Dottie Berger MacKinnon (1942–2013) was a lifelong children's advocate who raised millions to establish safe havens for at-risk kids. [1] She was a Hillsborough County Commissioner from 1994–1998, serving as its chairman from 1996–1997. [2] She was the co-founder of Joshua House and Friends of Joshua House in 1992, [3] a temporary safe location in Lutz for abused and unwanted children. [4] She helped to create a $1.2 million endowment to ensure that it continues. [5] She also established A Kid's Place in 2009, a 60-bed temporary location for foster-care to help siblings to stay together. She was on the board of directors at Tampa General Hospital from 2000 to 2007. [1] On May 4, 2011, she received the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award by the Hillsborough County Commissioners. [2] She also received the annual award that year from Hood Simply Smart Milk and the League of Women Voters. [3] In 2012, she received the “Woman of Influence Award” from the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. [6] In 2013, she was posthumously inducted into the Florida Women's Hall of Fame. [7]
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