My brother Robert Fripp played on David Bowie’s Heroes. One of the lines is “We can be heroes, just for one day.”
However, there are those in our midst who are heroes every day, for decades. If you were to ask my brother, “How do we become a hero?” Robert would tell you, “By performing acts of quality. Acts of quality are ungovernable by size. A small act of quality is as important to the world as a large act of quality.”
One of the reasons I was so excited to join the Golden Gate Breakfast Club twenty-four years ago, was because of the quality of the members. Many would be considered pillars of the community—judges, admirals, generals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. Many were much older than I was, and that was the appeal. To be around people of quality. Heroes in their worlds; although, no doubt they would scoff at the suggestion.
In the bustling city of San Francisco, CA, on March 2, there was a celebration of a remarkable man. Les Andersen, at the venerable age of ninety, was honored for his extraordinary career with the Boys and Girls Clubs. This momentous occasion serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of others, especially when dedicating their life to service and community improvement.
Founded in 1891 on Harrison Street in SOMA, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco has 130 years of experience in youth development. It offers fun and engaging programs for youth of all ages, building a sense of belonging, usefulness, influence, and competence.
When Les was seven years old, he spent his time after school there. After his military service, that is where Les went to work. He is still an active volunteer. Les Andersen’s journey with the Boys and Girls Clubs is not just a career; it is a testament to the power of commitment, passion, and the relentless pursuit of making a difference. His work embodies the essence of selflessness, where the reward lies in the smiles of children and the transformed lives of young individuals.
I challenge us all to never forget to honor the contributions of selfless individuals like GGBC member, Les Andersen. And yes, as Les always tells us at our GGBC meetings which are in Zoom 3 weeks of the month, “We take trucks, cars, wheelbarrows, picks and shovels and cash.”
