In the Moyer family, it has usually been Jamie receiving the public accolades. He made an All-Star Game appearance in 2003, won a World Series championship with the Phillies in 2008, and through the years, received major humanitarian honors like the Hutch, Roberto Clemente, Lou Gehrig and Branch Rickey awards.

But last week, Jamie's wife, Karen, stepped into the spotlight, receiving the 2011 Pearl S. Buck Woman of the Year award at a ceremony in Hilltown, Pa. The award has been given since 1979 by Pearl S. Buck International to recognize outstanding contributions by women in the areas of cross-cultural understanding, humanitarian outreach and improving the quality of life and expanding opportunities for children around the world.

"I almost fell over when I saw the list of former recipients," Karen Moyer said Tuesday in a phone interview, referring to Laura Bush, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Audrey Hepburn and Corazon Aquino. "It's quite an honor to be in that class of people."

The Moyers, of course, honed their philanthropy during Moyer's stint with the Mariners by establishing the Moyer Foundation in 2000 in Seattle to help children in distress.

"The first two years at the foundation, we did 80 public appearances," she said. "We wanted people to know us, and that we'd support them."

The foundation has raised more than $20 million, including $1 million contributed by the Moyers to launch Camp Erin, a free bereavement camp for grieving children and teens. There are now more than 40 camps in 25 states. Their latest project is Camp Mariposa, a program for children living with addiction/substance abuse in their families.

"I take my work seriously," Moyer said. "I treat it like work. It's my passion, my mission, my purpose."

She and Jamie are also raising eight children near San Diego. They are fully supporting Jamie's attempt to return to the majors next season at age 49 after missing all of last season to recover from Tommy John surgery.

"He believes in himself so much," she said. "He misses the game a lot. We'll support it and see where spring training takes us."

Moyer, a free agent, is currently throwing two bullpen sessions a week (he's up to 60 pitches) and is about ready to showcase his stuff for interested teams. Could he wind up back in Seattle, where his career — and the family's community outreach — flourished?

"He's leaving all options open," Karen said. "I know there's probably mutual interest. As I always did, I'll stay out of that."

But wherever they end up, she'll remain immersed in the Moyer Foundation.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com