‘Angel’ steps up

There is nothing wrong with the name “Mr. January.”

Just ask Tarah Wakeling.

Last week, Wakeling, a 32-year-old Newport Beach resident who

suffered massive brain and spinal cord injuries in a 1995 car

accident, received a three-wheeled gift from a very special donor.

The bike -- complete with any accessories Wakeling needed -- was

donated through the Mr. October Foundation for Kids, a charitable

organization started by Newport Beach resident and former Major

League Baseball slugger Reggie Jackson -- a.k.a “Mr. October,” for

his post-season slugging heroics.

The new bike replaced the one that the Pilot reported was stolen

from Wakeling’s home on New Year’s Day. It helped return mobility and

independence to Wakeling, who was left unable to drive after the

accident.

Jackson, whose career included tenures with the New York Yankees

and California Angels was mum. His secretary would not say for the

record whether it was Jackson himself who gave the gift.

That’s OK. It just goes to show that angels do exist -- even

former ones.