Entry Gallery

Edythe K.

California

2014 Winner

Santa Barbara, CA
Nominated by Hannah Rael

Volunteered for:

Direct Relief

Length of Service:

15 hours per month for 40 years

January 15, 2014

Every Tuesday morning, Edythe drives to Direct Relief and energetically leads a team of volunteers who hand-write thank you letters to supporters.

Edythe has been serving others for more than a century, 40 years of which have been as a volunteer with Direct Relief, a humanitarian medical aid organization.

After retiring from her career as a social worker in the 1970s, Edythe and her husband served two 18-month terms overseas in Taiwan for Direct Relief.

The couple stayed involved with the nonprofit, and Edythe continued to volunteer regularly, even after her husband passed away just before she turned 100 years old.

Last year, Edythe dedicated her 105th year to raising awareness for Direct Relief. The goal of Edythe's 105th Birthday Challenge was to get 105,000 Facebook fans for Direct Relief, making her birthday wish come true.

She achieved her goal last March and continues to be a strong advocate for Direct Relief's work - whether it's supporting safe births for moms in need around the world or supporting Direct Relief's disaster response during emergencies like the Oklahoma tornadoes and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Edythe is an inspiration to all of us here at Direct Relief, as well as to thousands of people around the world. Her message of staying positive, not worrying about things that can't be changed, and giving back to others has touched the lives of many.