Robin Shapiro

Robin Shapiro’s smiling face is often the first thing you see when you walk through the doors of The Children’s Inn. She comes to The Inn twice a week to work at the front desk, welcoming families and visitors. Robin is one of 84 volunteers who cover regular shifts answering phones, taking reservations, checking families in and out of their rooms, orienting new families to The Inn, and answering questions about everything from airport transportation and local restaurants to directions to the zoo.

Robin began volunteering at The Inn 3 years ago, after retiring from an 18-year career as the Upper School Admissions Director for the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. Her father, Samuel W. Greenhouse, was one of the founding statisticians at the NIH and worked here for over a quarter of a century.“I practically grew up on this campus, and I always thought that if I had a minute to volunteer, this is where I would come,” says Robin. “I love the interaction with everyone and am so inspired by the families as well as by the people who work here.”

Volunteering at The Inn provides a great balance with Robin’s other post-retirement career. Her husband, Dan, is a developmental pediatrician and she spends three days a week working in his home-based practice—handling the business side of things, including billing scheduling, and scoring tests that are given to the patients. Robin and Dan have four grown sons ranging in age from 22-31, and two grandchildren. In her spare time, Robin also enjoys yoga and hiking.

“It’s really wonderful to be involved with The Inn,” adds Robin.“I love to help out as much as I can at the front desk as well as during the holidays and helping out at The Inn’s annual fundraising gala.”