Congraduations to Wilma!

On of the people who has most inspired and encouraged me over the twenty years I have known her is Wilma Melville. She has ridden 100-mile endurance rides, trained and hunted with Red Tail Hawks, done theater, stand-up comedy and magic, built and flown airplanes, raised four incredible kids and makes the yummiest persimmon bread you'll ever eat. But this week she was honored by Civic Ventures by being awarded a Purpose Prize. She was honored for her dedication to founding and growing the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation. The goal of the Purpose Prize aims to "invest in older social innovators by recognizing outstanding achievements, creating a network of people wanting to use their retirement years for the greater good, and channeling funds and assistance to these new pioneers." I remember in the early days of the Search Dog Foundation when Wilma would brainstorm with all those around her on how we could get people to donate ten dollars, let alone a hundred thousand! One of the things that makes Wilma so successful is her encouragement of those around her. Her faith in people's abilities has lead many to attain goals they themselves thought they could never achieve. Way to to go, Wilma! You deserve it.