By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 11/27/03)

When Thelma Billy moved to the Washington area nine years ago, she began making friends among the homeless. One of her first friends was Lawrence, whom she met in Lafayette Park as she was heading home for the evening. Lawrence was picking his dinner out of a trash can.

"He was eating chicken bones," Billy said. "I told him I’d come back."

The next day, Billy returned to Lafayette Square to bring Lawrence a hot meal. Billy returned regularly, and within a short time was preparing hot meals at her home in Fairfax for hundreds of homeless in the District.

At first Billy said her husband George was concerned for her safety. However, he soon began leaving her with extra money to purchase groceries for the homeless. When Lawrence was found frozen to death, Billy began distributing blankets whenever she could afford them. In a few short years, Billy’s service to the poor has grown exponentially.

"They all know me," Billy said. "They even know my car."

Known among the homeless as "Mama," Billy regularly delivers hot meals to an average of 200 people on Wednesday afternoons. On Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, the numbers multiply.

With the help of St. Leo parishioners, Robinson High School students, Paul VI Catholic High School students and the Knights of Columbus Diamond Council, Billy and her husband George prepared home-cooked meals for nearly 1,000 people last week. More than 80 volunteers helped deliver countless turkeys, chicken, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, beans and dessert to a host of homeless people downtown.

Billy, a native of the Philippines, lives in Fairfax with her husband George and her two children, Elizabeth, 18, and George, 13.

"I have been very blessed in my own life," Billy said. "In my country I was very poor, Now I have plenty, and lots of friends. This is a way to share the blessing." On some occasions, Billy has taken in homeless who cannot care for themselves. Recently, she said, a blind man from Ethiopia who lived with the Billys for five years had to go into a nursing home. Up until several months ago, the Billys paid rent for several people who were transitioning out of a shelter.

"He needed professional care," Billy said. "So we found a nursing home for him and he is being taken care of."

Like Mother Teresa, Billy’s role model, her service to the poor in the area has not been without criticism or controversy. Several years ago, she was arrested and jailed for distributing food without a license. By the time her husband came to bail her out, the story made the local news. As a result, Billy received letters of apology from former President Bill Clinton and other government officials, along with a much-needed new oven from Channel 4.

In addition, the story brought Billy’s work to the attention of Food for Others, the Food Bank and Knights of Columbus and countless individuals in the community looking for way to serve others. Although Billy never accepts money, donations of food, clothing and gifts for the poor pour in from a variety of sources. The Park Department of Fairfax donated 15 turkeys for Thanksgiving, and the Safeway near the Billy’s home donates day-old bread and cakes from their bakery regularly.

In addition to plastic-ware, plates and food, Billy said many people in the community have begun dropping off blankets, sleeping bags and winter clothing.

"I always get what I need," Billy said. "God provides when I run out."

Two women recently contributed 1,400 Christmas gifts for the homeless while another family dropped off personal care items in brown bags to distribute along with meals.

When Billy’s oven broke down on Friday, several volunteered to cook stuffing and heat food in their own homes. Now, she said, she is hoping for another new oven, her fifth since she began cooking for the homeless.

Teenagers have also begun to donate service hours to help Billy around the holidays. With the supervision of a few mothers and Thelma, groups of teens prepared vegetables, buttered bread, washed dishes and wrapped plastic utensils in napkins on Friday. When George Billy arrived home from work last Friday, he was greeted by teenagers from Robinson High School, Paul VI and St. Leo’s confirmation classes.

"It’s great when the kids are here to help," Billy said. "They are a joy to have around."
On Saturday, many returned to distribute food. Many will be back to help again the week before Christmas.

Jane Elfring, a religion teacher at Paul VI, said helping Billy feed the homeless has become very popular among her students.

"Last year we had 10 kids come out to help. This year we have more than 40," she said.

Juniors, seniors and freshman enjoy the day. One junior who wished to remain anonymous said, "I am trying to give back some of what God has given me."