Thursday, August 29, 2013

Facebook's oldest user, 105 year old Edythe Kirchmaier, receives a new car from an anonymous donor...


Not many Facebook users can claim they learned to drive on a Ford Model T, but Edythe Kirchmaier is a centenarian with millennial tendencies.
These days, though, you'll find the 105-year-old cruising around Santa Barbara, Calif., in a brand new Honda Civic. An anonymous person gave her the car upon learning that troubles with her 1997 Dodge Caravan prevented Kirchmaier from her passion — volunteering with the charity Direct Relief.
Kirchmaier has volunteered with the organization on a weekly basis for the past 40 years and participated in relief work since World War I, Direct Relief spokeswoman Kerri Murray toldMashable.
"She dedicates hours and hours of her time to help bring better health to people around the world," Murray said. "Giving back is something she's been doing her whole life."
Kirchmaier drove her new Honda Civic to its new custom parking spot outside Direct Relief's Santa Barbara headquarters on Friday. Upon receiving the gift, Kirchmaier expressed her gratitude the old-fashioned way: through a Facebook post.
New Car

Kirchmaier became Facebook's oldest registered user when she signed up late last year. According to Murray, when Kirchmaier registered, 
birth year. 
Upon joining Facebook, Kirchmaier asked other users to helpDirect Relief's Facebook page reach 105,000 Likes, coinciding with her 105th birthday on Jan. 22. With appearances on The Tonight Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Kirchmaier surpassed the goal. The page currently boasts more than 123,000 Likes.
Kirchmaier is also California's oldest driver. To boot, she has a perfect driving record. In her 86 years behind the wheel, she never once received a speeding ticket or parking violation, and was never involved in an accident, according to Murray.
Murray said that the gifted car "had nothing to do with" Direct Relief, except that an individual paid for it so Kirchmaier could continue "inspiring people and doing good for others." She also said Kirchmaier is particularly excited about the sportiness of the car and its backup camera.

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