He has been a familiar face in Albion Pl, central Dunedin since 1997 and, to date, the 71-year-old has raised $90,000 for the Otago Community Hospice, $50,056 for the Otago SPCA, $19,100 for Heart Children Otago, and $42,100 for the newborn intensive care unit at Dunedin Hospital.
What inspires him to do it? It is rewarding, and he genuinely enjoys selling pens to help other people.
"I had a rough childhood . . . Verbal and mental abuse. I left home at 14 years old and my first job was selling pictorial encyclopedias on the streets of Sydney.
"I've got all my jobs just walking in off the street. I'm good at selling products and I'm good at selling myself."
When he first started selling pens on the streets of Dunedin to raise funds, he did it on a trial basis.
At the time, he recalled, many people did not believe he would "last the distance".
"But I'm one of those people who, once I start something, I finish it. I'm determined and dedicated."
More than 200,000 pens later, Mr Griffiths is showing no signs of slowing in his passion for pen sales.
"Next year, I plan to raise $25,000 for the SPCA again, and the year after that, I'm booked to raise about $30,000 for the hospice. I've got no plans to stop just yet."
Star editor Helen Speirs said staff at The Star were "constantly humbled" by unsung heroes like Mr Griffiths, who gave so much to the community and expected nothing in return.
"The length and breadth of service shown by some of the Dunedin Stars nominees is staggering.
"Staff at The Star are proud to run these annual awards as they are an extension of something we try to do as much as possible every week in our newspaper - that is, to profile people who make a positive contribution to our community, and hopefully, inspire others to make similar contributions to the community," she said.
