A New Hampshire non-profit group is making its fourth trip to Ukraine in less than a year. They are members of the Plymouth Rotary, and are already responsible for bringing items to 700 orphaned children. This time, they have partnered with Alex Ray, who owns the Common Man Restaurant. He alone has pledged $1 million, toward a $2.5 million fundraiser. InDepthNH.org podcast producer Roger Wood spoke to him, Susan Mathison and Piotr Jankowski, who coordinates the project in Poland, where the group rents warehouses to hold the goods before a truck convoy to Ukraine. He spoke to all three via Zoom while they were in Poland. Their website is commonmanforUkraine.org.
Susan Mathison
Susan Mathison focuses on creating a better world as an environmentalist and a humanitarian. She spent 30 years at the USDA Forest Service working as a forester in Vermont, Oregon, and New Hampshire. A passionate advocate, she serves as the President of Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity. Inspired by the camaraderie gained from teamwork, Susan has rowed competitively for decades and continues to coach. She is a mother to two grown sons, a dahlia aficionado, and has called New Hampshire home for 20 years.
Alex Ray created The Common Man Family of Restaurants in 1973 and built it into an award winning hospitality empire dedicated to “doing more good.” Providing meals and caring for others in his 18 restaurants, inns, and roadside service stations serves as a mere appetizer to the care he provides in his relief and humanitarian efforts. Alex has volunteered in New York City at Ground Zero, New Orleans after Katrina, Haiti and Honduras post-earthquake, and Puerto Rico after the hurricane. The Common Man for Ukraine mission serving orphans, children and families is his largest volunteer mission.
Roger Wood is an award winning radio, podcast, newspaper and television journalist, with over 40 years of experience in the media. Roger has spent his entire professional career in New Hampshire. Roger currently serves as associate publisher and podcast producer at InDepthNH.org. In 2021 and 2022, he was recognized by the New Hampshire Press Association for his work in news podcasts. Prior to that he was honored for his work in broadcast radio news and public affairs. He has produced news and special feature reports for InDepthNH,
New Hampshire Public Radio, NPR, and other public and commercial radio stations. He also produced spot news for CBS Radio. He has produced and narrated some 50 audiobooks and has written three novels. Roger has also moderated political forums for Seacoast Area Chambers of Commerce in Senate, gubernatorial and congressional races. He has also facilitated public policy discussions locally and statewide. He has three adult children and four grandchildren. Roger and his wife Elaine, reside in Portsmouth with their cat Sebastian.
Roger Wood
Associate publisher
Podcast Producer
Indepthnh.org