FOR A GOOD CAUSE -- Kevin Priestley

* Story by Young Chang; photo by [tk]

Kevin Priestley’s father was a cop. His mother was a nurse. Anyone who

needed anything in their Long Island neighborhood knew where to turn.

Today, the longtime Corona del Mar resident continues the family

legacy. Priestley volunteers with the Newport Harbor Area Chamber of

Commerce, the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Hospital of

Orange County and area schools.

A chiropractor for more than 20 years, the 47-year-old gets to work by

5 a.m. every day. His first patients arrive at 5:30 a.m. He takes care of

paperwork, works out at lunch, goes home about 6:30 p.m. and donates much

of his spare time to various volunteer causes.

“It’s fun to be involved in the community,” Priestley said. “To see

the smile on kids’ faces.”

For the Corona del Mar Christmas Walk every year, the volunteer

coordinates Santa appearances so that St. Nick can take pictures with all

the children.

“And we will take pictures at no charge,” he said. “Grandmothers,

everybody sits on Santa’s lap. We give the pictures right then and there.

We put it in a folder, and it looks real nice.”

Priestley’s efforts now are focused on that exact annual tradition,

which will take place Sunday.

Sometimes, he brings his charities to work.

Last Easter, he helped CHOC by donating almost 600 stuffed animals.

They came from his patients, who got a free visit in return.

Priestley was equally generous for Pomona Elementary School, giving

out free medical visits in exchange for school supplies, which were all

donated to the Costa Mesa school.

When asked how he finds room in his life, which includes 100 patients

daily, to give of his time and money, Priestley pointed out that it’s a

double blessing.

“It’s a lot of fun because the office gets two or three times busier,

and it allows some of the patients who can’t [afford to] come in, to come

in at lower rates,” he said.