Retired Carrier Delivers Hope to Kids

For more than 20 years, retired Letter Carrier Joe Koch has been a constant companion at the “Give Kids The World Village.”

The former Philadelphia, PA, letter carrier has been a volunteer at the Kissimmee, FL, nonprofit “storybook” resort since 1990, delivering surprise gifts and hope to children and their families. All told, he has logged more than 20,000 service hours helping children with life-threatening illnesses.

The resort is a 70-acre village complete with villa accommodations, whimsical venues and entertainment attractions designed for children with special needs and their families. The resort has welcomed more than 115,000 families from all 50 states and more than 70 countries.

Koch, 83, still works three days each week at the village. “Being at the village gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning,” he said.

Mailbag

In 2009, my 2-year-old grandson had his right eye removed and received six months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer. The Make a Wish Foundation gave us the opportunity to stay at “Give Kids The World Village” where we had Christmas in May, ate ice cream for breakfast, became pirates and princesses, and visited the Disney theme parks. Thank you, Joe Koch, and all the other “angels” at the Village for making our experience special.

Source:  NewsLink