The Republic’s annual Woman of the Year award recognizes community leaders — often unsung — who volunteer in ways that benefit others.
Who could be a more deserving recipient than someone who has aided both children and animals while mostly staying in the background?
That’s why Wendy Elwood was a great choice for The Republic’s 38th annual Woman of the Year award.
People might not know of Elwood’s passions unless they know her or work with her, but her contributions have been significant.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Notably, she and husband Mark offered $500,000 as a community match for addiction prevention efforts — which provided a big boost for the work being done locally by the Alliance for Substance Abuse Progress. The community matched the Elwoods’ amount, and through Project Prevent the money raised is given as grants to nonprofits for their addiction prevention efforts.
Children and residents also have benefited from Elwood’s work with kidscommons, the Council for Youth Development, Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena and Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation for Bartholomew County.
Her time and talents also have been directed toward animals, by volunteering and raising money to help Columbus Animal Care Services and the Bartholomew County Humane Society.
Elwood is a great example of the many ways a person can make a positive impact in a community, whether in the forefront or the background.
What’s important is her care for others and desire to lend a hand. A person with such qualities is a great benefit to a community.
We applaud Elwood for her efforts and devotion to the community.
