A Daytona Beach senior citizen is getting big accolades for his work with local foster children.
Gordon Johnson, 74, recently won $100,000 for his efforts and he is also News 13's Central Floridian of the Week.
Johnson runs Neighbor to Family, a Daytona Beach-based national foster placement program that is focused on keeping siblings together.
"You can't help but have that passion when you're involved in child welfare and see them separated from their families for whatever reason," Johnson said.
At an age when many people have been retired for a long time, Johnson's office walls are still filling up with awards.
Johnson was recently named as one of five winners of the Purpose Prize, which honors innovators older than 60 with $100,000 each.
A panel of 21 judges, including actor Sidney Poitier, journalist Cokie Roberts, and author Gloria Steinem chose Johnson out of more than 1,000 nominees.
"It's good for Neighbor To Family and good for those of us our age who can do things and continue doing things," Johnson said.
Typical of someone who knows success, Johnson credits others with his success -- especially his wife and staff.
Although the Purpose Prize is nice, Johnson said the real prize is doing what he loves for as long as he can.
"I would see the $100,000 as a big start in acknowledging the fact that we're here to stay," Johnson said.
That is why Gordon Johnson is our Central Floridian of the week.