Howard and Joyce Wood Honored By Boys & Girls Town of Missouri
St. Louis, Mo. (Jan. 5, 2007) – Conservationist Howard Wood and his wife, Joyce, co-founders of Charter Communications, Inc., were honored by Boys & Girls Town of Missouri at the agency’s annual holiday dinner in St. James, Mo., for their contribution and support of the agency’s therapeutic outdoor recreation program. They received the Highlight of Hope award which honors individuals who are instrumental in Boys & Girls Town of Missouri’s programs to treat children suffering from abuse, neglect and emotional problems.
The Woods were recognized for their challenge gift supporting the new Meramec Wilderness Learning Center located in Steelville, Mo. The recently-constructed center is located on a 1,200-acre ranch and is used for Boys & Girls Town outdoor recreational therapy programs.
“This generous support from Howard and Joyce Wood allowed Boys & Girls Town to build a center at the ranch that will create year-round recreational therapy opportunities for hundreds of children each year,” said Vince Hillyer, president of Boys & Girls Town. “We are truly blessed that Howard and Joyce believe in the programs we offer to troubled children.”
Equestrian Therapy and a week-long School in the Wilderness are just some of the outdoor recreation programs which take place at the ranch and offer children living at Boys & Girls Town an opportunity to build new lives. The ranch and center offer a healing recreational environment where children enjoy play and physical activities.
Through these experiences children learn to develop positive problem-solving skills, gain a sense of responsibility, increase their confidence and self-esteem, work with a team and build trusting relationships with adults and peers.
“The camping, hiking, fishing, rappelling and other activities are eagerly anticipated by the children throughout the year,” said Hillyer. “Not only are the activities fun, but children who participate in the program learn more about themselves and successfully start to rebuild their lives.”
Howard Wood is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accounts. He was appointed in 1997 by the governor to serve as one of four commissioners on the Missouri Conservation Commission. Joyce Wood is a retired certified public accountant who formerly worked as a tax manager with Arthur Anderson & Co. Howard and Joyce were co-founders of Charter Communications, which is the fourth largest operator of cable television in the United States. |
Columbia Region
