Saluting The People Who Help Make Wellington Better

Every hometown has its landmarks, traditions and familiar faces. But what really defines a community? The people who show up. The people who notice what needs to be done and don’t wait for someone else to do it. The people who open doors, lend a hand, rally for a cause, mentor people, support neighbors and make the community around them stronger. That is the spirit behind the Our Wellington Awards.

This year, we are proud to recognize three extraordinary individuals whose contributions have left a meaningful mark on the place we call home: retired newscaster turned community leader Jim Sackett, veteran and businesswoman Krissy Robbs, and artist and author Dinah Mirson. Their paths are different. Their passions are different. Their stories are uniquely their own. But they share something that matters most: a genuine commitment to Wellington and the people who make this community special.

From giving their time and talents to championing causes, creating opportunities and stepping up when their community needs them, Our Wellington honorees remind us that making a difference doesn’t always require a grand gesture. Sometimes, it’s a series of small decisions to care, give of yourself and do a little more.

This year’s honorees represent the heart, energy and generosity that continue to shape Wellington. They are the people behind our hometown. They are the reason it feels like home. This is Our Wellington.

Congratulations To Our 2026 Honorees

 

Jim Sackett:  From Longtime News Anchor To Wellington Civic Leader

Story by Mike May  |  Photo by Frank Koester

Jim Sackett is a huge fan, advocate and supporter of Wellington. The long-time WPTV/News Channel 5 anchor (now retired) and his wife Paula moved to Wellington in 1983, and they have no plans to leave. In fact, they have always encouraged anybody they meet to follow in their footsteps.

“The nicest, friendliest people live in Wellington,” said Sackett, now 80. “I would encourage people to move to Wellington in a heartbeat.”

Sackett has been an eyewitness to the growth and expansion of the community.

“When we built our house in Sugar Pond Manor, our home was just the third house on the street,” he recalled. “Now, there are more.”

Today, Sackett is busy in Wellington as a volunteer with the Wellington Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving Wellington’s seniors, children and veterans in need. He is currently in his ninth year with the organization, now serving as chair of its board of directors.

Sackett concurs with the organization’s motto that “together, we are building a stronger community.” Sackett said it’s that type of commitment to civic excellence that makes Wellington stand out from other places in South Florida.

As chair, Sackett represents the organization by making appearances at many events in Wellington. He’s also a hands-on leader who has been known to use his “elbow grease,” from time to time.

“I do what I can,” Sackett said. “In early August, I packed backpacks for children headed back to school, spoke at a local appreciation luncheon for Palm Beach County teachers and helped organize a back-to-school event for the general public.”

While Sackett loves Wellington, he also has ties and commitments outside of the village.

“I’m also the chair of the Women’s Circle in Boynton Beach, an organization spearheaded by Catholic nuns that helps Haitian women learn how to read, speak English and develop skills that will help them live in South Florida.”

Another activity that has kept Sackett connected to the community is the sport of softball.

For 30 years — from age 49 to 79 — Sackett played senior softball in the western communities.

“I have been on softball teams that have played at the fields behind Wellington High School, at Okeeheelee Park and at Seminole Palms Park,” Sackett said. “I retired from softball about six months ago due to an injury to my rotator cuff, and my legs were starting to get a little wobbly.”

While the Sacketts have been happily living in Wellington since 1983, his life prior to moving to Palm Beach County was filled with a few ports of call.

“I was a U.S. Air Force brat,” Sackett said. “I was born in London, England, but I really grew up in central Illinois.”

After graduating from high school, he studied at Southern Illinois University, the home of the Salukis. Back then, the Salukis had some star-power on their football and basketball teams.

“Our football team’s quarterback was future pro quarterback Jim Hart, who played with the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals, and one of the guards on the men’s basketball team was Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier, who later starred with the NBA’s New York Knicks,” Sackett recalled.

After college, Sackett joined the U.S. Army, where he emerged as a captain. Part of his time defending the United States was spent living in Germany.

After life in the military, he pursued opportunities in broadcasting in places like Washington, D.C., and Bangor, Maine. In 1978, he received and accepted an offer to come work at WPTV, the NBC affiliate in West Palm Beach. The Sacketts were intrigued by the idea of living and working in Florida. He stayed at WPTV until he retired in 2011.

“Initially, I worked weekends, where I wrote scripts, edited copy, produced the show and then anchored the broadcast,” Sackett said. “I was eventually promoted to anchor the evening news at six and at eleven on Monday through Friday, which I did for the rest of my career.”

Since his retirement, when he hasn’t been playing softball, volunteering or relaxing at home, he and his wife have enjoyed traveling the world.

“We have visited the Baltic countries in Northern Europe, Austria, Scotland, Belgium, Ireland, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Galapagos Islands,” Sackett said.

As much as he and Paula relish visiting other countries, they always enjoy returning home to Wellington, where Sackett remains the community’s biggest fan, advocate and supporter.

 

Krissy Robbs:  From Army Broadcaster To Creative Business Leader

By Mike May

Krissy Robbs has built a life rooted in communication, leadership and service. A U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, speaker, wife and mother of three, Robbs is the founder of Fix My Flyer, a service-disabled veteran-owned creative marketing agency that helps businesses and organizations communicate clearly and prepare for new opportunities.

Raised in Shelby, North Carolina, Robbs grew up in a close-knit community that shaped her appreciation for family and meaningful relationships. “I grew up in a small town where people knew one another and community mattered,” she said. “That experience still influences how I approach my family, business and service.”

Robbs attended Western Carolina University, where she earned a degree in communications with a minor in marketing in 2012. It was also where she met her husband, Bevans Robbs. They married in 2014.

In 2013, Robbs joined the U.S. Army, serving as a public affairs broadcast specialist. She reached the rank of Specialist (E-4) and worked as both a television news reporter and radio disc jockey. In this role, she interviewed service members, developed stories and communicated information under pressure — skills that would later shape her career.

“My military experience taught me how to tell stories, communicate with different audiences and complete the mission even when circumstances were challenging,” Robbs said.

In 2019, Robbs and her family moved to Wellington, where they are raising their three children: Melani, Maci, and Bevans Robbs III, known as Tre.

In 2023, she launched Fix My Flyer, which provides marketing strategy, graphic design, print services and business workshops to businesses, nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions and community organizations.

“Fix My Flyer is about much more than making something look good,” Robbs said. “We help clients think through their strategy, communicate their value and show up prepared.”

Recognized as one of the top veteran-owned businesses in South Florida, her long-term vision for the company is to make professional design and printing more accessible and efficient.

Robbs’ commitment to service extends well beyond her business. She serves as public relations officer for American Legion Post 390 in Wellington. Although she is one of the post’s younger members, she has found a strong sense of camaraderie among veterans from multiple generations.

Her involvement includes delivering Memorial Day and Veterans Day speeches, participating in wreath-laying ceremonies, attending military funerals to honor fallen service members and supporting local service projects. “The American Legion has given me another family,” Robbs said. “Whether we are laying a wreath, attending a funeral, sharing a meal or checking on one another, we do it together.”

Robbs has also been a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. for more than 15 years. She is active in the West Palm Beach chapter and serves as chair of the Build Our Economic Wealth Committee. “Service is at the heart of everything we do,” Robbs said. “We help families, support young people, care for seniors and meet people where they are.”

She also serves on the board of the Western Carolina University Catamount Club, giving back to the university that played a key role in her life.

The Wellington community has become an important home base for her family. She values its close-knit atmosphere, strong schools and family-centered environment.

“It is rare for my family to go anywhere in Wellington without seeing someone we know,” Robbs said. “That sense of connection makes it feel like a small town.”

Her children enjoy the many family-friendly events throughout the village. The area’s equestrian culture also reminds her of her North Carolina roots, where members of her family were involved in equestrian activities.

When she is not working or serving, Robbs enjoys traveling with her family. They frequently visit Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, travel to North Carolina, attend concerts and cheer for the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. She also enjoys hosting celebrations. “I enjoy creating moments that give people something to look forward to,” she said. “I love bringing people together and creating memories we can share.”

Robbs’ journey is equally defined by service — supporting veterans, strengthening communities, mentoring youth and helping others communicate with purpose.

“I want the work I do to mean something,” she said. “Whether I am serving a client, supporting fellow veterans, working with my sorority sisters, giving back to my university or creating memories with my family, I want people to feel that I showed up with purpose.”

 

Dinah Mirson

Artist & Author Joins Fernando To Shine Light In The World

Story by Mike May  |  Photo by Denise Fleischman

There are many ways to describe Dinah Mirson. She is caring, giving, kind, artistic and a talented author. Married to husband Brian and mother of two now-grown children, Mirson is happy to be living in the community.

“I moved to Wellington with my family in June 2006,” Mirson recalled. “We chose Wellington because it offered everything we were looking for — a strong sense of community, excellent schools, and a peaceful atmosphere while still being close to everything South Florida has to offer. It has been home ever since, and I truly can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

Right now, Mirson is retired and busy carrying out some lifelong goals. One of her most recent accomplishments is getting a book designed, written and published: FERNANDO. live. laugh. love. Fernando is her dog. This book would never have been written had Fernando, a silken windhound, not become a part of the family in August 2019.

“The book combines colorful artwork, lighthearted stories behind each painting and positive reflections that encourage readers to slow down, appreciate life’s simple moments and find joy in everyday kindness,” Mirson said. “Fernando reminds us that even small acts of compassion can make a meaningful difference.”

Mirson added that many readers feel the book has brought them comfort, joy and encouragement during difficult times — which, of course, was the point. “The response has been incredibly heartwarming,” she said. “Readers have shared that the book has made them smile, laugh and, in some cases, even helped them through difficult times. Our audience is wonderfully diverse, but many younger adults have embraced Fernando’s message that kindness, positivity and slowing down are things worth celebrating.”

The colorful coffee table book has been popular with people ranging from the religious community to medical professionals. “I’ve been donating copies to clergy members, mental health providers, assisted living communities, hospitals and organizations such as the Kids Cancer Foundation because I believe its message is meant to be shared,” she said.

Mirson’s recent artistic accomplishments were triggered during the pandemic. “I actually started painting again during Covid-19,” Mirson recalled. “I had some health issues, and painting became part of my healing process. The colors, creativity and joy they brought lifted my spirits and ultimately led me back to creating art full time after retirement.”

The foundation for FERNANDO. live. laugh. love. can be traced to Mirson’s work in New York City and later in Florida.

Before retiring from a 15-year career in banking on Palm Beach in July 2022, she worked in New York City for comic strip syndication service United Feature Syndicate, beginning in 1984. In her role there, she worked in marketing and licensing, which included working with Peanuts and Garfield. Her work with United Feature Syndicate was a profound period of her professional life. “That experience taught me the power of storytelling and creating emotional connections, something I now try to do every day through Fernando,” Mirson said.

Nowadays, Mirson and her muse Fernando, a retired show dog and licensed therapy dog, spend time helping other people overcome their current struggles in life.

“Since 2023, Fernando and I have been making therapy visits throughout the community,” Mirson said. I think Fernando enjoys the visits just as much as the people he meets. Also, we are now proud to be affiliated with Bonafide Pet Therapy, where Fernando achieved his advanced therapy status this past July.”

For Mirson, her years of work in the corporate world and being a pet owner have taught her a few lessons. “I believe aging well means continuing to learn, staying connected, giving back and having a sense of purpose,” Mirson said. “Fernando has given me all of those things, and together we’ve found a wonderful way to share a little more kindness wherever we go.”

Mirson is not content to be just an author. “I’m currently collaborating on a block-to-block community art project with Tito’s Handmade Vodka at Satchel’s Last Resort pet rescue and sanctuary in Sarasota, while also planning author meet-and-greet programs at Books & Books in Coral Gables this fall,” Mirson said. “The project is designed to create a joyful, welcoming environment that celebrates rescue dogs while encouraging kindness, hope and community.”

Moving forward, Mirson is focused on devoting her time to painting, writing, community projects and therapy visits with Fernando. Mirson and Fernando have many followers on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about them at www.thatsfernando.com.