Don Germaise

Don Germaise was an award-winning television journalist in Tampa for nearly 20 years. He was the first reporter ever hired by ABC Action News when it began its news operation in 1994.

Don’s coverage of hurricanes won him nationwide recognition and his catch phrase “hunker down” was so popular, it turned into a hurricane party game.

Don earned the respect of the area’s top newsmakers and lawmakers with his honest hard-hitting manner.

Don retired from television in 2012 to devote his life to giving back to Tampa Bay. He volunteers regularly at nearly a dozen non-profit agencies including Feeding Tampa Bay, Trinity Café, Metropolitan Ministries, Ronald McDonald House, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Crime Stoppers of West Central Florida, Hillsborough County Schools and Mattie Williams Neighborhood Center. He also sits on the board of five non-profit agencies and runs his own charitable foundation. Don is recognized throughout Tampa Bay for his volunteerism, winning awards from Ronald McDonald House, Hands Across the Bay, The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, the Rotary Club of Tampa and the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Heroes Award. Don also travels the world to volunteer, visiting such diverse countries as Peru, Romania, Colombia, Vietnam, Thailand, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Haiti.

Don is married to Jeanne Kiss Germaise, who is a business development director. Their daughter Lexi Germaise is an accomplished graphic designer.