"I always find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." A famous quote by Thomas Jefferson rings true in the lives of Eleanor and Dr. Raymond Gardea. They will tell you they are lucky in life, and then tell reverent stories of hardship, family duties, and community activism.

Eleanor and Raymond met in Galveston, introduced by a friend. "Raymond wanted to meet me somewhere where we could dance, so he could decide if he wanted to ask me out," smiles Eleanor. They eventually married and came to El Paso, where Raymond had grown up in El Segundo Barrio. They lived the difficult lives of a young intern and wife: long hours, little pay. "My first night in El Paso, I slept on an x-ray table," recalls Eleanor, "and we would spend our Sundays making house calls."

Young Raymond never forgot his roots. He had lived in poverty in El Segundo, and worked from the time he was a boy. He went to Aoy School, and then Bowie, where he was the salutatiorian in his class. "I spent my best years in life at Aoy and en El Segundo," remembers Dr. Gardea. "I experienced everything a boy growing up could experience," he adds.

Dr. Gardea gives everyone credit for his success: his brother in Los Angeles who encouraged him to stay in school; Mr. Silva, the grocery store owner, who gave him some money to enroll at the University; his uncle, who owned a bakery, and set an example of pride and success; and his valedictorian classmate from Bowie who encouraged him to be a doctor. He understands the importance of helping and encouraging others.

In practice for 45 years in El Paso, Dr. Gardea is most proud of his five children and his community accomplishments. He was among the founders of Father Rahm Clinic, which grew into La Fe. "Nina, a neighborhood woman, asked us to help provide medical help to the people of South El Paso," Dr. Gardea smiles. "We started out in one room in the Siete Infiernos neighborhood, using antique equipment. We built it into something of which to be proud."

Both Eleanor and Raymond served their community on all levels. Raymond was on the Naitonal Advisory Council on Medical Education, Council on Health, Education and Welfare, and served as the first medical director of La Fe. Eleanor followed the children through PTA, Girl Scouts, and then served six years on the El Paso Children's Daycare Association, and was President of the El Paso County Medical Auxiliary. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the El Paso Community Foundation. Dr. Gardea still meets every day of the week with a civic group, whether it's his Bowie alumni or the Senior Health Foundation.

Eleanor and Dr. Raymond Gardea's Great Gift to El Paso is in their hard work. The Raymond and Eleanor Gardea Fund in the El Paso Community Foundation will help others and, with a little "luck", allow them to be as successful as the Gardeas. The El Paso Community Foundation—and all of us in El Paso—are lucky to have them.