Coca-Cola Torchbearers – January 23rd
NAME: Donna Kuenzig
Hometown: Guelph, Ontario
Carrying Torch: Nelson
Torchbearer number: OTR086-149
Torch Relay Segment: January 23rd, 2010
Age: 47
Torchbearer Story:
Donald Kuenzigs’ dream in life is to be a Coca-Cola Torchbearer for the 2010 Games. He keeps active by providing primary care to his spouse who has multiple sclerosis. He takes him out for walks when the weather is good. Kuenzig also assists with his daily needs, but always encourages him to do as much for himself as possible.
Kuenzig also loves to work in his garden, growing his own vegetables and taking care of the yard work. He also enjoys doing an aqua-fit class once a week and volunteers in a long-term care facility, helping seniors with eating their meals and serving some of the beverages. Kuenzig feels it is extremely important to keep active for as long as possible. He does this with a good diet, exercise and a social network of family and friends.
Lastly, Kuenzig has great concern for our environment and tries to do as much as he can to reduce his energy consumption. He also tries to educate his family and friends about how we all have the responsibility to help our earth.
NAME: Allen Kuffert
Hometown: Castlegar, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Nelson
Torchbearer number: OTR086-122
Torch Relay Segment: January 23rd, 2010
Age: 50
Torchbearer Story:
A few years ago, Allen Kuffert was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes and high cholesterol, since that time he has changed his lifestyle. He has begun to eat a more healthy diet including homegrown vegetables, blueberries and garlic. He has started walking everyday, up to five miles on the treadmill or outside weather permitting. He is learning to golf. He plays in a slow pitch league in the summer and a hockey league in the winter.
This past month, Allen took a course called Chronic Disease Self Management Program. This course not only helped him better handle his diabetes but now he is an instructor.
Allen turned 50 this year and he is fulfilling a life-long dream of participating in the Olympics by being a part of the Coca Cola Olympic Torch relay.
NAME: Susan Buttnor
Hometown: Victoria, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Nelson
Torchbearer number: OTR086-130
Torch Relay Segment: January 23rd, 2010
Age: 47
Torchbearer Story:
In 1987, Susan Buttnor sustained a severe leg injury that left her disabled and currently confronting amputation. The challenges she has endured have taught her that despite differing abilities, everyone can all make a contribution and difference in our communities. In her community, Susan volunteers three times a week cleaning up the local beaches.
Through the years, Susan has seen Victoria’s shore life vanish because of pollution; although a daunting task, it’s her ambition to help reverse this trend. Her activities may seem minor in comparison to others, but Susan points out that “like the grain of sand that comprises the beach, we each have a role.”
NAME: Darrell Mott
Hometown: Delta, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Ymir
Torchbearer number: OTR086-119
Torch Relay Segment: January 23rd, 2010
Age: 46
Torchbearer Story:
Darrell Mott has been active his entire life. As a parent, Darrell has tried to create the same opportunities that his parents were able to provide to him. Darren helps coach his daughter’s ringette team and his son’s soccer team. In the Mott house, there is also a rule that if it is nice outside, you are not allowed in the house. When the Mott’s first moved to their neighbourhood, Darrell says he rarely saw any of the neighbourhood kids outside. Now, their household has become the hub. There are always kids coming over to kick the soccer ball around, dribble a basketball, play on the swings or play badminton. Darrell likes to think that he may have encouraged some of the to be more active.
NAME: Linda Mott
Hometown: Delta, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Ymir
Torchbearer number: OTR086-120
Torch Relay Segment: January 23rd, 2010
Age: 46
Torchbearer Story:
Linda Mott admires her father for always being a leader in their community. She says that his is an amazing role model for her and her three brothers. His accomplishments include president of Rotary, senator in the JC’s, a member of the hospital board, President and founder of Toastmasters in Creston and being a loving husband and father. Linda’s father is still farming and this year ran the night shift (over 100 staff) at a cherry packing plant.
Linda is proud of her father and glad that he can see her participate in the Olympic dream as a Coca Cola Torchbearer.
NAME: Crystal Browne
Hometown: Nelson, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Nelson
Torchbearer number: OTR086-129
Torch Relay Segment: January 23rd, 2010
Age: 37
Torchbearer Story:
Crystal Browne’s commitment to protecting the environment began when her first child was born. She says that it started simply. First she began buying local and regional goods. Then it grew to buying energy and water-efficient appliances and her husband started cycling over 25 km to work to reduce fuel consumption. They now use reusable shopping bags to bring home groceries and grow a garden, maintain a compost bin, and eat conservative amounts of meat. The list continues to grow and Crystal says she is always looking for new ways to live green.
Crystal’s biggest payback has been watching her daughters embrace the belief that the environment is a priority. Her eldest is a member of the school “Green Team” program and she is taking the job to heart. Crystal’s youngest recycles to a fault, requiring the family to screen the recycle bucket for unsuitable items. Crystal is proud of the contribution her family is making to protecting the environment.
NAME: Chao Zhang
Hometown: Burnaby, British Columbia
Carrying Torch: Nelson
Torchbearer number: OTR086-145
Torch Relay Segment: January 23rd, 2010
Age: 21
Torchbearer Story:
Chao Zhang believes in the power of volunteering. She knows it will help to create a better Canada by touching one life at a time. One day, as Chao was playing “La vie en rose” in UBC hospital on the piano, someone came close to her in a wheelchair. “Give your heart and soul to me/ And life will always be/ La vie en rose”, she calmly sang along. Chao saw, when she turned around, a lady of about ninety years old. Tears were glimmering in her eyes as she reached for Chao’s hands with trembling arms. Chao held her stiff hands for a long time. Chao was deeply touched.
Whether it is working with seniors at UBC hospital, providing palliative care to sick kids at Canuck Place, or spending time with housebound young adults at Duke Street Group Home. Chao feels warm and appreciated at the end of each visit.
