Editor's Note: This series recognizes people who make a difference in their communities. To nominate someone, call Wendy Victora at 315-4478 or email wvictora@nwfdailynews.com.
CRESTVIEW — Dr. Joseph Peter and his wife, Bernadine, have never stopped to think about the time they dedicate to helping those less fortunate. The two say it’s just a part of their lives to help others.
On Aug. 28, the couple and 15 other locals will head to Belize to bring medical attention and hope to 21 impoverished villages.
“What we do is go to the poorest part of the country and get started,” Peter said. “A lot of people think Belize is a wealthy country, but the areas we go to have no roads and no means of getting medical attention.”
The group will be bringing glasses, school supplies, medicine and toys — about 350 pounds in total — to give away to the villagers who come to them for treatment.
“We don’t know how many people will come. We go to five central villages, and people from all around come to us,” Peter said. “We start at 8 (a.m.) and work until we don’t see anyone else coming. They carpool, bus, walk to get to us.”
The group will be there for five days giving treatment to adults and children. This is the fourth year the Peters have made the trip to bring their knowledge and experience to the area.
“They’re really not that far, so why shouldn’t we help our neighbors?” said Bernadine Peter. “It makes such a difference. It gives them so much, so why wouldn’t we take the time?”
The team asks anyone wishing to help to donate school supplies or money to Operation Medical Care INC at 332 Medcrest Drive, Crestview.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.