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

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.


May Uncle Billy rest in peace and please include him in your prayers.


Members of the Rotary Club of New York



"UNCLE BILLY"

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.





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.
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.

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.

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,

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.

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.”

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.”
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.



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,
Helen Reisler

May 2006
September 2006
October 2006
December 2006
February 2007
May 2007
April 2008
June 2008


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First Meeting Uncle Billy
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

Click here for the follwing chapters:
May 2006
September 2006
October 2006
December 2006
February 2007
May 2007
April 2008
June 2008

Transcript form a local newpaper

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.

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.

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.

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"Uncle Billy's" letter from Vietnam.... January and February 2009
NY Rotary Member Bill DeLong sends greetings from Vietnam. Hello 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 DUC DUC 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 English 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 tid-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 Volunteer in both countries I am hoping the people I know and worked with are still alive. 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. I saw it years ago and I hear the new show is terrific. 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 DeDragon 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 American 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. Photo: Uncle Billy helping with a Special education School at the Siason Zoo

AAPR Bulletin - Reprint November 1, 2008

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.
So instead, DeLong—known to those he serves as “Uncle Billy”—will travel to Vietnam in December to help feed street kids.
“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.
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.
“No matter how old you are, you can get out and help others,” he says.

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.

Hello to all Rotarians,

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.

Uncle Billy in India and Tibet - March 2008

Uncle Billy Teaching English and The Cha-Cha in India and Tibet March 2008

Uncle Billy's Letter to Helen Reisler, Past Rotary District Governor of District 7230 while in India March 2008.

Hello my dear:

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.

How to Be A Volunteer and Enjoy Life, by Bill Delong

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 70Â’s and I have continued to reach my middle 80Â’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.
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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.
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How does one find out where to locate and sign up for volunteer work?

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.
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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.

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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.

Contacts

• -Cross Cultural Solutions for brochuresTel 1-800-380-4777E mail info@crossculturalsoluntions.orgUsca@I-tb-I.com for brochureTel 1-800-985-4864 ask for Lisa-Feed the Children for brochuresLarry Jones1 800 627 4556E mail derickbrock@feedthechildren.org
• -Global VolunteersTeresa Iverson1 800 487 1074E mail http://www.globalvolunteers.org/
• -World MissionsTimes Square Church NYCMake a personal call and fill out form-United Nations VolunteersUn VolunteersChristiana Kalakoutis-MelasFor Anne-Marie BekaertHead, Volunteer Resources
• -Online VolunteeringDavid Morrison, Press NetaidSharon Capeling-Alakija, Executive Director Un Volunteershttp://www.netaid.org/Volunteering@netaid.org
• -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
  

A letter from Uncle Billy Helps While he went to Dominica, West Indies and stayed to Help Clean-Up after Hurricane - July 2007
Hello to all fellow Rotarians 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 volcanoes and a great tourist attraction. The island is 750 klms in diameter 47 Kilometers in length and 29 klms 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 Niagara Falls was pouring down on you in heavy noisy 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 descendants of African Slaves and when they became an independent country from the British Rule in l998, became the happiest people the a main source of income is agriculture and tourist business as the Cruise ships stop here and the tourists 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 Butane 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 Banana 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 women's 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 Creole/Spanish 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, this 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 Harrisburg, 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 DISTRIBUTED BOXES OF CONDOMS TO THE SMALL VILLAGE Kiost 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 enjoyed 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 DeLong.




Uncle Billy Visits Guatemala in April 2007

A Letter From Uncle Billy While Working at Mother Teresa's Missionary of Charities in Brazil - April 2007

TOBAIN (HELLO TO ALL). WHAT A MESS. SOME OF THE INTERNET CAFES HERE IN SALVADOR ARE NOT ABLE TO GET HOTMAIL, 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 WELCOMED 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 "SENIOR" 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.

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 CALCUTTA IN 1950 IN INDIA AND HAS BEEN IN BRAZIL SINCE 979 IN THE ALAGADOS 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 ALL TYPES OF DUTIES, SUCH AS FEEDING, CLEAN UP, ARTS AND CRAFTS, EXERCISES IN CONVERSATIONAL ENGLISA, AND OF COURSE I TEACH CHA CHA CHA. THEY ALL LOVE TO DANCE.

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 MARRIED COUPLE AND THE AGES ARE FROM 18 TO 40 PRESENTLY, THEY ALL CALL ME UNCLE BILLY AND THE LITTLE "TOTS" 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.

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.

I ATTENDED A ROTARY DINNER AT THE BEAUTIFUL MONTE PASCOAL BAHIA HOTEL BY THE SEA. I WAS GIVEN 15 MINUTES, 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 RELATIONS OFFICER AND STAFF: SIR THOMAS MCCONNON AND HIS SON JAMES). MY ADVISOR, ANDREY, GOT MY MONEY EXCHANGED AT THE HSBC BANK - 2 REALS EQUALS ONE DOLLAR.

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 INTELLECTUALS.

BYE- BYE FOR NOW. TOMORROW I WILL BE DIAPERING THE BABIES AS EVERY TIME I PICK THEM UP THEY MAKE A PEE PEE ON ME.

STAY WELL.

UNCLE BILLY, THE VAGABOND.


Uncle Billy Visits Lebanon and visits many humanitarian projects financed the Rotary Club of Aley and the Rotary Club of New York!


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.
"It was a night never to be forgotten."

But Uncle Billy did get to visit:

• Two Rotary Clubs
• Rotaracters in Jounieh
• Distribute food to 300 families
• Help distribute medicine at 2 clinics
• An Orphanage in Aley
• The National Rehabilitation and Development Center
• Rehabilitation Center for Cluster Bomb Victims
• Chat with General Consul William Gill Jr. American Embassy
• Partying and Belly Dancing until 3AM with the legendary Lebanese Singer "Sabah"

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.

Uncle Billy is featured in the Rotarian Magazine

Transcribed from the "Rotarian" magazine
(Joy of Rotary)December 2006, Page 31



Best Use of a Tip

Don't forget 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.