Lives We've Touched

A Story That Keeps On Giving

Cliff Steer was a heart transplant recipient back in 1985. He also was an employee of the PepsiCo Company. When Mr. Steer began donating to San Jose Neighbors That Care, Inc., his company offered an "Employer Donation Match" which matched his employee contributions, dollar-for dollar.

But that's just the start of this story.
When Mr. Steer retired, he began counseling young people about giving up addictions. Cliff Steer could speak about addiction from the heart, because he was
a recovering alcoholic.

As a matter of fact, he took his damaged heart with him when he spoke to show the results of smoking and drinking and the damage it does to the heart.

He created a video to carry on his campaign in case he became physically unable to do so. That's because the medication he was taking after his heart transplant to prevent heart rejection was damaging his kidneys.

But there's a twist to this story. When he was unable to find a suitable kidney donor, it looked his life would end and his counseling work with young people would be over. His wife, Jean, was tested and found to be a perfect kidney match. In January 1996, Jean donated a kidney to Cliff.

"No greater love, Gwen Peters, Director of San Jose Neighbors That Care, Inc., was quoted as saying to Leigh Weimers, reporter for the San Jose Mercury News. Gwen visited the couple after they returned home and found them both concerned about how to get Cliff's video freely distributed to kids who were making bad choices that would affect them for the rest of their lives.

That's when PepsiCo and San Jose Neighbors That Care, Inc., stepped in, to take care of Cliff's legacy; the free distribution of Cliff's video to young people at risk. Unfortunately, Cliff Steer passed away in 2003. But, Cliff's legacy still continues to be supported by Steer's former employer, PepsiCo and San Jose Neighbors That Care, Inc.

This story has come full circle. Cliff's widow, Jean Steer, contines to donate to San Jose Neighbors That Care, Inc., with funds that are still matched by PepsiCo Company.

PICTURED:
Jean Steer (Top, Middle) and her grandchildren.