Retired postman recognized for 20,000 hours of service to charity

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Give Kids The World (GKTW) volunteer Joseph “Joe” Koch has logged more than 20,000 service hours to help children with life-threatening illnesses and will be recognized for his contribution on the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley. The story is scheduled to run on July 26 during the 6:30 p.m. newscast. A retired U.S. postman for the City of Philadelphia, 83-year-old Koch has volunteered at the Central Florida nonprofit “storybook” resort since 1990, bringing happiness to thousands of children and their families.

CBS correspondent Mark Strassman and his crew spent July 13 at the Village and filmed Koch as he delivered surprise gifts and “hope” to the families’ villas. Koch was also recognized for his service to the charity in an April 15 article in the Orlando Sentinel and featured as an Everyday Hero on Central Florida News 13.

Koch, who lived in Feasterville, Penn. for more than 30 years, now resides in Kissimmee, Fla. and volunteers three days a week with the charity. Over the last 22 years he has served in nearly every role at Give Kids The World—from serving meals in the Gingerbread House Restaurant to operating the Enchanted Carousel to delivering daily gifts to the families. On July 26, over 5.78 million CBS Evening News viewers will get to see the impact Koch has made and the magic he brings to families each and every day he arrives at the Village.

A widower who survived prostate cancer and a quadruple bypass surgery, Koch says volunteering at Give Kids The World keeps him young and alive.

“Being at the Village gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning,” he said.

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