Lighting a Candle on World’s Largest Virtual Birthday Cake
At 104 years old, Edythe Kirchmaier has been serving others for years, 40 years of which have been as a volunteer with Direct Relief International.
As Edythe approaches her 105th birthday, she hopes to inspire the world to make a difference, as she has, by raising awareness for the charity to which she’s dedicated much of her life, Direct Relief.
To honor Edythe and celebrate her milestone birthday on January 22, 2013, Direct Relief has created the world’s largest (virtual) birthday cake, a Facebook application called Edythe’s 105th Birthday Challenge, which will enable the world to light a candle and wish Edythe a happy birthday.
The goal of Edythe’s 105th Birthday Challenge is to generate 105,000 birthday wishes for Edythe, which will equate to 105,000 Facebook fans for Direct Relief and make Edythe’s birthday wish come true.
“Edythe is an amazing source of inspiration and joy and such a powerful example of personal commitment to make a difference through the course of one’s life,” says Direct Relief’s VP of Communications, Kerri Murray.
“We should not have been surprised, given Edythe’s tireless service, that she wanted to use her 105th birthday to encourage others to join in the mission of improving the health and lives of people in need. It is a deeply heartwarming gesture.”
Well-wishers can participate in Edythe’s 105th Birthday Challenge by visiting the app on Direct Relief’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/directrelief. They can also join the conversation on Twitter, via the hashtag #lightacandle.
