Over the course of a century, the Canadian Red Cross has made an enormous contribution to humanitarian aid and relief in countries around the world. Alongside sending assistance to those in need, the Canadian Red Cross - one of the country's largest charity organizations - recognizes those individuals who have gone above and beyond in providing their own services. Just this past spring, a brand new award was launched by the Canadian Red Cross to honor a Red Cross international aid workers who has over the course of his or her work overseas demonstrated the generosity of Canadians through humanitarian actions and support in the face of emergencies and disasters.
Kroum Pindoff's story
As a longtime supporter of the Canadian Red Cross, Kroum Pindoff proved himself a true humanitarian. Over the course of years, Kroum Pindoff and his wife, Eva, donated more than $17 million to the Canadian Red Cross, in support of projects that provided relief, aid and education to women, children and seniors. Their first philanthropic efforts went out to those affected by war in former Yugoslavia. Since then, other areas of importance for the Pindoffs have been assistance for the victims of land mines and those affected by droughts in Africa. Following the 2004 earthquake and tsunami that ravaged South Asia, the Pindoffs offered $5 million in support of the Canadian Red Cross' relief and recovery efforts in the region. This was the single largest personal contribution to a Canadian Red Cross disaster appeal ever.
The inaugural recipient
In honor of Kroum Pindoff's philanthropic achievements, the Canadian Red Cross Kroum Pindoff award will be given on an annual basis to deserving aid workers. The recipient for the 2013 Kroum Pindoff Award - the first ever - was Elaine Hernandez.
Elaine Hernandez has made a number of contributions to the Canadian Red Cross, but her outstanding work has been her recent coordination of Canadian Red Cross support to the Honduran Red Cross and Ministry of Health, delivering Maternal Newborn and Child Health programming to nearly 230 isolated communities in rural regions of Honduras.
The Canadian Red Cross is proud to recognize the outstanding work of Elaine Hernandez and the compassion of the Pindoffs with the award. Their efforts have provided inspiration for other Canadians to make a difference in the world.
You can show your humanitarian support today: Donate to the Canadian Red Cross!