At first glance, there's nothing extraordinary about Harry Gifford's life.

The former Californian and now Sun City West resident is grateful for his successful career in the telephone business, his 60-year marriage to his wife, Phyllis, and the health of his two children and three grandchildren.

A typical American man of his generation, with modest means and modest dreams, Gifford's life may even seem a bit dull.

But digging a bit deeper reveals a heartwarming truth about Gifford -- he's spent thousands upon thousands of hours in the last six decades helping others. The super-volunteer doesn't have a "good" reason. He simply cares.

"It's a responsibility of ours as people who have the time and the health to get involved in volunteering," he said of he and his wife's efforts. "That's the way I see it."

In his volunteering career, in which he often enjoyed the company of his wife, Gifford has focused on children in particular. Coming from a modest childhood in which he "didn't really have much (but) the love of wonderful parents," taught him to appreciate time and effort rather than things.

So, Gifford has donated his time and efforts to the Boy Scouts, Little League administration and the YMCA.

"I just like kids, I guess. I can't think of a better answer," he said. "I saw so many kids who didn't seem to be getting a break in life and I tried my best to help. The best way to do that is through an organization ... because unless you're extremely well-heeled financially, it's kind of tough."

He's also aided the efforts of the Red Cross, served as the Chamber of Commerce president in his hometown, worked as the driving instructor for five years with the Sheriff's Posse of Sun City West and dedicated many years to various Kiwanis Clubs in both California and Sun City West.

His efforts have been well recognized, as the plaque-covered wall in his office would indicate. Likewise, Gifford has a Boy Scout Camp named in his honor and was recently inducted into the California High School Hall of Fame. But it's the sparkle in his eyes and genuine pride that reveal the real reward of his good deeds.

"Knowing that a lot of people are better off because of our contribution to their lives, that's the best thing," he said. "The most important thing is helping somebody."

Currently, the Giffords volunteer at the St. Mary's Food Bank on Mondays, packing lunches for underprivileged children. They also deliver meals to homebound seniors as part of the Meals on Wheels program and are looking into animal shelters and other volunteer opportunities. Voluntarism, they agreed, was essential in the community.

"In Sun City West, if we didn't have volunteers the cost of living would be horrendous. You couldn't afford to live here," Phyllis said. "And that's the sad part about people moving in who don't volunteer, they don't realize that.

"Time is probably one of the most precious things you can give in life because so many people just disregard it. It's a very short-lived time, when you think about it."

Recently, Harry Gifford has taken a deserved break from volunteering for health reasons. Ironically, the man with the heart of gold struggles a bit with heart problems.

"My surgeon said, 'you're my bionic man! Anyone who has three pacemakers and two bypass surgeries has got to be a bionic man,'" he said, laughing. "I've always been very, very healthy but this problem comes and goes. But I'm in my 80s, so I'm very grateful. I'm lucky."

He is eager to return "full-time" to his volunteer duties. So is Phyllis.

"We're not exceptional because there's a lot of people like us, but we are committed to volunteering. We think it's an extremely valuable facet of our community," he said. "The only thing that will shut us down is health."

"That old rocking chair's not going to get us yet," Phyllis added.

For this everyday American, volunteering gives him a sense of purpose. For the hundreds, maybe thousands of people he has helped through his 60 years of selflessness, Gifford provides an example of how best to live.

Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.