Burt’s Eye View: Paul Elder

Perspective

By Burt Ross, Contributed Column

Iwas saddened to learn that my friend, the Rev. Paul Elder, a deacon at St. Aidan’s Church in Malibu, succumbed to cancer last month at the age of 86. Paul was truly a man of God.

I met Paul several years ago when a group of us formed the original Malibu Task Force on Homelessness, which contracted with e People Concern to help local homeless individuals transition from the streets to permanent supportive housing.

I can say unequivocally that, other than the professional sta of e People Concern, no one did more to nd housing for Malibu’s homeless population than did Paul, who believed in putting the Scriptures to work. Day after day, even into his 80s,

Paul would get to know the people living on our streets. He would provide them with a toothbrush, a blanket, and, most important, an ear.

Paul could be rm with our unhoused neighbors when needed, but he always treated them as fellow human beings. He would listen to their stories, and frequently, he was able to help nd them housing.

Paul helped launch Project Homeward Bound, which identi ed local homeless individuals who were willing to rejoin their families but needed nancial and logistical assistance to reunite with loved ones. It was not unusual for Paul to drive one of our neediest neighbors, ticket in hand, to the bus station to return to the comfort of family.

Paul will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know him. He cannot be replaced. Most certainly, Paul is in heaven, where he rightfully belongs. Rest in Peace.

“A lot of people donate on faith because we’re this tiny but mighty organization that’s plugged away, adapted during the pandemic, still remain relevant, and still mend kids and people just give us money without fully understanding the depth of the care that we’ve given,” Fox concluded. ‘When we have the opportunity to bring a child who’s grown into a young woman who’s accomplished things, who’s going to give back now thanks to the benevolence of strangers who believed in her right to have a future, that’s what I love about the people who support us. ey champion the right to live to your full potential and that’s only possible by giving these kids a chance at futures. So, the theme for this year’s gala is a birthday theme because we realize that for 18 years we’ve been in the business of giving kids birthdays because by extending their lives they get more birthdays.”

As of December, 4,860 kids from 70 countries, including the U.S., were given life-saving surgeries. In 2023 surgical missions were deployed to Tanzania, Cambodia and in February a child from Fiji had surgery through Mending Kids making Fiji the 71st country the charity has served.

Donations can be made at MendingKids.org.