What's Up Bracebridge Gravenhurst January 2010

Olympic spirit burns bright
Photograph: Laura Bombier
Torchbearers Kathleen Reid of Barrie and David Zelewski of Bracebridge stand before a crowd in
Bracebridge as the flame made its way through town on Dec. 30 (above). Special Olympic speed
skater Stephen Graham carries the torch through Gravenhurst earlier that day (left).
Photograph: Don MacTavish
Bracebridge couple honoured for humanitarian work
By Jason Dickson
The Rotary Club of Bracebridge recently named
Peter and Kathy Wood Citizens of the Year.
It marks one of the few times that a couple has won
the award. Selection committee chairman Doug Marshall
says the choice wasn’t difficult.
“We had seven nominations for different people,”
Marshall explains. “And they were all good. But it was
pretty well unanimous.”
The Woods received the award for their extensive
volunteer work in Muskoka, as well as Africa.
“We feel humbled,” says Kathy. “There are so many
other people in our area who are helping those in
need.”
The list of organizations and charities that have
received help from the Woods is extensive, from Meals
on Wheels, the Rotary Centennial Gardens, to Out of
the Cold and the Boy Scouts.
Recently their efforts have turned to Kenya, after
being a host family for the Canada World Youth
exchange program.
Their sponsor child, Ronnie Mwachia Mdawida,
came to Canada and stayed with the Woods for three
months.
Photograph: Sandy Lockhart
Peter and Kathy Wood
In 2006 the Woods began The Ronnie Fund, a
charity to help Ronnie improve the situation in his
impoverished home village of Wongonyi.
“The Church of the Redeemer in Rosseau was looking
for an outreach project,” explains Peter. “We started
a fund to help pay for Ronnie’s education.”
Since 2006, the Woods have raised money to purchase
essential farming tools for the village, including
a BioSand Water Filter, an irrigation pump and a
brick-making machine.
“One farm quadrupled production,” explains Peter.
“Such a simple tool as an irrigation pump has such a
profound change in their lives.”
The Woods say their efforts come naturally. Both
had parents who supported charities.
“I grew up in a family where everyone pitched in,”
Peter says. “We also do it to set an example to our children.”
Peter goes onto explain that growing up in Rosseau
made it easier for him to appreciate the plight of Ronnie’s
small village in Kenya.
“I think we have the capacity to share with ourselves
as well as others,” he explains.
Kathy certainly agrees.
“We started with pennies in a jar to help out one
young man,” she explains. “Now we’re helping out a
whole village.”
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www.whatsupmuskoka.com January 2010 7