By Tim Saunders on
Fast and the Furious star Paul Walker had a heart of gold and has left behind a charity legacy matched by few.
The 40-year-old was killed in a car accident on Saturday.
“It is with a truly heavy heart that we must confirm that Paul Walker passed away today in a tragic car accident while attending a charity event for Reach Out Worldwide,” his charity said in a statement. “He was a passenger in a friend’s car, in which both lost their lives. We appreciate your patience as we too are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news.”
Walker founded REACH OUT Worldwide in January 2010, following the Haiti earthquake. Its mission is simple: to offer help and hope to people affected by natural disasters.
“Paul wasn’t someone who would just write a check and lend his name to an organization; he was the heart and soul of Reach Out WorldWide,” said JD Dorfman, Reach Out Worldwide. “Paul was the first one in and the last one out, he led by example and his hard work and dedication inspired everyone who had the privilege of working with him. He led one of the first teams into the hardest hit areas of Haiti and traveled to Chili to bring water, medical aid and hope after the Earthquake and Tsunami. He ran a chainsaw clearing debris and helping people get back into their homes during the hottest days after the tornadoes in Alabama… Some people play a hero, Paul was a hero. Paul was an honorable, hardworking, dedicated, respectful man with a humble spirit who shared his blessings with those who needed it most. It was an honor and a privilege to be able to work with, learn and look up to someone who walked the walk.”
From his charity’s website: “Based in Santa Barbara, Calif., we are a dedicated network of trained volunteers who act as first responders in the United States and abroad. We strive to bring hope in bleak circumstances by providing aid when it’s needed most, in the first days after a devastating event occurs. Our philosophy is that by making a difference in an individual’s life, to that person, the world has been changed for the better. Our ultimate goal is to send a team to disaster areas within 48 to 72 hours after an event happens.”
Paul Walker will be sadly missed in both the acting and philanthropy communities.
Copyright © 2013 Look to the Stars
