105-Year-Old Woman Surprised With New Car from Anonymous Fan

Gift enables California's oldest driver to continue volunteering regularly at Direct Relief

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California's oldest driver, 105-year-old Edythe Kirchmaier, received a big surprise when she was gifted a brand new car from an anonymous fan.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130823/DC68991 )

Kirchmaier has a perfect 86-year driving record with no accidents, parking, or moving violations. She renewed her driver's license this January after passing her test with flying colors.

The longtime Santa Barbara resident garnered international attention earlier this year with appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Access Hollywood Live in which she inspired the world to make a difference by raising awareness for her beloved charity, Direct Relief.

As the oldest registered Facebook user, Kirchmaier's 105^th birthday wish was to get 105,000 people to like Direct Relief's Facebook page by lighting a candle on the world's largest virtual birthday cake that the humanitarian organization created for her.

Kirchmaier was given a brand new 2013 Honda Civic after the anonymous fan heard her 1997 minivan was having lots of break downs and needing many repairs, jeopardizing her ability to continue volunteering at Direct Relief, as she has for the past 40 years.

Driving since she was 19, Kirchmaier learned to drive on a Ford Model T.  

About Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a leading medical relief organization, active in all 50 states and in 70 countries. It works with more than 1,000 health clinics across the U.S. to assist in emergencies and an ongoing basis, providing them with free medications for people in need. The organization has been among the world's largest medical suppliers in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, has top charity ratings, including four-star and "top-notch" rating from Charity Navigator, and a 99% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes magazine. For more information visit www.DirectRelief.org. 

CONTACT:
Kerri Murray, (805) 452-7599
[email protected]

SOURCE Direct Relief

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