tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281820662024-03-05T03:45:07.977-05:00Uncle Billy DeLong - Rotary Club of New York's AmbassadorTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-36472380450340553482011-04-14T07:10:00.002-04:002011-04-24T03:24:24.923-04:00<strong>It is with great sadness to announce to you the passing of our dearest member and good friend Bill De Long last night April 13 2011 at 12.15AM<br /><br />Thanks to our Rotary involvement and the caring of so many of you we were able to track down the person who took care of Uncle Billy for some time now in New York and was his legal proxy. That person informed us, more specifically Helen Reisler last night that Billy had passed away in the hospital.<br /><br /><br />May Uncle Billy rest in peace and please include him in your prayers.<br /><br /><br />Members of the Rotary Club of New York</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><br />"UNCLE BILLY"<br /><br />Harold William DeLong, better known as “Uncle Billy,” passed away on April 14, at 12:05 AM, as the result of a fall. He had celebrated his 90th birthday on December 7, 2010.<br /><br />Bill grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he sponsored the annual poetry contest, and had been a member of the Lions Club. He continued to retain a house there and made frequent trips back to his “old home town,” although, in recent years he resided mainly in Queens, NY.<br /><br />He had boundless energy and loved to travel and meet new people. “The Vagabond,” as he referred to himself, volunteered in any disaster that needed a helping hand, and was the ultimate humanitarian.<br /><br />As a global volunteer, he comforted sick children in Chernobyl, brought joy into the lives of impoverished children in Africa, and traveled to the Gulf Coast to aid in the recovery after “Hurricane Katrina.” He fed the street kids in Vietnam, served at an educational camp for diabetic children in The republic of Georgia, and entertained children at The Ronald McDonald House in NYC.<br /><br />“Uncle Billy” also worked in North Dakota, aiding the victims affected by the flooding Red River, and did similar work in Eisenburg, Germany. He aided victims of an earthquake, near Mexico City, and recently traveled to India to work with drug and alcohol dependent youth. When the earthquake occurred, in Malaysia, he lent a helping hand and he volunteered in Mongolia as well. His last mission, in Haiti, was one of Bill’s largest efforts, given the complexity of the situation , the climate, and the age of this volunteer. He would have hopped on a plane to Japan, after the tsunami, if not for the concern of his friends.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A World war 11 veteran, Mr. DeLong had served as a cryptographer and intelligence analyst in the Middle East, and had many unique jobs in his lifetime.<br />He was a gasket salesman, owned a casket business, and gave over 2000 performances of his one man fashion show. He was a member of the Screen Actors’Guild, and was an “extra” in at least three movies, as well as an opera. Never one to sit still, and being an expert dancer, this spry senior swirled the single women around the floor, in Fred Astaire fashion, as a dance host on several cruise lines.<br /><br />Retirement was not a concept he understood, so in what others would refer to as their “twilight years,” he used his time as “the oldest working waiter in America who refused to take a pension,” as he proudly introduced himself, at every opportunity. This, he determined, would help him add to his self-created “Uncle Billy Happy Dollars” fund. His friends and waiter buddies, impressed with his philanthropic goals, would add a dollar from time to time.<br /><br />This served as his social life as well, as many of the ambassadors, celebrities, and politicians he served at the 50-75 annual banquets, became his friends. The speeches at these events, kept him updated on the latest news and trends. His friends knew that they could phone him only up to 11”PM, at which time he turned off his phone in order to watch the news of the day. After that time, a “folksy” message from Bill, including a verbal “beep,” urged them to leave a message,<br /><br />His acceptance for membership by the Rotary Club of New York, gave him an “extended family,”and was a perfect support system for his humanitarian adventures. He was appointed their “Traveling Ambassador of Good Will,” which he proudly advertised on new business cards.<br /><br />The members of this prestigious club had a hard time accepting, as real, the numerous stories that Bill continuously related about his activities. They eyed this fast talking, 80 year old new member, with suspicion. It wasn’t until the incoming club president suggested that he take photos of his ongoing adventures, and after some intensive research, convinced the others he was genuine, that he was fully accepted into the “fold.”<br /><br />When the tragedy of “9/11” occurred, in 2001, “Uncle Billy” was the first club member to arrive at “Ground Zero,” where he showed up in a mask, gloves, and apron, to help the Salvation Army serve food to the rescue workers. He lived the Rotary mantra, “Service Above Self.”<br />Bill’s proudest moment came when he was awarded the New York Post “Liberty Medal,” by Mayor Bloomberg, at Gracie Mansion, and turned up on the front page of that newspaper, the next day , along with celebrity comedian Jerry Seinfeld. He wore that medal , to every event he attended, for the rest of his life….usually in his waiter’s uniform.<br /><br /><br /><br />Harold William DeLong, lived a life that could, no doubt, be made into an action movie. He was a great friend and inspiration, who unselfishly helped people in need, never asking for anything in return. He left us with his staunch belief that “one is never too old to help others.” Billy will be deeply missed by a multitude of people, around the globe, whose lives he touched,<br />Helen ReislerTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-88019162534932940252009-03-07T11:56:00.001-05:002009-03-07T11:56:39.366-05:00<a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html">May 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html">September 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html">October 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html">December 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html">February 2007</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html">May 2007</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html">April 2008</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html">June 2008</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><br /><br />-->Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-61591039205421095652008-06-14T05:18:00.004-04:002011-04-14T07:25:21.635-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAw_4FnRDEKB13rJGQX79vpkQQ93dUoo1hASI7IbRZe3I57-NvBxl5r8JQVS_spLmiRAVbngH_zeXTz4xdD8vRdBSTUY7MBEQdNUUiVcP9r7WDGCGRTcOMa8EcxOQ1ic5n1Zjfyw/s1600-h/IMG_0567.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328963718194376338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAw_4FnRDEKB13rJGQX79vpkQQ93dUoo1hASI7IbRZe3I57-NvBxl5r8JQVS_spLmiRAVbngH_zeXTz4xdD8vRdBSTUY7MBEQdNUUiVcP9r7WDGCGRTcOMa8EcxOQ1ic5n1Zjfyw/s400/IMG_0567.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;">First Meeting Uncle Billy</span><br />First meeting "Uncle" Billy Delong at the Rotary Club of New York in 2003, I admired how this lovable and friendly senior citizen in his eighties, could spend weeks and even months in some of the most impoverished, war-torn and dangerous areas of world, ...and loving every minute of it. So I created this Blog to present the adventures of my friend to provide a resource and model for others to also benefit from the joy and satisfaction Uncle Billy has found. He first started his escapades the day of the vicious attack of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Tom and James McConnon <br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Click here for the follwing chapters:<br /></span></strong><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_05_01_archive.html">May 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html">September 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_10_01_archive.html">October 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html">December 2006</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html">February 2007</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html">May 2007</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html">April 2008</a><br /><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html">June 2008</a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPO8pN2OOQRWYrCkXBzbOGkjz58o8DUQzC89P4wCDymBKqBdKW-wZbFgo2n28XpyBthUnRSA5WmiWKwtuIF7_snSYuzovi_NAEMswfITiABeHuLOuDOwO586BSeYmgbP8ZwtRxw/s1600-h/IMG_0568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328967552200981042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPO8pN2OOQRWYrCkXBzbOGkjz58o8DUQzC89P4wCDymBKqBdKW-wZbFgo2n28XpyBthUnRSA5WmiWKwtuIF7_snSYuzovi_NAEMswfITiABeHuLOuDOwO586BSeYmgbP8ZwtRxw/s400/IMG_0568.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><em><span style="color:#333333;">Transcript form a local newpaper</span></em></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">Bill gives all his tips from working as the oldest union waiter in the United States to support volunteer programs at home and around the world. On September 11, 2002 the first anniversity of 9/11, Bill attented a memorial breakfast at the Regent Wall Street, then proceeded to Ground Zero where he laid a bouquet of Roses at the site in memory of all wait staff, espically those he personaly knew. He mourned the loss of not only their lives, but the lives of almost 3,000 people.He recalled what it was like to have worked in the building himself and thought as did everyone in the city of New York how lucky they were to have kept their lives and escaped this, the greatest calamity to have occurred on US soil since Pearl Harbor.Bill still remembers all the companies he worked for when he freelanced part time as the a temp in the towers. He stands and wonders how many people did he brush by, meet in the elevator , have cup of coffee or a brief chat with, that are now gone and says a silent prayer sending his love towards Heaven, helped of course, by the countless religious leaders at Ground Zero and around the world who prayed for World Peace.In fact, in the that shopping plaza one man will never be forgotten. He took the stock of sneakers from his store and tossed them into the public area instructing women with heels to dawn them so they can run swiftly to safety. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">We may never know all the acts of heroism that happened that day, were the union waiters giving out water to the rescue workers ? Did they help someone else live and they died? We may never know. But, this we do know, we miss them all and we will never forget them! Nor will we ever forget Harold Bill De Long’s Heroism heading to Ground Zero an octogenarian at the time, whe he could have been sitting home watching everything happen on TV. Instead, he was making his way full steam ahead to do what he could. Being put to work in the Salvation Army Tent, he made beds, cleaned, gave out exercise programs , but most of all he brought cheer by taking a rubber latex glove, blowing it up into a balloon and waving it as welcoming hand from NY. He gave his love.In 2002, Bill’s heroism was honored when the New York Post presented him with the “Ambassador's’s Medal” which was well deserved. He was also given a Senate Seat in the World Nations Congress where leaders from all over the world met to dicuss important issues. Bill’s forum is “Seniors in the workforce”. He strives to keep seniors active and as vibrant as he is.For his lifelong achievements, the ABI, American Biographical Institue has welcomed him into their Hall of Fame as the First Waiter in America. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;"></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#333333;">The entire Nation and the World welcomes and will always remember the good he shows everywhere espescialy during 911. We will never forget him and he will never be forgotten.</span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="http://unclebillydelong.blogspot.com/"><<> Please Click here to go back to home page.</div></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-78337830714889348972008-06-14T05:18:00.003-04:002009-04-26T07:30:46.462-04:00<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduiDoITpBEYpB65iefhpTfqmzkJ4VK2rIig1NlGdWxWLS1Nn2oF7AU_fY9JrnR0UF7XqCk2IdTdYGXP8gWGGMFflMKPDSgwm-4U9V759CRpRwgnXF4EPesXeneBo9M6hgSM71Bw/s1600-h/ub+viet1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328954793713518898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduiDoITpBEYpB65iefhpTfqmzkJ4VK2rIig1NlGdWxWLS1Nn2oF7AU_fY9JrnR0UF7XqCk2IdTdYGXP8gWGGMFflMKPDSgwm-4U9V759CRpRwgnXF4EPesXeneBo9M6hgSM71Bw/s320/ub+viet1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>"Uncle Billy's" letter from Vietnam.... January and February 2009</strong></span><br /></span>NY Rotary Member Bill <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DeLong</span></span> sends greetings from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Vietnam. Hello</span> to all. The weather is hot and now I am a Millionaire. 17 thousand and 400 hundred Dong equals one US Dollar. Gas is 2 dollars a liter and every one has a motor bike. We only see buses and taxis - almost no automobiles.I am working with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DUC</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DUC</span></span> Street Children Project. It was founded in 1997 to care for over 150 Self earning children in Ho Chi Min City. It is an organization that strives to protect children from abuse, reducing illiteracy by promoting schooling and vocational training, providing health care education for children ages 5 to 17 or there-abouts, and keeping relationship with their families.It is a very active organization and it seems to work. So far I have been with the children at the sewing school center to prepare young students to work in clothing factories. I also spent a day with one of the world's largest cement factories that bags it for cargo ships for world wide contractors. The library where they are being taught computer skills is a big project. Little boys and girls are learning <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">English</span> to use the computers. The children are looking for attention and affection as many do not live with their families - were abandoned as babies and live at various homes and shelters.I have been giving some dancing lessons as another form of relaxation. Christoph the Munich Rotarian is here and has been a wonderful advisor and has helped to see that I am placed in various projects. I am living in a Guest House which includes Bed and Breakfast and there are many Australians and New Zealand Backpackers here as well.On my time off I called on the new 2004 SHERATON HOTEL Manager, was received with a great big hello and welcome . enjoyed fresh fruit and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tid</span>-</span>bits and met the staff. Next week I will call on the American Consulate as the US Embassy is in Hanoi and meet the staff and get the lowdown on what is going on in Israel/Palestine. Now I hear Lebanon is getting involved. how things have changed since my working in the American Embassy back in 1948 when Palestine became Israel,and many years later. Having been a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Volunteer</span> in both countries I am hoping the people I know and worked with are still alive.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I2RuX0RNpjpx2sWD1wQyXwwKmahfSXi1GF9M2Py98M-C5W02km4EMMQQbDEAdVf_XSOGkcxFj83bD_jf0r2aX6hPjfNHCiSELum0X4aR3-WIYRYQSSJnCz2j__7tVAWc7wGGdg/s1600-h/ub+viet5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328960823680903330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I2RuX0RNpjpx2sWD1wQyXwwKmahfSXi1GF9M2Py98M-C5W02km4EMMQQbDEAdVf_XSOGkcxFj83bD_jf0r2aX6hPjfNHCiSELum0X4aR3-WIYRYQSSJnCz2j__7tVAWc7wGGdg/s320/ub+viet5.jpg" border="0" /></a> I enjoyed life in both Syria and Jordan before all this confusion, war, and terrorist attacks.Today is Sunday and a day to myself. Doing some sightseeing with Australian backpackers. There are no US Tourists presently - at least I have not met any so far. The country has a poverty level but not like I found out when working in India in February/March with the Red Cross in 2008. My friend Andrei, a Banker gave me a bag of candy so yesterday we all had a candy party I will visit the Vietnamese Water Puppet Show.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucXcgsW2ZwPaYlQuVMOBNJkdbqVe5kFGEp3E5ZDHL3SmshS5SRjSQfDLz-GYY5QoPmMIe5qM-hHr0y9A3PNmFh9UI9Nerzg_xYAk5E_qEX17kP_ZHexUO0j11nS49mtJDnt_wTQ/s1600-h/ub+viet2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328955699770541282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucXcgsW2ZwPaYlQuVMOBNJkdbqVe5kFGEp3E5ZDHL3SmshS5SRjSQfDLz-GYY5QoPmMIe5qM-hHr0y9A3PNmFh9UI9Nerzg_xYAk5E_qEX17kP_ZHexUO0j11nS49mtJDnt_wTQ/s320/ub+viet2.jpg" border="0" /></a> I saw it years ago and I hear the new show is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">terrific</span>. Will buy a DVD if possible so one and all in USA can enjoy this new kind of entertainment.My personal and warm regards to all for year 2009, especially my friend Andreas. See you all some time in February.as ever,Uncle Billy, the Rotary Vagabond.PS I am known here as Billy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">DeDragon</span></span> as Long is the name for Dragon in their language and guess what? When I worked in China and stayed at the Backpackers Hostel, a photo was taken of me and placed on the bulletin board as the visit from an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">American</span> Dragon. Yesterday an incoming backpacker recognized me as he saw my photo on the bulletin board in the Beijing Hostel. So what else is new crazy world we live in. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo: Uncle Billy helping with a Special education School at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Siason</span> Zoo</span></em></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-81372762732281276952008-06-14T05:18:00.001-04:002009-04-26T07:54:44.187-04:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgz3CLgsbYjTLJd35nk1o23cQ8AjrtRGIxvn8dfwdcWda4NdjHN5nah-bnlq_0VwDHyMsJgpNLOqTDKwTroMRsHhX3IFbKSue-cUhLFtKPAl1ujjwsq-IJOB8lBfLtmYeGVaPSQ/s1600-h/IMG_0570.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328966396386780370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgz3CLgsbYjTLJd35nk1o23cQ8AjrtRGIxvn8dfwdcWda4NdjHN5nah-bnlq_0VwDHyMsJgpNLOqTDKwTroMRsHhX3IFbKSue-cUhLFtKPAl1ujjwsq-IJOB8lBfLtmYeGVaPSQ/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">AAPR Bulletin - Reprint November 1, 2008</span><br /><br />Sometimes, even Harold “Billy” DeLong has to yield to Russian tanks. America’s oldest working union waiter had planned to travel to the Republic of Georgia in August to serve at an education camp for diabetic children, which the 87-year-old Queens, N.Y., resident had done the previous three years. But the camp closed in the shadow of the Russian military’s invasion of Georgia.<br />So instead, DeLong—known to those he serves as “Uncle Billy”—will travel to Vietnam in December to help feed street kids.<br />“My motto is, ‘Service above self,’ ” says DeLong. He waits tables at some of New York’s luxury hotels as a member of Local 6 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, after “retiring” in 2002 from a career that included military intelligence work behind the iron curtain.<br />DeLong uses money he makes from working 50 to 75 banquets a year to pay for his humanitarian trips to places such as India and Africa. He’s also tended to Hurricane Katrina victims. Because of his volunteer work, the New York City Rotary Club appointed him traveling ambassador.<br />“No matter how old you are, you can get out and help others,” he says.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9pjnVda6f-Zw2TPWOCAFhtg-yEKeEkGahXe2c-utJ9Ntz1WdaBZpUTW3VR5eveNj7IP9LUBTYX7xePaJ9NjOf7EjbaetSru7LPYTMHnc_fEGJiOElgTKyqs2NJZ_85FMtqDVEg/s1600-h/IMG_0558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328948219976504850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9pjnVda6f-Zw2TPWOCAFhtg-yEKeEkGahXe2c-utJ9Ntz1WdaBZpUTW3VR5eveNj7IP9LUBTYX7xePaJ9NjOf7EjbaetSru7LPYTMHnc_fEGJiOElgTKyqs2NJZ_85FMtqDVEg/s320/IMG_0558.JPG" border="0" /></a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-23533278758556472852008-06-14T05:15:00.000-04:002009-03-07T12:02:33.168-05:00<div align="center"><em><span style="color:#666666;">A letter From Uncle Billy in May 2008 about State Senator Robert Wonderling new book "Talking PA (Pennsylvania) where he wrote a chapter about Uncle Billy's Humanitarian Travels</span></em>.</div><br />Hello to all Rotarians,<br /><br />I left the Sheraton Hotel where Reading, Pa Rotarians along with surrounding Rotary Clubs in the area to attend a wonderful and well organized Breakfast. along with our Pennsylvania Senator Rob Wonderling and his secretary Liz Ferry and my old friend retired Reading Eagle Manager, our leading Local newspaper, Chuck Gallager and my personal guardian Keith Hill who looks after my affairs in Reading, I met Rotarians from all over this area, who came to see the great honor I received from the Senator who presented me with his new Book entitled TALKING PA With 21 conversations for the 21st Century, Leaders who have a passion for the citizens of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania along with their blend of commonsense and insight to help others. after the Senator made the presentation along with remarks about my Humanitarian and Volunteer work both at home and around the world I received the book and my personal comments between guests taking notes and flash photos I gave them all a chance to step into the background of America's Oldest working Union Waiter and Traveling Ambassador for the New York City Rotary Club. At the close of the breakfast both the Senator and I, were off to the WEEU Radio Station to appear on the talk show, where the latter half of the show there were call in from those who wanted to compliment or ask questions, I was carried away by many of the people who knew me through other Projects I was involved in my Home town. a very rewarding surprise. In view of the fact that all my family has passed away, My reply was you are may family now. I left the Radio station and back to my home for rest and relaxation as it was one of the most rewarding days of my career, with the exception of the day I received the Liberty Ambassador medal from Mayor Bloomberg and Gov. Pataki at the Gracie Mansion Sept 26, 2002. my interview with the will follow after the event 27 May 2008 Reading Cable Service interview. By By By for now, The Rotary Vagabond.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-84698266149979521332008-04-26T06:49:00.000-04:002008-12-09T15:39:28.493-05:00<span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;">Uncle Billy in India and Tibet - March 2008</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf_PpEu-oSL4rAc8PXEUbcERJeKhVa67hA5IFx-vKVaKUCcOabZF1fO1ZIcIw2kBfSbdxDlV8u04mw8UYGk6bV5rlfOve5PmcMo2gWxOfi_0hS5PWKQ1IDZk6Em4Ee2RCtus0wg/s1600-h/Image88mepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193523492962616546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKf_PpEu-oSL4rAc8PXEUbcERJeKhVa67hA5IFx-vKVaKUCcOabZF1fO1ZIcIw2kBfSbdxDlV8u04mw8UYGk6bV5rlfOve5PmcMo2gWxOfi_0hS5PWKQ1IDZk6Em4Ee2RCtus0wg/s320/Image88mepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z7yLaOVsbCLdHiGo5M5SNYoGQaWjE0WbeTPfr6nnvp-3s5kUkeK93HhpFqoGCcy8eTc9aZx8iYbANWZnFh2SdVCoxxkdtrW9ZAGtlqekmrUnjN0CoVTqAA5mLu1coxVMZc5sxQ/s1600-h/Image90+mepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193523501552551154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Z7yLaOVsbCLdHiGo5M5SNYoGQaWjE0WbeTPfr6nnvp-3s5kUkeK93HhpFqoGCcy8eTc9aZx8iYbANWZnFh2SdVCoxxkdtrW9ZAGtlqekmrUnjN0CoVTqAA5mLu1coxVMZc5sxQ/s320/Image90+mepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ18qChzU_sXs-0AgkfpN8xHLdf7aP4zu-FzXdiXY8RGrrT5K_KpvRixNEPHB3B40hWTBukBmIjxyN2PWGa05XFHz8yX6nOTIR9FWtxeNmcM0oh2QEA-tbwKAIJZgFqt5zlguW8Q/s1600-h/Image8mepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193523505847518466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ18qChzU_sXs-0AgkfpN8xHLdf7aP4zu-FzXdiXY8RGrrT5K_KpvRixNEPHB3B40hWTBukBmIjxyN2PWGa05XFHz8yX6nOTIR9FWtxeNmcM0oh2QEA-tbwKAIJZgFqt5zlguW8Q/s320/Image8mepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR4AssV6b2tzMMmS_GOtNYybMeS-YsyU_2LEaF4oKkhTK_BnSAv0xkvLxkGQ8UJuYUHjpYgCgIyIoq3WIVCdD4S2y5iG6fFONDE-C1KUbx7DaB7yz9bQ-LEqfjvajTTqgljqwyQ/s1600-h/Image9+mepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193523510142485778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR4AssV6b2tzMMmS_GOtNYybMeS-YsyU_2LEaF4oKkhTK_BnSAv0xkvLxkGQ8UJuYUHjpYgCgIyIoq3WIVCdD4S2y5iG6fFONDE-C1KUbx7DaB7yz9bQ-LEqfjvajTTqgljqwyQ/s320/Image9+mepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDhnFOMdHNK04iRLUx-8MlHw3Zs8jF-4t9IcU43JHfpBOJHmiRKa3dShXnSHc3M2P7xZt2yEzmNffafPdW0m6RKNZQI_RWV8JVulvYlhMAv1nkYCzKriNpmwQxovvdp13fyWMaw/s1600-h/Image90+nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193514769884038338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDhnFOMdHNK04iRLUx-8MlHw3Zs8jF-4t9IcU43JHfpBOJHmiRKa3dShXnSHc3M2P7xZt2yEzmNffafPdW0m6RKNZQI_RWV8JVulvYlhMAv1nkYCzKriNpmwQxovvdp13fyWMaw/s320/Image90+nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNnB8jU8HortAY8XtDg7LDYkAYzPc2LXKqvAq1TC4HaaRrYvZ91d_z_UxBR0UMNWgZ6Sy39ptWWZh7aIeOS5YhqZw2KqoedU0FuBvFMQEW5ap2fKtyoHC9osdBwFMI6CfCwiQtA/s1600-h/Image91+nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193514774179005650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNnB8jU8HortAY8XtDg7LDYkAYzPc2LXKqvAq1TC4HaaRrYvZ91d_z_UxBR0UMNWgZ6Sy39ptWWZh7aIeOS5YhqZw2KqoedU0FuBvFMQEW5ap2fKtyoHC9osdBwFMI6CfCwiQtA/s320/Image91+nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993300;">Uncle Billy Teaching English and The Cha-Cha in India and Tibet March 2008</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqlfRhC1PZGtoZpDDKjzsIrRBoD__FAMLBCEdm39OzF5uR4y4kWcB9Nhm46RQEup7FVidP7EK2I_3Rg0yVafa5WBkkJuH0PSKQz_ws-Uk0XGNihnj5MHS4qJ2NF33_UiPAUHEJQ/s1600-h/Image1000+nepal2.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#993300;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193511565838435506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqlfRhC1PZGtoZpDDKjzsIrRBoD__FAMLBCEdm39OzF5uR4y4kWcB9Nhm46RQEup7FVidP7EK2I_3Rg0yVafa5WBkkJuH0PSKQz_ws-Uk0XGNihnj5MHS4qJ2NF33_UiPAUHEJQ/s320/Image1000+nepal2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#993300;"><br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8O5DFB3zOaDWDHbbgTxqCqfA3LhyzotlPHKQSKTpcW4dVe23MSaF9dyGDW_xK-QIBc475-U_fHrM6iQNgJsfcA4GPdR2sTJOcwR_SyTW2D9MNV0FJOJmIyJv9hB7a_SbOz1zYg/s1600-h/Image100+nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193508774109693074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8O5DFB3zOaDWDHbbgTxqCqfA3LhyzotlPHKQSKTpcW4dVe23MSaF9dyGDW_xK-QIBc475-U_fHrM6iQNgJsfcA4GPdR2sTJOcwR_SyTW2D9MNV0FJOJmIyJv9hB7a_SbOz1zYg/s320/Image100+nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb1eQJbFSZn63D0QbLMFp4oorj0gMf4ckTrLfY2P0DjtxZjmOUuL0UZacK96fadEqzhwFMOOxG4sgq2PCa55nhFyAcEiMkDVRpoJa50BnmTOdEoBorbDpxfZKBmzhLibucEuDvA/s1600-h/Image00+nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193508778404660386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb1eQJbFSZn63D0QbLMFp4oorj0gMf4ckTrLfY2P0DjtxZjmOUuL0UZacK96fadEqzhwFMOOxG4sgq2PCa55nhFyAcEiMkDVRpoJa50BnmTOdEoBorbDpxfZKBmzhLibucEuDvA/s320/Image00+nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVHtks4ZrsD-UmAZ4D6CURqeyVCDFA24I8uAeyi92fmDyj81VKWZ1urLIl2Ge_HQOEThhlpp4RvsYxPW6lspDYyrl2wku4XoL-OWYxmKYjVt9otYcoloXZp8wNYEpcsLgpsvVOg/s1600-h/Image05+nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193506502071993378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVHtks4ZrsD-UmAZ4D6CURqeyVCDFA24I8uAeyi92fmDyj81VKWZ1urLIl2Ge_HQOEThhlpp4RvsYxPW6lspDYyrl2wku4XoL-OWYxmKYjVt9otYcoloXZp8wNYEpcsLgpsvVOg/s320/Image05+nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscvScyY6ozuaDNLxobTi1H1jq1AqnHC3LN6iDtBZ8Y1m27053XQrFTfQS3vJZKro_OxJau33NSPyfCSag8oE2fgRkz-H_c7UQKrDUjhhLA0ehQTGeyPpsCyHsD19vkDaUZ6_qEA/s1600-h/Image11+nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193506510661927986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscvScyY6ozuaDNLxobTi1H1jq1AqnHC3LN6iDtBZ8Y1m27053XQrFTfQS3vJZKro_OxJau33NSPyfCSag8oE2fgRkz-H_c7UQKrDUjhhLA0ehQTGeyPpsCyHsD19vkDaUZ6_qEA/s320/Image11+nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0nr6_gSfF_679ukbhhqJ-JVIiw7eVP6_tDqj1-itHnpJbTqixPLtZ3ZwgcXvHUxcRkTprV-RnCZ4bPWim6EMzghfdZocyi3ym9imWV6vWbEjob1NYgJJ2kd13vd8wHnC9W_Njg/s1600-h/Image16+nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193506514956895298" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0nr6_gSfF_679ukbhhqJ-JVIiw7eVP6_tDqj1-itHnpJbTqixPLtZ3ZwgcXvHUxcRkTprV-RnCZ4bPWim6EMzghfdZocyi3ym9imWV6vWbEjob1NYgJJ2kd13vd8wHnC9W_Njg/s320/Image16+nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> <em><span style="color:#666666;">Uncle Billy's Letter to Helen Reisler, Past Rotary District Governor of District 7230 while in India March 2008.</span></em></span><em><span style="color:#666666;"> </span></em></div><br /><br /><div><em><span style="color:#666666;"></span></em></div><br /><br /><div>Hello my dear: </div><br /><div>It was so nice to hear from you. Yes, I am in India along with all the unhappy excitement of the Tibet situation. I am working in Darumsala Town and 20 to 30 minute walk to Tibet Village where the Dalahi Lama lives as after the Communist China took over Tibet so the entire government set up their new life stylein what is known as Tibet Village, where the monks and the refugees from Tibet settled, they now want their country back and there is much Protest Marches and all kind of problems as you probably have read and heard over the TV; where else should Uncle Billy be right in middle of it all. Attended a wonderful meeting at the Tibet village along with our Volunteer team to hear first handed news as the speaker was the Dalhai Lamas Interpreter for l2 years. I am presently working with Red Cross Society Detox Center with Drug addicts of all ages. It is a sad type of work dealing with people who want to stop and are having difficulty adjusting trying to change their life style. I am teaching basic English, and guess what. Dancing Classes, They love it and perhaps in my own little way I am helping them they look at me like a grandfather figure. They greet me with hugs and a pat on the back, there are l5 men from ages 21 to 38 and many have no family and were drug sellers as well as tatters enjoy the powder smuggled in from Afghans, HIV is also a problem and now with Tibet and all the refugees along with their neighbor Pakistan there is much confusion. I live in an apartment building along with 21 other volunteers in the Mountains of Darumsala, from England, Philippines, Argentina, Scotland, Canada and USA, I will return to New Delahi March 27 and then on to the Women's College that your friend sent me the information on in another part of the country. 40 Rupees is equal to One US Dollar, the food is vegetarian for the most part and every once in a while a piece of chicken. Weekends, we are on our own so I have been seeing some fantastic Temples, but life here is at its lowest, poor,- no American type showers or toilets, slit trenches type Mid eastern toilets, bring your own toilet paper or use your hand as is done in many countries, hot water in boilers that are turned own centered around electricity and many nights the lights go out so we use candles or flashlights, the other volunteers are mostly college students and great fun, I can not find a Rotary club here but when bacm in Delahi I will try to make contact if at all possible, please Xerox this if possible and give a copy to McConnon, Andreas, Del Monte and any one else who might be interested in hearing from the Vagabond. I am having difficulty finding a Computer so I will try again at another time, Hope all is well and I will be back in April, that is if the Tibetan situation clears up, the best to all and stay well from the Rotary Vagabond, cha cha cha.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-90120568450975229102007-05-20T08:34:00.001-04:002008-06-14T06:05:53.691-04:00<span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;">How to Be A Volunteer and Enjoy Life, by Bill Delong</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">In order to be a good and honest volunteer you must enjoy helping others and in doing so you will be helping yourself. At times you will be placed in very strange and upsetting environments, the rubble of Kosovo, the horror of the earthquake in Colima, Mexico, to the floods of Germany, and the sadness of both Tsunami and Katrina, and lets not forget the World Trade Center, Ground Zero. My heart goes out to all of these sad disasters that I have been involved in; however, seeing the joys and similes on the faces of the (Diabetic Camp in the Republic of Georgia), where the children are enjoying sports, arts and crafts, and lets not forget the evening dances after dinner of the Cha Cha Cha and Disco. I have also found happiness and great fellowship at the various Senior Citizen Centers around the world in Singapore, Hong Kong, England, Australia, Israel, and our own Centers, right in the U.S.A.Volunteers are needed in all walks of life, and in view of the fact I have been extremely lucky to enjoy good health, I found after I lost all of my immediate family and my dear Mae, as they lived to be in their 70Ã’s and I have continued to reach my middle 80Ã’s, I decided fight then to do the right thing, as they would have wanted me to live life to the fullest, and so the only answer to their prayers, is to Help Others, and in doing so you are helping yourself. God Bless America, and may we all continue to think young and positive, and move on to the next level.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">The following listings are the various recommended organizations I have volunteered with and their contacts as I am receiving a great many telephone calls and e mails on.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><strong>How does one find out where to locate and sign up for volunteer work?</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">This is a very serious question to be answered, as I have found out through investigation the Pledges of Money, goes to the request the display in their appeals for support, but disappears into the wind. In some cases, I tell the organization, I will be very happy to support your program, and will give a sizeable amount of money, but only if I can become a volunteer in your cause. And then comes the hang up, or we do not have a volunteer program, we merely help the cause we are sponsoring. Then I hang up. Thank you but no thanks.Read this paragraph carefully.Volunteer programs both in the USA and around the world, you are expected to pay all expenses, such as Airfare, food lodging, however many organizations sets up home stays which include beds and breakfast, and in some cases meals, some organizations have apartments where the bedrooms are arranged with bunk beds and meals are included, others are very much like Backpacker and Youth Hostels, you can make your own meals , it depends on the organization. There are organization that have a special rate set up at a moderate price hotels, and they supply the motor transportation to and from the area you are working in. Church organizations as well as some Hospital and Orphanages have rooms for their volunteers, such as the basement dorms, or members of the church offer guest facilities.Out of pocket expenses vary, airfare, room and board can run anywhere from $2,500.00, on a two week program it can vary from $2,389 plus air, up to $3,000, plus air, it all depends on the country where you are going. USA programs, usually is transportation, and it varies on what type of food and lodging is arranged. I have worked with teams of 8 to 12 people, some are sponsored students or working in the name of an organization. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">When I go on a project, I do it , in the name of Rotary, and the Hotel Employees and the Restaurant Union Staff as they support my Uncle Billy’s Happy Dollar Fund, set up especially for volunteer work. On all volunteers programs at the end of the tour of duty you get a letter of thank you, or a congratulations certificate for your volunteering, along with your receipts, the IRS will accept it as a Tax Deduction for Charity.Volunteering in ones own state or city, does not require airfare, so you go by car, bus or subway, therefore, very little expense is involved other than your time, as I do volunteer work at the VA Medical Center Hospital NYC and some Senior Centers all locally, as well as Union programs.People who want to volunteer who can’t afford , the foreign third world countries, can apply to hospitals, churches, temples, and at their local City Halls as Mayor Offices have city volunteer projects and it is handled by their Public Relations office.Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis all have a net work of helping each other, so if one belongs to one of the organizations, it is just a matter of making contact. They are world wide, and I used them in making arrangements in Mongolia,Chernobyl, Mexico, Germany, China etc. YMCA and Youth Hostels in most countries have local volunteer programs, if one has time.Salvation Army is all over most of the world , and it is just a matter of finding out where their offices are located, Police, Fire Departments, and Hostel can furnish this information as to where they are located. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">In NYC it is on 14th St. and they have many volunteer programs locally and nationally, simply fill out an application and have an interview with their volunteer department.Not all programs I worked on are Team projects, such as Liberia, Romania, Albania, South Africa etc. They were all individually arranged however, if one wants to take a 100 day trip around the world, then SS Universe, Ship Board Education, run by the University of Pittsburgh is the experience of a life time, I took 3 voyages, 1990, 1995, and the year 2000, at all stops around the world , you can either do sightseeing or volunteer work with the students, all Seniors are Audit students, and stops in each country can vary from 3 to 5 days. Recommended adventuress seniors, they take 25 per voyage , Spring and Fall. Price varies according to cabin, contact University of Pittsburgh, Penna.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000000;">Contacts</span> </span></strong><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="color:#000000;">-Cross Cultural Solutions for brochuresTel 1-800-380-4777E mail </span><a href="mailto:info@crossculturalsoluntions.org"><span style="color:#000000;">info@crossculturalsoluntions.org</span></a><a href="mailto:Usca@I-tb-I.com"><span style="color:#000000;">Usca@I-tb-I.com</span></a><span style="color:#000000;"> for brochureTel 1-800-985-4864 ask for Lisa-Feed the Children for brochuresLarry Jones1 800 627 4556E mail </span><a href="mailto:derickbrock@feedthechildren.org"><span style="color:#000000;">derickbrock@feedthechildren.org</span></a></li><li><span style="color:#000000;">-Global VolunteersTeresa Iverson1 800 487 1074E mail </span><a href="http://www.globalvolunteers.org/"><span style="color:#000000;">http://www.globalvolunteers.org/</span></a></li><li><span style="color:#000000;">-World MissionsTimes Square Church NYCMake a personal call and fill out form-United Nations VolunteersUn VolunteersChristiana Kalakoutis-MelasFor Anne-Marie BekaertHead, Volunteer Resources</span></li><li><span style="color:#000000;">-Online VolunteeringDavid Morrison, Press NetaidSharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Director Un Volunteers</span><a href="http://www.netaid.org/"><span style="color:#000000;">http://www.netaid.org/</span></a><a href="mailto:Volunteering@netaid.org"><span style="color:#000000;">Volunteering@netaid.org</span></a></li><li><span style="color:#000000;">-Peace Corp1 800 424 8580-New York City Volunteer Expo 2006April 28th & 29th NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEKAdress at Gotham Hall 36th St. and Broadway New York CityCall 1 212 473 7875</span><br /></li></ul><span style="color:#000000;"></span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-9669196518383774582007-05-20T08:21:00.001-04:002008-12-09T15:39:29.514-05:00<span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;">A letter from Uncle Billy Helps While he went to Dominica, West Indies and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">stayed</span> to Help Clean-Up after Hurricane - July 2007</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;">Hello to all fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Rotarians</span> and friends, How lucky can one get, but if it had not been for the breakdown in the London Airport with the Terrorist threat and the weather that not only closed down Heath Row but JFK as well for several days I would be in Vietnam and possibly would have been caught up in the big flood that took the lives of over 40 people, and so the assignment was cancelled and turned over to The Dominica Island a beautiful area of Rain Forests, hills and valleys and a hot steaming lake that is a result of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">volcanoes</span> and a great tourist attraction. The island is 750 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">klm</span>s in diameter 47 Kilometers in length and 29 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">klms</span> in width and it is Hot Hot Hot with Rain down pores almost every hour and is rains so hard that one would think that the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Niagara</span> Falls was pouring down on you in heavy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">noisy</span> splashes that last from l5 to 20 minutes in constant rain, With the news of the NY Subways flooded is nothing compared to living here. The Capitol in Roseau and the population in from 69 to 70 thousand people with around 3500 are natives of the Island that dates back to the second Columbus voyage when he found the Island November 3. 1493 which was inhabited by the Carib Indians, Dominicans are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">descendants</span> of African Slaves and when they became an independent country from the British Rule in l998, became the happiest people the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">a main</span> source of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">income</span> is agriculture and tourist business as the Cruise ships stop here and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">tourists</span> have a chance to take tours of the old villages that are still the same in design and life style of old. No hot showers, out door toilets and showers, and cooking either out doors or in small kitchens with stoves heated by bottled <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Butane</span> Gas, much the same as was used in my apartment in Damascus Syria when I work in the American Embassy way back in l948 when Palestine became Israel. I am living at the Bionics Guest House and I am enjoying native cooking, my first time for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Banana</span> Soup and also fried for desert with honey, I am in the Catfish Lake Village, and I have been working in 5 different villages, I am working with Annie Edwards of Seattle who is here as a Peace Corps Volunteer I call her my boss as I go where she feels I can be of best use, I am also directed to so areas by the Village <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">women's</span> committee as there no Senior Centers here so I call on the elderly at their homes and cheer them up and do anything they would like don around the house, the average family has any where from 3 to 6 children so Grand Ma and Grand Pa have plenty on their hands while the parents are busy with work, I play games with the children, make puppets in arts and crafts and help teach conversational English as this Island all speaks English and some also speak <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Creole</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Spanish</span> I washed some of my clothing with cold water and then took a cold shower Chicken and fresh fish is available, as chickens are raised every where, the average salary is around 200 to 400 dollars a month and the rate of local money is 2.69 EC to one US Dollar. Many of the village homes are made of wood and tin roofs and some very nice houses made of cement block one story and painted in bright colors in villages all over the Island, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">this</span> being Saturday I am scheduled to take a tour of one of the original villages that is still living in the same manner as when Columbus discovered the island and is a big attraction with cruise ship tourists There is a group of 20 student volunteers here from VISIONS a group located in the area of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Harrisburg</span>, Pennsylvania, they are adding a play area and sport field as their project. I accompanied Annie on a 5 village trip as the Plan Parenthood IS VERY ACTIVE HERE , WE <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">DISTRIBUTED</span> BOXES OF CONDOMS TO THE SMALL VILLAGE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Kiost</span> to be sold or given to the natives as aids is on the rise, I have been making necklaces along with some blind young adults as part of the arts and crafts project, next week I will be going to the Capitol Roseau and will work in a Senior Home, so long for now at least you know I am safe and hope the Hurricane does not hit this island. By BY for now and God Bless You, I miss not being at the Diabetic camp this year in the Republic of Georgia since it has turned commercial for tourism they are looking for a new place, perhaps next year, Pat and Franklin were great fun to be with and by the way Andrei the candy your mother sent me is being <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">enjoyed</span> by both Young and Old Jose don’t work to hard with the threat of flooded subways how does one get around. The taxi business must be booming. God bless you all Love and Kisses from the Rotary Vagabond Uncle Billy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">DeLong</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#666666;">Uncle Billy Visits Guatemala in April 2007</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D1oSiu3cC9H_uvnVTnDMFcp9HRibMS0nDlnf_YU-m-B0v1O98NPVBmuANTVI9n5Xyac8q7LAPV9cnlBzRH3gmls6tLPdvMohThcd9dCPQMPsFXMZLkbmwJ9UqpQuzC2j89PQnA/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guatamalla.jpg5.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066617577177717026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0D1oSiu3cC9H_uvnVTnDMFcp9HRibMS0nDlnf_YU-m-B0v1O98NPVBmuANTVI9n5Xyac8q7LAPV9cnlBzRH3gmls6tLPdvMohThcd9dCPQMPsFXMZLkbmwJ9UqpQuzC2j89PQnA/s320/Uncle+billy+guatamalla.jpg5.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPRJK7KxGy9eTAfd84KHYvdZg-1bFDbLUxNSpYRvhS-MhI8GeynpXUMXVCivuzx0xiXdB74Zl6D5bExpihW8CvKo2RQdnZA8ZByE3pdfJ7oN3wPESp00DdLbOqRpWo8K5mKGU3w/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guatamalla22.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066617293709875474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPRJK7KxGy9eTAfd84KHYvdZg-1bFDbLUxNSpYRvhS-MhI8GeynpXUMXVCivuzx0xiXdB74Zl6D5bExpihW8CvKo2RQdnZA8ZByE3pdfJ7oN3wPESp00DdLbOqRpWo8K5mKGU3w/s320/Uncle+billy+guatamalla22.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJe5yCiuBl78MM46qYLFVwrIBUiSUIVtObtzi3VielIEa8tDX3CUVbF-HyLJMTK0WzReXhnkOFcvelmpJWji89Nbr-S_iST3rqJsoRnt4i1rwy3YV9kStOsxJ2eERQX1DaGhMJA/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guatamalla+19.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066617113321249026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJe5yCiuBl78MM46qYLFVwrIBUiSUIVtObtzi3VielIEa8tDX3CUVbF-HyLJMTK0WzReXhnkOFcvelmpJWji89Nbr-S_iST3rqJsoRnt4i1rwy3YV9kStOsxJ2eERQX1DaGhMJA/s320/Uncle+billy+guatamalla+19.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq9sLT-mLojZpbGC-Msno2b5dHRABAv3d2UNcbHZ56_pvg9qxGckthxrAmYoyvwal7CmMtZ6QOYxNcjvTU9bVJLYDYJ3lyq113zvsVrKWcLbwBXs2O-cS3H31L4oOq4sH2elPjw/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guatamalla+20.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066616988767197426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxq9sLT-mLojZpbGC-Msno2b5dHRABAv3d2UNcbHZ56_pvg9qxGckthxrAmYoyvwal7CmMtZ6QOYxNcjvTU9bVJLYDYJ3lyq113zvsVrKWcLbwBXs2O-cS3H31L4oOq4sH2elPjw/s320/Uncle+billy+guatamalla+20.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-70118080543530169222007-05-20T08:03:00.000-04:002008-12-09T15:39:30.165-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlY50vB8hVL6EZTJ4ZKf290uBoS1urXl9m-NXun9jm8EAR1Fwa4oNgwiQfgpzPBX313cbhVk9SwW-vGobmYvLGPi5T-L2YlBTP0YFuwmdKAM3rB-DaqVwCfnstHsbIjE8h4u43rw/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guat+10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066619754726136146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlY50vB8hVL6EZTJ4ZKf290uBoS1urXl9m-NXun9jm8EAR1Fwa4oNgwiQfgpzPBX313cbhVk9SwW-vGobmYvLGPi5T-L2YlBTP0YFuwmdKAM3rB-DaqVwCfnstHsbIjE8h4u43rw/s320/Uncle+billy+guat+10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzrMbe4KjzPRNPZzJNri-Blnzy2vM-Pz2FBaoymMZ3h5BLQjpNFN4HHa4pPDgFbKuDlhyphenhyphenM1PCyGIO4fM2mmgLkUphoxJOADHp_Du0Ph9uwQmTQjjefg9G1S5WsZPoQvaBHlaxzA/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guat+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066619617287182658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzrMbe4KjzPRNPZzJNri-Blnzy2vM-Pz2FBaoymMZ3h5BLQjpNFN4HHa4pPDgFbKuDlhyphenhyphenM1PCyGIO4fM2mmgLkUphoxJOADHp_Du0Ph9uwQmTQjjefg9G1S5WsZPoQvaBHlaxzA/s320/Uncle+billy+guat+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGEsRkRepKBHGl1Sb6dVtPbJhDauA9N7TbHKHAp3cKSd20lGDYSe60FFdKbYUXIcm-DYKwngtDvqWP3OwvSauLvWzH6O8xQSEIYE7WjZQ-asGUyCDNAh0LRsym4vyzmYIgCKrKA/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guat+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066619479848229170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGEsRkRepKBHGl1Sb6dVtPbJhDauA9N7TbHKHAp3cKSd20lGDYSe60FFdKbYUXIcm-DYKwngtDvqWP3OwvSauLvWzH6O8xQSEIYE7WjZQ-asGUyCDNAh0LRsym4vyzmYIgCKrKA/s320/Uncle+billy+guat+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAitvtWZkuuXmwcqKaMJTKMrd76Vy_9Vpv2ujYqPXPwiAX-CVHmngJjXKGsoQSTO8j1DkkftnTgipCVkHt7zWJLsTdxzZ-n_Qq_hypeE2rtKDRNwQVt1-gCk7xKOgbUAivZ189Q/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+guatamalla2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066612715274737858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAitvtWZkuuXmwcqKaMJTKMrd76Vy_9Vpv2ujYqPXPwiAX-CVHmngJjXKGsoQSTO8j1DkkftnTgipCVkHt7zWJLsTdxzZ-n_Qq_hypeE2rtKDRNwQVt1-gCk7xKOgbUAivZ189Q/s320/Uncle+billy+guatamalla2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM4-SPeIzLf-DNwguGEgM1CVkqw7GI3AecD36fEXJiJfMXyHUO4agyEogkQ1fn1-UxSNHdVIFHziLrZcC5PYowjutXFFqivHNdtAG93-0CUKFCZSOfn9a5HqtW4v0Hkbyt7lTvQ/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+Beirut6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066612474756569266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuM4-SPeIzLf-DNwguGEgM1CVkqw7GI3AecD36fEXJiJfMXyHUO4agyEogkQ1fn1-UxSNHdVIFHziLrZcC5PYowjutXFFqivHNdtAG93-0CUKFCZSOfn9a5HqtW4v0Hkbyt7lTvQ/s320/Uncle+billy+Beirut6.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-80301210961313440182007-02-11T06:29:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:39:31.144-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM7vZRfLuWpTsQj9PnbWLGZMNqsrs5Qtt8na53NFnB05riSt6xBxx93kSKxE1tP0CEWA3yQ65e-RnycCIMVf1BXmygXbeHNElh515pkdF7bH4RGdCameW44zU5SHwBtya-JxM4g/s1600-h/2-7-2007-77.jpg"></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;"><strong><em>A Letter From Uncle Billy While Working at Mother Teresa's Missionary of Charities in Brazil - April 2007</em></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em></span><br /><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:85%;">TO<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BAIN</span> (HELLO TO ALL). WHAT A MESS. SOME OF THE INTERNET CAFES HERE IN SALVADOR ARE NOT ABLE TO GET <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HOTMAIL</span>, SO I AM GOING CRAZY TRYING TO FIND ONE TO LET YOU ALL KNOW I AM IN TIP-TOP SHAPE WORKING LIKE A CRAZY VOLUNTEER. WHAT A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">WELCOMED</span> SURPRISE. I HAVE BEEN PLACED AT THE MOTHER TERESA MISSIONARY OF CHARITIES IN THE MALVINA'S DAY CARE CENTER AND IT HAS BROUGHT BACK SOME HAPPY MEMORIES WHEN I WORKED WITH THE MOTHER TRESA MISSION IN MADRAS INDIA IN 1990,1995 AND 2000 WHILE I WAS A "<em>SENIOR</em>" STUDENT ON THE "SS UNIVERSE" (THE WORLD'S ONLY FLOATING CAMPUS) RUN BY THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH. SHIPBOARD EDUCATION, AND ON MANY OF THE 100 DAYS AT SEA, AND WHILE AT THE VARIOUS STOPS, I DID VOLUNTEER CHARITY WORK FOR 5 TO 6 DAYS WHILE IN PORT.<br /><br /><em>THE SISTERS AT THIS SALVADOR DAY CARE CENTER WERE THRILLED TO MEET ME AND GAVE ME THE RED CARPET TREATMENT. MOTHER TERESA HAS STARTED THE FOUNDATION IN <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CALCUTTA</span> IN 1950 IN INDIA AND HAS BEEN IN BRAZIL SINCE 979 IN THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ALAGADOS</span> AREA. WE ARE ON DUTY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 8:30 AM TO 4:30. THERE ARE 50 PLUS CHILDREN FROM AGES 5 TO 12 AND IT COVERS </em></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#666666;">ALL <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">TYPES</span> OF DUTIES, SUCH AS FEEDING, CLEAN UP, ARTS AND CRAFTS, EXERCISES IN CONVERSATIONAL <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ENGLISA</span>, AND OF COURSE I TEACH <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">CHA</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">CHA</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">CHA</span>. THEY ALL LOVE TO DANCE.<br /><br />PRESENTLY THERE 20 VOLUNTEERS SOME ARE HERE FROM 2 TO 6 WEEKS, FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD INCLUDING LONDON, INDIA, AUSTRALIA, SCOTLAND, JAPAN AND THE USA. I AM THE OLDEST AND THE ONLY NEW YORKER. MOST OF THE VOLUNTEERS ARE SPONSORED STUDENTS FROM VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. WE also HAVE ONE <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">MARRIED</span> COUPLE AND THE AGES ARE FROM 18 TO 40 PRESENTLY, THEY ALL CALL ME UNCLE BILLY AND THE <span style="color:#ffff00;">LITTLE "TOTS"</span> ALL WANT TO BE HUGGED AND KISSED BY THEIR UNCLE. I FORBID THE WORD "POPS" - I AM NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE A GRANDPA. I HAVE MANY PHOTOS OF AFFECTION TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL.<br /><br />THIS AREA WAS PRIMARILY SETTLED FROM FORMER SLAVES OF VARIOUS PARTS OF AFRICA WHEN IT WAS RULED BY PORTUGAL IN THE 1800'S - MANY LONG YEARS AGO.<br /><br />I ATTENDED A ROTARY DINNER AT THE BEAUTIFUL <strong>MONTE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">PASCOAL</span> BAHIA</strong> HOTEL BY THE SEA. I WAS GIVEN 15 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">MINUTES,</span> AND SPOKE OF WHAT OUR CLUB IS DOING. THE REST OF THE TIME WAS FOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. THE PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB'S FATHER CAME FROM BEIRUT AND HIS MOTHER IS FROM SYRIA, SO THEY WERE ALL INTERESTED IN HEARING OF THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE MID-EAST. SINCE THEY READ MY ROTARY BLOG, THEY WERE PREPARED FOR MY VISIT (THANKS TO MY PUBLIC <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">RELATIONS</span> OFFICER AND STAFF: SIR THOMAS MCCONNON AND HIS SON JAMES). MY <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ADVISOR</span>, ANDREY, GOT MY MONEY EXCHANGED AT THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">HSBC</span> BANK - 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><strong>REALS</strong></span> EQUALS ONE DOLLAR. </span></em><br /><span style="color:#666666;"><em></em></span><br /></span><span style="color:#666666;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>THE VOLUNTEERS ARE GREAT AT NIGHTS WHEN WE ARE FREE SO I WENT TO A ROCK CONCERT . AND IN THE OLD CITY TO A BRAZILIAN CLUB OF SONGS AND RUMBA, TONIGHT I WILL BE GOING TO A LECTURE BY A COLLEGE GROUP OF BRAZILIAN <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">INTELLECTUALS</span>.<br /><br />BYE- BYE FOR NOW. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">TOMORROW</span> I WILL BE <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">DIAPERING</span> THE BABIES AS EVERY TIME I PICK THEM UP THEY MAKE A PEE PEE ON ME.<br /><br />STAY WELL.<br /><br />UNCLE BILLY, THE VAGABOND</em><em>.</em><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><em>Uncle Billy Visits Lebanon and visits many humanitarian projects financed </em></span><span style="font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><em>the Rotary Club of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Aley</span> and the Rotary Club of New York!<br /></em></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKA-Pp6j8TYdiHoIEf0IgvSEUnII1omY6GtYw-XYDgKJO2s6SCSzub84myeCwH4URydghhaZVSAS1DlRgltDoIb4j5wM1s_yH1IwA3bsCW29gouROP8yhr6xt6OIe-YMUONSE9Q/s1600-h/2-7-2007-72.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030246765797255138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKA-Pp6j8TYdiHoIEf0IgvSEUnII1omY6GtYw-XYDgKJO2s6SCSzub84myeCwH4URydghhaZVSAS1DlRgltDoIb4j5wM1s_yH1IwA3bsCW29gouROP8yhr6xt6OIe-YMUONSE9Q/s400/2-7-2007-72.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI3MD-i4TTya-7-oJ4zn8GphjmsM0tC0bFTp4Zi8L3-34V65q0wwUNQEclN74BQ1lBHG9kAdhypz1C-BQj5sJisV0_CoE1mrs4D31PnFNEHydODkudSsqcI1rAnHaOWwyf9B_3w/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+Beirut9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030243518801979346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnI3MD-i4TTya-7-oJ4zn8GphjmsM0tC0bFTp4Zi8L3-34V65q0wwUNQEclN74BQ1lBHG9kAdhypz1C-BQj5sJisV0_CoE1mrs4D31PnFNEHydODkudSsqcI1rAnHaOWwyf9B_3w/s400/Uncle+billy+Beirut9.jpg" border="0" /></a> In January 2007 Uncle Billy visited Beirut and spoke at the local Rotary Club. During the week he also visited the "Happy Child" Home for mentally challenged children that the Rotary Club of New York has provided financial assistance. He also visited the chemotherapy center of the Children's Cancer Center and distributed gifts donated from the Rotary Club of New York. Unfortunately, Uncle Billy had to shorten his trip because of the political instability in Beirut. During the week all roads to the Airport were closed. Tanks, armed soldiers were everywhere in preparation of the Civil War and there were fires all over the city.<br />"<span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><em><strong>It was a night never to be forgotten</strong></em></span>."<br /><br />But Uncle Billy did get to visit:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Two Rotary Clubs</li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Rotaracters</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Jounieh</span></li><li>Distribute food to 300 families</li><li>Help distribute medicine at 2 clinics</li><li>An Orphanage in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Aley</span></li><li>The National Rehabilitation and Development Center</li><li>Rehabilitation Center for Cluster Bomb Victims</li><li>Chat with General Consul William Gill Jr. American Embassy </li><li>Partying and Belly Dancing until 3AM with the legendary Lebanese Singer "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Sabah</span>"</li></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgbdI-Ax1FcjvJDReRa2-XoxNa1IfWJ3dGNbyuQ3pK_Yt8Hk2o41RarcXG_OGp8wdT9McOHsRQcYNiie52S-sZorQSDG_ONbSsDznot_ggPeKZH9c10EENRSLkN27N1yzDtocPQ/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+Beirut24.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030243304053614530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgbdI-Ax1FcjvJDReRa2-XoxNa1IfWJ3dGNbyuQ3pK_Yt8Hk2o41RarcXG_OGp8wdT9McOHsRQcYNiie52S-sZorQSDG_ONbSsDznot_ggPeKZH9c10EENRSLkN27N1yzDtocPQ/s400/Uncle+billy+Beirut24.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXigmDOhJYUo9wvmEJcMq-Vy2iAhjPbuqU95cj3KPNp3qJKiB0s5oWDXaCqoCnLLavg6RkWenAFYer4mYN2CAmTjVp3ad_73dIQ7JrPrmsS5fDWHbrhM1NjkKoz8WhHj4ywkAEQ/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+Beirut2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030238588179523506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXigmDOhJYUo9wvmEJcMq-Vy2iAhjPbuqU95cj3KPNp3qJKiB0s5oWDXaCqoCnLLavg6RkWenAFYer4mYN2CAmTjVp3ad_73dIQ7JrPrmsS5fDWHbrhM1NjkKoz8WhHj4ywkAEQ/s400/Uncle+billy+Beirut2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITRLplVfs-FZ2vHQKblhcjxtxlfvYqmOXcxolIEMkK_GmfPq1Ffj5bVG4B_IPgyG-5IF8lFLTm35cwT2fJfHxPi3vBrrgtt0WSLbPhylaGdoioOiEQg1KwIJEEtGrLD5zIJiEzw/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+Beirut.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5030238313301616546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITRLplVfs-FZ2vHQKblhcjxtxlfvYqmOXcxolIEMkK_GmfPq1Ffj5bVG4B_IPgyG-5IF8lFLTm35cwT2fJfHxPi3vBrrgtt0WSLbPhylaGdoioOiEQg1KwIJEEtGrLD5zIJiEzw/s400/Uncle+billy+Beirut.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1166350695935547182006-12-17T05:18:00.000-05:002007-02-17T13:14:31.826-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/240/2046/1600/302903/611%20035.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/240/2046/320/933831/611%20035.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>Before leaving for Lebanon to help with the injured children and elderly in the recent hostilities there, Uncle Billy (center) is dining with Past District Governor Paul Caruso at the Rotary Club of New York's Holiday Party. He plans to stay for 3 weeks. Students from a NYC high school where kind enough to perform at the luncheon.<br /></em><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/240/2046/1600/452746/611%20036.jpg"></a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1166350527409611362006-12-17T05:15:00.000-05:002008-12-09T15:39:31.655-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxgpClJpSyeXGz0nhAxnExE4PhIlvaXUxOAHL36udP6mXxb5ln01_9pSpj6XI_k6VYrKn9edxZd9EFFhf6gjc0mS3zCvuufbClw5119SfHQyMrPHNDIIiyx6KVWFhIOYS8Ly3wQ/s1600-h/3-22-2007-76.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049127589315116866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxgpClJpSyeXGz0nhAxnExE4PhIlvaXUxOAHL36udP6mXxb5ln01_9pSpj6XI_k6VYrKn9edxZd9EFFhf6gjc0mS3zCvuufbClw5119SfHQyMrPHNDIIiyx6KVWFhIOYS8Ly3wQ/s320/3-22-2007-76.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfAJlTYX8v5ZN-7UY483LG_XkYW15cFDXu8aZg4msSL6di-pPa__Fs5dYq_MSPrOTi4sf-bgreLNUbgsrAIyJhoxpTJM7zm0y4O-_P9PoXcbpisbk6sR_nAqfZkxr_zbnT7sG1A/s1600-h/3-22-2007-78.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049127310142242610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfAJlTYX8v5ZN-7UY483LG_XkYW15cFDXu8aZg4msSL6di-pPa__Fs5dYq_MSPrOTi4sf-bgreLNUbgsrAIyJhoxpTJM7zm0y4O-_P9PoXcbpisbk6sR_nAqfZkxr_zbnT7sG1A/s320/3-22-2007-78.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijsxuZNQsLfQ55rFO9KGzV1uLMctfarxivsjFnpD5YYy4RZTVgzNvITdVXv7hknfB2LEotak8yPGMSJ7g5M5SYysYMl2vlkzJddiECBXjHORP61s9ROdx__euCnHxBemZXXIcXHQ/s1600-h/3-22-2007-77.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Uncle Billy is featured in the <em>Rotarian</em> Magazine</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Transcribed from the <strong>"Rotarian"</strong> magazine<br />(Joy of Rotary)December 2006, Page 31<br /></em><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><em>Best Use of a Tip</em><br /><br /></span><strong>Don't forget</strong> to tip your waiter, especially if he's 86 years old and you 're at a wedding or bar mitzvah at a fancy New York City hotel. Bill De Long, a member of the Rotary Club of New York, donates all the gratitude's he earns waiting tables to Uncle Billy's Happy Dollar Fund, which he set up in 2002, when he decided to travel as an international volunteer. He's accumulated enough "happy dollars" to pay for volunteer trips to places ranging from Albania to China and Liberia to Ukraine. "When I go on a project, I do it in the name of Rotary and the hotel employees and restaurant union staff who support my Uncle Billy's Happy Dollar Fund" he says. "Bill De Long is the most unique Rotarian in our district and, I feel safe saying, in the Rotary world" says Helen Reisler, past governor of District 7230 (Bermuda; New York, USA). He buys a traditional costume wherever he volunteers, and when he returns, he gives a short report in full regalia to his club. "He certainly draws attention to Rotary and has brought in new members," Reisler says. </div></div></div></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1165676633237532922006-12-09T09:56:00.000-05:002006-12-17T05:45:22.110-05:00<span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Rotary Club of New York Celebrates Uncle Billy's Birthday.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/240/2046/1600/200654/611%20023.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/240/2046/320/205926/611%20023.jpg" border="0" /></a> Uncle Billy holds the "Birthday Cake" that the President of the Rotary Club of New York, James Bryant, presented for his 86th Birthday on Decemer 5, 2006 at the Princeton Club of New York.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1161242599176141102006-10-19T03:21:00.000-04:002006-10-21T14:04:02.960-04:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/Image2.0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/Image2.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><strong>Uncle Billy follows Rotary's Moto of "Service Above Self".</strong>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1161242469970278612006-10-19T03:20:00.000-04:002008-12-09T15:39:31.836-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZcwCglq7xYNhVkVmQlkela9nhdlX9FsmoBVNPHMEwTtBuHr4trgEXHN-AT8ZLxNQCW_Dv0ipbh0R1ogkSdrgbzG58ix4ZqdGeBWQAeYepywGRRAtGmAl4G3GJGiWzdFYERQA8A/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+Beirut6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066615257895377122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZcwCglq7xYNhVkVmQlkela9nhdlX9FsmoBVNPHMEwTtBuHr4trgEXHN-AT8ZLxNQCW_Dv0ipbh0R1ogkSdrgbzG58ix4ZqdGeBWQAeYepywGRRAtGmAl4G3GJGiWzdFYERQA8A/s320/Uncle+billy+Beirut6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-R5oCBb4H1GMw9xJVVYpZeatRUZSr-uY40dJC0BUfDHDoIiPzJNnl9VvE-V9jtxHL_STBvbng4zhX3lSbJjpAli5aWcZVQ7IZkI01fr-hmYQ3RuosllfPPQGP4gnPc-Z2Z_7eRQ/s1600-h/Uncle+billy+Beirut8.jpg"></a>Rotary has many benefits!<br /><div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/image001.png"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/image001.png" border="0" /></a></div>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1161238587682346672006-10-19T02:14:00.000-04:002006-12-17T05:52:44.176-05:00<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#990000;">Uncle Billy Visits Childrens Hospital in Chernobyl, Russia</span>.<br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#333333;">Several months later Bill was sent to Chernobyl, Russia</span> where he fed children without teeth who had been poisioned from the radiation fallout. His full of life personality brought them cheer as he helped many of them to walk and tried to give them some happiness in their last moments of life. It was in Chernobyl that he was inspired to write this emotional poem:<br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#660000;"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">“One By One”</span><br /><br /><br />Here I sit alone,<br />waiting for the children to come back home!<br />Their skeleton-bodies,<br />their hollowed eyes are filled with joy,<br />much to my surprise the world must know what I have seen is not to share,<br />but reality that can come and go,<br />the time has come for everyone to share their love,<br />one by one!<br /></div></em></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;"><em></em></span>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1159683345654490922006-10-01T02:13:00.000-04:002006-12-17T06:00:58.130-05:00<span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#660000;">A letter from Uncle Billy During His Visit In Moldovia, July 2006</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/Image4.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/Image4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/Image3.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/Image3.jpg" border="0" /></a>Hello to all NYC Rotarians, and friends as well as my Public relations director for Blogspot sir James. I am at complete loss I sent an email yesterday from this Headquarters of Movitative Moldova Assn, and when I check my email box, I found there was no copy of my message sent, now I don’t know if it went through or not, so I will start all over again. Yesterday I left Georgia as I completed my assignment at the ACTS Diabetic camp in Bakuriani and returned to Tbilisi to prepare to leave on the Georgia air flight to Kiev, Ukraine, and then on the sleeper train to Chisinau, Moldova. I was met at the train station by the President of Chisinau Rotary and the Director of Moldavia Camp. It was a sad good bye for the Diabetic camp as the boys and girls hugged me and kissed me good bye as the Uncle Billy Mask Parade which I sponsored along with Barbara Lang our new Rotarian who supported this event of which I honored her at the event as I gave out Award Prizes for the top Masks, first, second and third winners in the children’s divisions and three awards in the teen division as our Rotary contribution, will tell you all about the event when I return in late August. This is a completely new experience as I am staying in a house that was designed for disabled people who practically live in wheel chairs and are taught that they have reason to enjoy life as we see it, the kitchen is designed so they can cook and make food, the exercise and game room is designed for indoor activities, arts and crafts, disco music and wheel chair dancing from the hip up, shake shoulders turn the head about wave the hands and roll the eyes, as they are doing that I am dancing in front of them and they really cool and shout right on Uncle Billy, as most all know English and others understand it, the house is designed in ramps and levels so there is no problem getting about, ages are from 20 on up and all are happy and go lucky, some became conpasiated through accidents, bad surgery and by birth, but all seem to have adjusted to their life style through teachers, parents and volunteers. They look forward every year to vacation in Chisinau, as they come from all over the parts of Moldova, and in groups of five to ten for one week and then comes a new group throughout the summer months. The Rotary Club Government and UNISEF support the project along with Private Funding, this is my first for this type of program in all my years and I must say it is an education in its self. The guest are smart, well read and seem to have adjusted to their way of life, a program long to be remembered, next week comes a new group so I will be waiting to meet new friends, I am working with local volunteers and a volunteer from London, Tom Reder a young college student. I invited our American Ambassador to join me to the Rotary Dinner next week along with the Salvation Army and the Executive from this Organization Motivate Moldova SSN (Association). Bye for now I am off to a rock concert and then off to bed. Uncle Billy the Vagabond Rotarian<br />Note: This was my first experience with the Republic of Moldova Volunteer project Motivation Association (Independent Living Center and summer Camp for Children with Disabilities. This camp is a model of Foundation Motivation Romania, and I have heard of their great work, when I was working at Casa Sparanti Orphanage 2005 in the mountains of Transylvania.<br />When visiting the American Embassy, I had a chance to find our more details, as the Sweden Gov. supports this operation which supports children and young people from towns and villages surrounding Chisinau. The initiative focuses on rehabilitation and social adoption, and focuses on young people with mobility disability.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1147756265401314342006-05-16T01:10:00.001-04:002006-12-17T05:54:28.750-05:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/Imaget3.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/Imaget3.jpg" border="0" /><br /></a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1147756263391470702006-05-16T01:10:00.000-04:002006-12-18T09:42:04.383-05:00Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1147755969490129432006-05-16T01:04:00.000-04:002006-10-19T02:56:25.416-04:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/Imagec5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/Imagec5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/april%2006%20027.0.jpg"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;"></span></blockquote>A Letter From Uncle Billy When He Worked in China <blockquote></blockquote></span>"Knee How" to Governor Helen, President Bill, Sylvan, Giorgio, Andreas and all my Fellow Rotarians, here I sit after a day with the Diplomats at the American Embassy and what a day it was, I arrived with open arms, thanks to the letter I faxed to the Am. Ambassador Randt, unfortunately he is out of town on business, but after I talked with his secretary Caroline Katzin, I found out we were actually old friends as she sailed on the SS Universe ,the worlds only Floating Campus, Semester At Sea run by University of Pittsburgh, Pa. year 2000, l00 days at sea, and not only that but the Political Military Affairs Officer Paul Kreutzer was one of the Guest speakers when we docked in Hong Kong, It was like old home week back in my school days, as the conversation went on I found out he was in the middle east some years after my duties at the American Embassy in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Egypt as I worked there in l948 that was the year Israel became Palestine, as the day progressed, Dante Puradiso, Second Secretary and Political Officer said he worked for Volunteer for Israel a few years ago, I told him that I was also a Volunteer for Israel in l985,86 and 87 and I worked at Camp Julius Emmau l in the Tank Division and warehouse, well he also worked in a warehouse and we ended up knowing some of the same bosses in charge, I was also there when the Ethiopia Refugees settled in Asahkalon, worked in Kabutz and Moshov we simply could not believe this was happening , he also worked for the Peace Corps for 2 yrs.Now the Embassy Public Relations officer came by and she was in Albania during the time I was working for Bethany Christian Services Orphanage and later moved on to Kosovo as a Missionary with the Times Square Church with the World Missions ,just after the war had ended and the peace agreement was signed on clean up details Now Dante told me he was at the Embassy working during the Liberian conflict, when I told him I was working there with Mother Teresa Missionary of Charities at the Orphanage he nearly flipped, and when I told him that I was a house guest of Tony Hage , the Donald Trump of Liberia helping to re construct and rebuild \the country, Tony is a Lebanese and since I lived in the the Arab world he welcomed me as a brother, Dante is a personal friend of Tony so once again we could not believe we were living the past, Pamula McKee one of the top employees of the Salvation Army and I became friends and often would dined together at the American Embassy Cafe for the Embassy Employees we had an open invitation to drop by anytime he also new her, WHAT A STRANGE WORLD IT IS While enjoying a wonderful Lunch at the Embassy, people dropped by our table and it seemed like I was back working in the Embassy all over again. now this is a big week in Beijing it is PRS (Peoples Republic Congress) and I have not seen so many Police,and Soldiers guarding the central city, since I worked at the World Trade Center with the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen Tomorrow I will be attending the Rotary Lunch at the very elegant Kimpinski Hotel where at the last meeting there was well over l00 members, I have extended an invitation to Dante Paradiso to be my guest to the Rotary Meeting and he has excepted, the members are all big wheels and there is a great deal of contact and business conversation as this is the place to meet with the leaders in the advancement of China to day, It sure is more capitalistic than communist as I knew it when I lived under Joe Stalin working in Warsaw Poland, China is on its way to world leadership, construction every where, and business is booming, Reminds me of the l930s and how we moved on after WWII, I am sorry to say the dollar is not as strong as the British Pound, Euro or the Australian Dollar, saw the Opera the other night, and the Acrobatic Show is out of this world, bought a DVD it is that good I want to entertain all my friends with a night of China Broadway Style. I am at an Internet cafe and my time is up see you all next Tuesday looking very royal, so Billy De DRAGON MUST SIGN OFF, OH YES, I WAS ON channel TV 3 NEWS, AS THE NEWS REPORTER WAS DOING INTERVIEWS AT THE BUS STATION ON VISITING TOURISTS DURING THE Peoples Republic of China Conference. And at the Youth Hostel we have the two Reporters from Norway, and they wanted to meet and interview the USA DRAGON VISITOR as everyone calls me Uncle Billy De Dragon, that's what happens when you have LONG for a name in CHINA so now I am the Rotary Vagabond Dragon how about that closing with, WHAT A SMALL WORLD I LIVE IN, BY BY SEE YOU SOON.<br /><br /><br /><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/april%2006%20027.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1147754721188049482006-05-16T00:44:00.000-04:002006-10-19T03:16:25.700-04:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/Imagec2.0.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/Imagec2.0.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><em><br />Hello Hello Knee How fron XIAN. time will not permit me to give you the details, but this is one of the most unusual Volunteer Projects I have worked on in Years, educational, challenging and adventureous, I am working with China University Student Volunteers along with world wide Student Volunteers, and I might add in view of the fact that I am the oldest Volunteer they ever worked with, who has had 3 voyages with the only floating campuis SAS ,Semester At Sea , the SS Universe Shipboard education l00 days around the world sponsored by the University of Pittsburg. whitch stops at both Hongkong and Shanghai for 5 days each they all knew of the program, so I was not only in the Inn group I WAS COOL MAN COOL. i AM WORKING IN THE MORNING WITH dOWNSYNDRUM STUDENTS FROM AGE 15 TO 30 YRS at A PRIVATE PAYING SCHOOL 40 STUDENTS AND THE PARENTS PAY 250 yUAN PER MONTH INCLUDING ONE NOON MEAL AND TRAINING 8 yuan IS EQUAL TO ONE DOLLAR USA average salary is any where from 800 to l000 Yuan per month and everything is cheap by our standards, similar to the depression years when my father made l7 dollrs a week. the afternoons are spent working with student volunteers at the HISTORY MUSEUM until 4 PM back to the living quarters and the nights are free we as a team go to DISCOS, Theatre and the YHA (Youth Hostels Assn) of whitch I am a NYC Member along with ELDER HOSTELS, so I am accepted with open arms, and the guests are from all over the world, Backpacking students so I am in my second childhood. I am preparing a more detailed report for NYC Rotary for MAX and Tom. Valentine evening was celebrated at a XIAN DISCO watching girls dance around a Pole, this may be a Communist run government but it sure has taken on the look of Democratic Capotilistic society, people seem to be happy, and along with the student volunteers we are all teaching conversational chit chat. by by for now I am looking for Madam Butterfly, by the way the excersice program tomarrow I will be teching the teens the CHA CHA they all want to lear the western dance styles. so long for now the ROTARY VAGABOND/ <span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;">Uncle Billy's Letter from Katrina</span> Hello to all Rotarians,<br />Hello to all Rotarians,<br />So sorry I was unable to respond. No computers, no telephones, etc. is on working 12 to 14 hrs a day, dead tired. When I return I want to be cheered up. Attending Bay St Louis rotary noon meeting in a church with no steeple and I took a box of beef jerkies as my contribution for their lunch from Salvation Army, no desert but lots of laughs. Report of the day at the meeting unhappy with FEMA problems with insurance company and pro and con conversation as to the handling of the hurricane by the White house.<br />That's all for now,<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;"><blockquote><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;"></span></blockquote>Bill Delong Visits Thialand 3/13/2005</span> <blockquote></blockquote><br />Hello to all Rotarians. I am very busy working in the villages and I might add Poverty is very high, the Medical Team I am working with is superb and the Children all seem to be happy however, they do not know a life style that is seen in the USA one American dollar buys 39 BAD and the average pay check I am told is around l50 dollars a month the village life is very run down and little electric, no bathing facilities we know of and squat toilets no paper and many flies. Food is simple lost of rice and my first experience with eating Ant eggs, not bad with jungle leaves and hot broth the Princeton should look into it as a Specialty. Tonight I am going to the 8 PM Rotary meeting they are all excited in hearing about our club, the elite live rather well and are most gracious, we have met the political leaders, business men and the Village People who are full of smiles and welcome our work with open arms Take care will see you in April Vagabond Billy, PS Andrea I had my air ticket sent to our Rotary office for Romania.<br />Bill Delong 4/10</em>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28182066.post-1147751333461195242006-05-15T23:47:00.000-04:002006-10-21T14:16:09.690-04:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/Imaget.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/Imaget.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><ul><li><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/1600/april%2006%20025.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/240/2046/320/april%2006%20025.0.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#660000;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span>How to Be A Volunteer and Enjoy Life, <span style="font-size:85%;">by Bill Delong</span></span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">In order to be a good and honest volunteer you must enjoy helping others and in doing so you will be helping yourself. At times you will be placed in very strange and upsetting environments, the rubble of Kosovo, the horror of the earthquake in Colima, Mexico, to the floods of Germany, and the sadness of both Tsunami and Katrina, and lets not forget the World Trade Center, Ground Zero. My heart goes out to all of these sad disasters that I have been involved in; however, seeing the joys and similes on the faces of the (Diabetic Camp in the Republic of Georgia), where the children are enjoying sports, arts and crafts, and lets not forget the evening dances after dinner of the Cha Cha Cha and Disco. I have also found happiness and great fellowship at the various Senior Citizen Centers around the world in Singapore, Hong Kong, England, Australia, Israel, and our own Centers, right in the U.S.A.<br />Volunteers are needed in all walks of life, and in view of the fact I have been extremely lucky to enjoy good health, I found after I lost all of my immediate family and my dear Mae, as they lived to be in their 70Ã’s and I have continued to reach my middle 80Ã’s, I decided fight then to do the right thing, as they would have wanted me to live life to the fullest, and so the only answer to their prayers, is to Help Others, and in doing so you are helping yourself. God Bless America, and may we all continue to think young and positive, and move on to the next level.<br />The following listings are the various recommended organizations I have volunteered with and their contacts as I am receiving a great many telephone calls and e mails on, How does one find out where to locate and sign up for volunteer work.<br />This is a very serious question to be answered, as I have found out through investigation the Pledges of Money, goes to the request the display in their appeals for support, but disappears into the wind. In some cases, I tell the organization, I will be very happy to support your program, and will give a sizeable amount of money, but only if I can become a volunteer in your cause. And then comes the hang up, or we do not have a volunteer program, we merely help the cause we are sponsoring. Then I hang up. Thank you but no thanks.<br />Read this paragraph carefully.<br />Volunteer programs both in the USA and around the world, you are expected to pay all expenses, such as Airfare, food lodging, however many organizations sets up home stays which include beds and breakfast, and in some cases meals, some organizations have apartments where the bedrooms are arranged with bunk beds and meals are included, others are very much like Backpacker and Youth Hostels, you can make your own meals , it depends on the organization. There are organization that have a special rate set up at a moderate price hotels, and they supply the motor transportation to and from the area you are working in. Church organizations as well as some Hospital and Orphanages have rooms for their volunteers, such as the basement dorms, or members of the church offer guest facilities.<br />Out of pocket expenses vary, airfare, room and board can run anywhere from $2,500.00, on a two week program it can vary from $2,389 plus air, up to $3,000, plus air, it all depends on the country where you are going. USA programs, usually is transportation, and it varies on what type of food and lodging is arranged. I have worked with teams of 8 to 12 people, some are sponsored students or working in the name of an organization. When I go on a project, I do it , in the name of Rotary, and the Hotel Employees and the Restaurant Union Staff as they support my Uncle BillyÃ’s Happy Dollar Fund, set up especially for volunteer work.<br />On all volunteers programs at the end of the tour of duty you get a letter of thank you, or a congratulations certificate for your volunteering, along with your receipts, the IRS will accept it as a Tax Deduction for Charity.<br />Volunteering in ones own state or city, does not require airfare, so you go by car, bus or subway, therefore, very little expense is involved other than your time, as I do volunteer work at the VA Medical Center Hospital NYC and some Senior Centers all locally, as well as Union programs.<br />People who want to volunteer who can’t afford , the foreign third world countries, can apply to hospitals, churches, temples, and at their local City Halls as Mayor Offices have city volunteer projects and it is handled by their Public Relations office.<br />Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis all have a net work of helping each other, so if one belongs to one of the organizations, it is just a matter of making contact. They are world wide, and I used them in making arrangements in Mongolia,<br />Chernobyl, Mexico, Germany, China etc. YMCA and Youth Hostels in most countries have local volunteer programs, if one has time.<br />Salvation Army is all over most of the world , and it is just a matter of finding out where their offices are located, Police, Fire Departments, and Hostel can furnish this information as to where they are located. In NYC it is on 14th St. and they have many volunteer programs locally and nationally, simply fill out an application and have an interview with their volunteer department.<br />Not all programs I worked on are Team projects, such as Liberia, Romania, Albania, South Africa etc. They were all individually arranged however, if one wants to take a 100 day trip around the world, then SS Universe, Ship Board Education, run by the University of Pittsburgh is the experience of a life time, I took 3 voyages, 1990, 1995, and the year 2000, at all stops around the world , you can either do sightseeing or volunteer work with the students, all Seniors are Audit students, and stops in each country can vary from 3 to 5 days. Recommended adventuress seniors, they take 25 per voyage , Spring and Fall. Price varies according to cabin, contact University of Pittsburgh, Penna.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;">Contacts</span><br />-Cross Cultural Solutions for brochures<br />Tel 1-800-380-4777<br />E mail </span><a href="mailto:info@crossculturalsoluntions.org">info@crossculturalsoluntions.org</a><br /><a href="mailto:Usca@I-tb-I.com">Usca@I-tb-I.com</a> for brochure<br />Tel 1-800-985-4864 ask for Lisa<br />-Feed the Children for brochures<br />Larry Jones<br />1 800 627 4556<br />E mail <a href="mailto:derickbrock@feedthechildren.org">derickbrock@feedthechildren.org</a><br />-Global Volunteers<br />Teresa Iverson<br />1 800 487 1074<br />E mail <a href="http://www.globalvolunteers.org/">http://www.globalvolunteers.org/</a><br />-World Missions<br />Times Square Church NYC<br />Make a personal call and fill out form<br />-United Nations Volunteers<br />Un Volunteers<br />Christiana Kalakoutis-Melas<br />For Anne-Marie Bekaert<br />Head, Volunteer Resources<br />-Online Volunteering<br />David Morrison, Press Netaid<br />Sharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Director Un Volunteers<br /><a href="http://www.netaid.org/">http://www.netaid.org/</a><br /><a href="mailto:Volunteering@netaid.org">Volunteering@netaid.org</a><br />-Peace Corp<br />1 800 424 8580<br /><br />-New York City Volunteer Expo 2006<br />April 28th & 29th NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK<br />Adress at Gotham Hall 36th St. and Broadway New York City<br />Call 1 212 473 7875<br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;"></em></span>If all is not enough, Bill gives all his tips from working as the oldest union waiter at Shea Stadium's Diamond Club, to support volunteer programs at home and around the world. It is his life long goal to set up “Uncle Billy's Happy Dollar Fund” to help orphans and senior citizens. On September 11, 2002 the first anniversity of 911, Bill attented a memorial breakfast at the Regent Wall Street, then proceeded to Ground Zero where he laid a bouquet of Roses at the site in memory of all wait staff, espically those he personaly knew. He mourned the loss of not only their lives, but the lives of almost 3,000 people.<br />He recalled what it was like to have worked in the building himself and thought as did everyone in the city of New York how lucky they were to have kept their lives and escaped this, the greatest calamity to have occurred on US soil since Pearl Harbor.<br />Bill still remembers all the companies he worked for when he freelanced part time as the a temp in the towers. He stands and wonders how many people did he brush by, meet in the elevator , have cup of coffee or a brief chat with, that are now gone and says a silent prayer sending his love towards Heaven, helped of course, by the countless religious leaders at Ground Zero and around the world who prayed for World Peace.<br />In fact, in the that shopping plaza one man will never be forgotten. He took the stock of sneakers from his store and tossed them into the public area instructing women with heels to dawn them so they can run swiftly to safety. We may never know all the acts of heroism that happened that day, were the union waiters giving out water to the rescue workers ? Did they help someone else live and they died? We may never know. But, this we do know, we miss them all and we will never forget them!<br />Nor will we ever forget Harold Bill De Long’s Heroism heading to Ground Zero an octogenarian at the time, whe he could have been sitting home watching everything happen on TV. Instead, he was making his way full steam ahead to do what he could. Being put to work in the Salvation Army Tent, he made beds, cleaned, gave out exercise programs , but most of all he brought cheer by taking a rubber latex glove, blowing it up into a balloon and waving it as welcoming hand from NY. He gave his love.<br />In 2002, Bill’s heroism was honored when the New York Post presented him with the “Ambassador's’s Medal” which was well deserved. He was also given a Senate Seat in the World Nations Congress where leaders from all over the world met to dicuss important issues. Bill’s forum is “Seniors in the workforce”. He strives to keep seniors active and as vibrant as he is.<br />For his lifelong achievements, the ABI, American Biographical Institue has welcomed him into their Hall of Fame as the First Waiter in America. The entire Nation and the World welcomes and will always remember the good he shows everywhere espescialy during 911. We will never forget him and he will never be forgotten.</li></ul>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17640307802683760953noreply@blogger.com0