For the past two weeks, all eyes have been focused on Beijing, China for the Olympics and here at NBC Augusta, we've used this time to shine the spotlight on some local heroes we call Augusta Gold Medalists.

Ray and Kathy Rufo are southerners with northern roots. Both born in New York and raised in Georgia, they're also proud to share their Chinese heritage.

“Kathy's third generation, I'm second generation. We still have certain Chinese recipes I remember my mother cooking that Kathy does almost as good as my mother,” Ray said. "Doesn't quite taste the same," Kathy laughed.

Ray, a retired dentist, and Kathy, a retired nurse, now work with the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association and even helped put together a cookbook to help with fundraising.

“We had a beginning class in stir fry and preparing some of the recipes in the cookbook,” Kathy said.

The Rufos have four daughters and nine grandchildren of their own, but take great joy in working with adopted children from China and their families living in the Augusta area.

“We have sessions of Tai Chi, calligraphy, learning to enunciate their Chinese name, to write the Chinese characters, and as even use the brush,” Kathy said. “This is the effort to still have ties with their homeland,” Ray explained.

The Rufos traveled to China to assist their own daughter with two adoptions.

As the Olympic spotlight shines on Beijing, they find the continued transformation of their country up to this point inspiring.

“It's a sense of pride to find your own country can create such an extravaganza as the Olympics. China has been waiting to show the world, ‘We are not behind’ as a lot of people think,” Ray said.

A visit to Tibet is in the works for next year, but their hands are quite full for now with upcoming community events and they say that's the way it should be.

“I had a very successful practice, I owe Augusta a lot. I volunteer for as many things as I can. I try to take part not just partake,” Ray said.

The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association Cookbook with plenty of Rufo recipes is available through their website.

There will also be lots to see and taste at Arts in the Heartin September.