for those with developmental disabilities. So, inspired by the Greek word Kairos, which means “time for action,” she decided to do something about it. Subbert set up a small arts program at her church that has since expanded to three cities, offering everything from performing and visual arts to martial and culinary arts in Orlando, Sanford and Altamonte Springs. “Artists,” as the participants are called, put on a play every December and also serve others. One mother said that, even when her daughter demonstrates challenging behavioral issues, Subbert responds with a smile. “She consoles them when needed and makes them feel special. Then they go to visit the homebound and make them feel just as special.”
Jim Peterson (Oakland Nature Preserve)
Jim Peterson, biologist with the St. Johns River Water Management District
A few decades ago, it was hard to envision a day where Lake Apopka would ever be clean again. The body of water, once a destination for fishing and recreation, had turned into one of the filthiest in Florida. The Orlando Sentinel described it as “an environmental abyss.” But the dedicated stewards with the Friends of Lake Apopka never gave up. And they got big help from Peterson, a biologist with the St Johns River Water Management District who worked on the effort for three decades. One nominator said he represents a public servant in the best possible way: “While Jim did not single-handedly save Lake Apopka, it would not have recovered so dramatically without him. He is truly an environmental hero.”
Tom and Sally Moore (Courtesy Sarah Moore Asma)
Thomas and Sally Moore, founders of Big Nova Foundation in Sanford
The Moores have always been involved in philanthropy around Seminole County. But after they sold their successful roofing and fertilizer business, they decided to create the Big Nova Foundation to put their altruism on steroids. Their contributions have helped everything from environmental causes to afterschool programs for underserved teens. Last year, a $300,000 donation from Big Nova pretty much single-handedly saved SALT, a great nonprofit that helps homeless families with immediate needs, like showers and laundry services, as well as long-term solutions, such as job leads and permanent housing. “Their family is all involved,” said one nominator, who stressed that the Moores do all this work and “humbly stay in the background.”
Judith Smelser and Megan Stokes (Orlando Sentinel file and courtesy Megan Stokes)
Judith Smelser and Megan Stokes, News Collaborative of Central Florida
At a time when more people are getting their “news” from tweets and social-media influencers, real journalism is as important as ever. Yet, with local newsrooms shrinking, most are stretched thin. So Smelser, the president and general manager of Central Florida Public Media, and Stokes, editor-in-chief of the Oviedo Community News, came up with an idea: Get local news groups that normally compete against each other to work together on important stories that affect us all. The unprecedented collaboration involves 10 different news orgs, including the Orlando Sentinel, local TV stations and hyperlocal community news sites. They team up to cover community-wide issues like homelessness, and then share the combined reporting efforts with their respective readers, listeners and viewers. “Their work is significant,” said one nominator. “And working together, we are all stronger.”
Kirt and Maxine Earhart of Maxine’s on Shine. (Photo courtesy Maxine’s on Shine)
Kirt and Maxine Earhart, owners of Maxine’s on Shine
This culinary couple received as many nominations as anyone on this year’s list with many fans saying they epitomize the kind of small businesses that help make a community truly feel like a community. Their neighborhood restaurant just east of downtown Orlando is tucked in a residential neighborhood that features sidewalk dining and gives local artists opportunities to shine. They’re both involved in many philanthropic affairs and have been advocates for other small businesses as well. To top it all off, their food is Michelin Guide recognized with one nominator describing Maxine’s as “one of those brilliant local gems that every city should be proud to have.”
Alison Spalding (Courtesy Jeanie Morales)
Alison Spalding, CEO of Fostering Kindness
Many people say they wish the world was a kinder place. Spalding, though, decided to do more than wish. She made it her life’s mission, specifically for foster kids. Spalding’s nonprofit tries to fill in the gaps of the foster-system bureaucracy with everything from “comfort bags” for kids who would otherwise show up to new homes with nothing to birthday parties for kids in group homes, some of whom have never before had a party thrown in their honor. This simple but meaningful idea has grown into an organization that serves about 1,000 kids a year, leading to, as one of her fans said, “smiling children, better opportunities and stronger families.”
Athea Blake, crisis services specialist, Heart of Florida United Way’s 211 help line. (Heart of Florida United Way)
Athea Blake, Heart of Florida United Way crisis specialist for 211 hotline
“Athea literally saves lives every night she works.” Those are the words of one of her colleagues at the crisis center that fields calls from people who are desperate or even contemplating suicide. Not everyone has the mettle to do this job. But Blake is calm, caring and resilient. She started her career in social work providing meals to the elderly and is now a supervisor at the regional hotline. Sometimes Blake connects struggling families with programs that can help get their lives back on track. Sometimes, she just provides an empathetic ear to mom who’s at wit’s end. Always, her colleague said, she does so with grace.
Anna Wilson, Manager, Healthy Families Orange and Osceola
(Orlando Health)
Anna Wilson, manager, Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families’ Healthy Families initiative
Not every new mother is gifted a copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” or even has a good role model for parenting. That’s where Wilson and her team of 200 social workers and front-line workers come in. They seek out uninsured and underprivileged families and offer everything from advice on potty-training to guidance on how parents living in poverty might break that cycle. This is all about preventing problems before they happen. And Wilson and her team do it every day, even when its 100 degrees and when they’re visiting homes without A/C or even furniture. “The emotional labor of the job is depleting; yet Anna inspires her team year after year,” said her nominator. “What they teach parents has proven to end cycles of abuse and neglect … and will benefit the citizens of Orange and Osceola Counties for generations to come.”
Leaguers as sufferattes at Dr. Phillips Center. (Carol Wonsavage/League of Women Voters)
League of Women Voters of Orange County
Historically, I’ve avoided putting groups on this list meant to honor individuals. But so many people have nominated different League leaders throughout the years that I decided it was time to make an exception. This local league, currently led by co-presidents Jane Hursh and Kathy Schmitz, is one of the biggest and most active in the nation. And it personifies civic activism, hosting candidate forums and panels on topics ranging from the public education and gun violence to gerrymandering and the environment. Basically, they empower people who want to make a difference in their communities and hold elected officials accountable. In fact, whenever a frustrated reader asks me how one person can make a difference, I often suggest they get involved with the League — which seems like a perfect reason to honor this group of smart, passionate and indefatigable of change-makers.
Ann Hicks Murrah, philanthropist from Winter Park
Ann Hicks Murrah, philanthropist
If you walk into any major cultural attraction in Central Florida, there’s a good chance you’re walking into one that has benefited from Murrah’s generosity. Back in 2013, Ann and her husband, Ken, were recognized by the Orlando Philharmonic for their longstanding support that included a $500,000 donation. But after Ken passed away the next year, Ann kept giving — not just through donations, but volunteering on the front lines. The retired Winter Park educator has supported the Morse Museum of Art, the Bach Festival Society, Opera Orlando and more. Murrah is not only known for her generosity, but for her contagious smile and kind spirit. She’s the kind of person who gives generously because she enjoys doing so. And she makes others want to follow suit.
smaxwell@orlandosentinel.com
