Dudley resident Edward Best honored
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on April 3, 2016 1:45 AM
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Edward Best
Despite their shortcomings, Edward Best loves people.
So much, in fact, that the Dudley resident was named a Citizen of the Year by the United States Deputy Sheriffs Association and a Donor of the Year by Help Hospitalized Veterans in 2015 for his repeated contributions to various charity efforts, including Food for the Poor.
The awards come as a result of years of monthly donations from Best. He spends time working in produce fields and cleaning fish in order to raise money to donate.
Best's dedication stems from his deep Christian faith. He said that, after seeing commercials on TV of people living with terrible conditions in Third-World countries, he couldn't sit back and do nothing.
"When a person is going through something, they shouldn't have to go through it alone. We're supposed to love them," Best said.
Despite Best's own financial troubles -- he lives on a fixed income and sometimes has trouble paying bills -- providing for other people has become a central part of who he is. He has been caring for a woman named Carolyn Greenfield, who lives with him, since 1989. He also cared for her son until he passed away in mid-March.
Best feels that, above all else, love and compassion should be genuine. He urges people to work proactively to fight poverty and injustice instead of simply talking about them.
"Love doesn't come from your mouth," he said. "It comes from your heart."