COUNTYWIDE : Magic’s HIV Virus Stirs a Samaritan

In these tough economic times, boat repairman Ken Peterson has been moonlighting as a holiday boat decorator. He does it so that he can do more than just make ends meet.

Peterson was one of the millions who earlier this month heard Earvin (Magic) Johnson’s announcement that he had contracted the HIV virus, and the news moved the repairman to increase his income so that he could give to AIDS-related charities.

“I’m 30 years old and I can’t say I’ve done a lot for those around me,” Peterson said. “You don’t have to be a millionaire to do something.”

What started as a way to make some extra cash for the holidays and build clientele for other boat services has become a more meaningful project for Peterson, whose business is in Newport Beach.

For every boat he decorates with holiday trimmings--strands of blinking lights, layers of garland, towering candy canes and sparkling stars--he will give $50 to the Irvine-based AIDS Services Foundation/Orange County.

The local nonprofit group provides support services for those who have tested positive for the HIV virus, such as counseling and an information network, and its volunteers give basic care to those with AIDS, such as running errands, shopping and preparing meals.

The foundation, whose mission is “to help people maintain a quality of life while they have the illness,” runs a six-bed home for those who are ill and have lost jobs or housing, said Sue Bunker, the foundation’s director of volunteer development.

“The thing with Magic just really hit,” Peterson said. “And what they do is just so neat. It’s for something that counts and matters right now.”

The foundation’s operators are thankful for Peterson’s pledge and are especially glad that local residents are helping, using their own skills.

“That’s real exciting. People are realizing they don’t need to quit their jobs and go to work in an AIDS (hospice),” Bunker said.

Bunker said Peterson contacted the group to make his donations, one of many such pledges since Johnson’s announcement.

“It’s kind of nice to be on the other end of the phones for a while,” she said.

For $9 a foot, Peterson--with the help of paid college students--will spruce up yachts in plenty of time to float in the various holiday parades in Orange County’s harbors.

With an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 boats registered in the county, he hopes to sell his service to at least a few dozen and has set a goal of earning $1,000 for the charity.

When he discusses charges with potential customers, he tells them that approximately $50 will go directly to the foundation.

“If they don’t want to do it, then I don’t want to do it for them,” he said.