Denver – The Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center is thrilled to announce Dick and Eddie Robinson as the 2012 recipients of the Hineni Award. This honor, first awarded in 2011, recognizes an individual whose philanthropic efforts transcend any one organization, and whose impact is felt throughout the Jewish Community, both locally and globally.

”When the JCC implemented the Hineni award, the intent was to highlight philanthropy of the highest order, a dedication that sets the bar for all who wish to make a lasting and global impact with their giving,” Gary Yourtz, JCC Board president, explained. “The selection of Joyce Zeff as the first recipient made this statement with resounding clarity. Now, the selection of Eddie and Dick continues to powerfully reinforce our intention to acknowledge this kind of transformational philanthropy. We could not be happier.”

The award will be formally presented to the Robinson brothers at the JCC Annual Dinner, slated to take place at the Grand Hyatt on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012.
Dick and Eddie Robinson are 4th Generation Denverites, whose great-grandfather, Lewis Robinson, established Robinson Dairy in 1885. Dick and Eddie joined the family business in 1954 and 1956 where they spent their entire working careers. Both brothers graduated from East High School and Colorado A&M, now known as Colorado State University.

Being active in community and charitable organizations has been a mutual passion. “This city has been very good to us and the Jewish community has been very good to us”, stated Dick Robinson. “We feel it is our responsibility to give back”. Dick has been active in a multitude of community and charitable organizations. He presently serves as a member of Consolidated Containers LLC. He serves on the boards of the Denver Art Museum, HCA-HealthONE and Regis University. He is past Chairman of the Rose Community Foundation, past Director of US Bancorp in Minneapolis, past Chairman of the Denver Area Council Boy Scouts of America, past Chairman of the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce, past Chairman of Mountain States Employers Council and past Chairman of the CSU Board of Governors. Dick is also the past Chairman of the Milk Processors’ Education Program that presents the famous milk moustache ads.

Younger brother Eddie is also involved in a myriad of community and charitable organizations. Eddie currently serves as a lifetime member and past Chair of the Denver Zoological Foundation, the Denver Metro Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and National Jewish Health Medical and Research Center. He is the past Chair of St. Joseph Hospital Foundation and past board member of both Metro State College of Denver Foundation and the Colorado Commission of Higher Education. Eddie also served on the Board of Central Bank Denver, and subsequently on the U.S. Bank Local Advisory Board. “My father didn’t care about money,” he said. “He cared about people. He was always very generous and he instilled us with philanthropic ‘genes’. I learned to give by example.”

Both brothers have a long association with the JCC. Dick sat on the JCC Board for four years in the 1980s and both brothers actively support the JCC each year and were generous supporters of the 2010 JCC Maccabi Games.

Jerry Gray, long-time JCC Board member and highly respected community leader, expressed his delight when the Robinsons were unanimously selected as the Hineni recipients. “I am proud to say that Dick and Eddie have been my friends for over 60 years,” Mr. Gray remarked. “I have witnessed the many business and community accomplishments they have performed. The Robinson Brothers epitomize what the Hineni Award represents.”