Lester Dray is a 97-year-old man. He lives in La Loma Village, a senior community founded by the Phoenix nonprofit, the Sun Health Foundation. And though La Loma Village is considered an active adult community, one of their many residents gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “active adult.”
Nicknamed “the granddaddy of charity walks,” Dray has been participating in the West Valley CROP Hunger Walk for the past two decades. The CROP Hunger Walk is a charity event with the goal of supporting hunger fighting efforts not just across the community, but across the world.
“Despite the fact that I’m in my 90s, I’m still a great believer that I don’t just let the world go by without taking some responsibility for making it better for people, obviously based on my religious beliefs,” says Dray upon completing his 21st CROP Hunger Walk.
And while Dray may not walk in next year’s CROP event, it doesn’t mean he’ll be passively sitting on the sidelines. Instead, Dray will be following his passion by helping the organization fundraise through a brand new gift matching company.
And though the La Loma Village resident may be one-of-a-kind, his dedication to his mission, thankfully, is not.
Across the country, at the University of Connecticut, exists a student-lead organization called the CROP Hunger Walk Club, aimed to get students involved in the fight against hunger. Spearheading engagement in the UConn Walk are students Laura Fillion, Rebecca Hasko, and Todd Harrell.
And though the university students are decades younger than the dedicated Dray, they have their hearts set on the same wonderful calling that he does, proving that there won’t be a limit to those following in his impressive (and incredibly active) footsteps.
To learn more about Sun Health, one of the Valley’s most dedicated Phoenix nonprofits, visit us today at http://www.sunhealth.org/.
