Thanks to Them

It happens in a flash, an instant. Suddenly lives are changed for the better.

Millions of ordinary Americans, usually with little or no recognition or praise, offer extraordinary time to try to improve their world. But their path to good deeds often starts with halting, quirky steps: a debilitating illness and a prayer. A spanking in a youth center. The speech of a nun. A chance meeting at sea with dolphins.

No matter how they decide to do what they do, however, their efforts can by quietly moving: lonely seniors are no longer neglected; high-risk teen-agers get attention from a self-described former tough; crime victims receive some care and attention that the system never could give.

For all the labor, the hard work of all too many largely goes unsung. On a day of thanksgiving, it’s worth telling some of the tales of kindness.

Here are a few:

Raphael O. Cordero II

Cordero, a Burbank resident, chucked an established career at age 34 and now devotes most of his time to his American Centenarian Committee.

“I used to be called the Computer Whiz Kid to the Stars. I was self-employed, and I set up a data base for Steve Allen’s thousands of musical compositions, did work for Dick Clark Productions, among others.

“On April 11, 1986, I found myself at a convalescent home, joining a birthday party honoring three persons who had made it beyond age 100.

“One of them was Percy Washington, now 103. Afterward, I went back to his room, and I remember his words: ‘I don’t want to be forgotten.’ It was then and there that the idea hit me to form an organization and devote most of my time to these living treasures.

“Now, along with Jean Priestman and a few volunteers, I see that 67 local centenarians are visited on their birthdays, as often as possible in between, and that they get phone support. At their age, they often are alone because they have outlived most of their family and friends. As it is, the most difficult part of this work is realizing that every relationship will be short-term.

“When I grew up in New York City, I was reared by my mother, who held down two jobs to make ends meet. I was often cared for by elderly people and was exposed to their wisdom at an early age. Little did I know what was in my future--and I don’t for a moment regret my decision. I could have chosen to live more comfortably, but I wouldn’t have been as satisfied.”