I would like to explain the origin of the name on our building because I frequently hear people say things that make me recognize that there is confusion about it. The name of our building is the Robins-Starr Humane Center. Because the first name in the title differs from my own first name only by the addition of an “s,” many folks think that the building simply bears my own name. It is important to me to explain what the name is and how the name came about because it was one of the most generous and thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me.
Claiborne Robins chaired the campaign for the Compassionate Solution which was the capital campaign that we ran in 1999-2002 to raise the money to create and operate the wonderful humane center that we moved into in 2002. Claiborne and a large committee of wonderfully committed people and I worked together for several years in order to raise the money that has transformed our ability to save lives in this community. Claiborne and his family gave generously to the campaign and set a wonderful example for others. Their gifts accorded them the privilege to name the humane center and, prior to its opening, Claiborne had told me that it would be named the “Robins Humane Center.” I was delighted with that idea.
In the weeks leading up to the dinner that we were planning to hold to give our donors a first look at the new humane center that was about to open to the whole community, I tried to make sure that the sign with the name “Robins Humane Center” would be erected in the front on Hermitage Avenue. The sign company said they would but then would never actually show up to get the work done, much to my frustration and annoyance. When the night of the dinner arrived, I found out why. Claiborne had decided that he wanted to recognize the long and hard work that I had put into the campaign by adding my last name after his own to the name of the humane center. He announced this remarkable kindness to me at the dinner and, while we were in the dinner, had the sign company erect the sign out front with the name “Robins-Starr Humane Center.” When everyone came out at the end of the evening, the sign was up. I was deeply honored and grateful and will be for the rest of my life. To have my last name included in the name of our humane center means all the world to me but it is only a part of the name, not the whole thing! It was a great kindness and that is why it is so important to me that there be no confusion as to what the name really is and why it is what it is. Thanks for letting me tell the story again.
Robin Robertson Starr is the chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA. To read her complete biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before submitting a comment, please review our commenting guidelines.
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