Help Bill Fury (Again)
Donation protected
The above photo by Leo Hetzel is of Bill Fury surfing at Huntington Beach back in the day. A year ago I started a Gofundme appeal to help Bill who is partially disabled and had become homeless. I set a goal of 1,800.00 which we exceeded - collecting about 2,400.00. (Thanks to all who helped.) Much of that money went for temporary housing and food until, by sheer chance, we found an affordable share rental in a Huntington Beach mobile home park. The rest of the funds went for a better walker, bath chair, table, microwave and other household items. This allowed Bill to live independently rather than going to an assisted living facility. Unfortunately his landlady turned out to be prone to temperamental outbursts - and there were other odd behaviors on her part as well. This month she gave Bill a 30 day notice, citing "irreconcilable differences" as the reason, rather than non-payment of rent. (Bill always paid - and in cash as she required.) I could go into more detail, but suffice it to say that the fault was not with Bill.
The bottom line is that as of February 3rd, 2019 Bill will again become homeless. Finding him a suitable share rental that he can both afford and that will meet his needs will be exceedingly difficult in Orange County's high priced rental market. And unfortunately, even finding an assisted living facility in OC that will accept his modest SSI income will be hard. (There are only three such facilities that I know of and they often do not have openings.) However myself and other friends of Bill (as well as Bill himself) are doing our best to locate something. In the meantime Bill will again need some help.
Donations are welcome but I am also asking if anyone has any ideas on a place for Bill. After living in his van for many years Bill is used to compact spaces. But since he no longer drives the van option is out. All he needs is a space to sleep, do simple (microwave) cooking, accommodate a small writing table and access to a bathroom. This could be a garage, a space in a warehouse (or business) - or something else creative. He likes being in Orange County where he grew up and where much of his surfing career took place. But he is willing to move elsewhere if need be. If anyone has any ideas they can contact me (Bob Drury) directly by clicking on the envelope next to my name.
The new goal is 5,000, which includes the amount that was raised and spent last year. I am assuming we will need approximately the same this year (about 2,500.00). Hopefully we will find a more permanent place for Bill to stay.
Bill's main interest these days is to finish his memoir. This covers his family in Southern California going back to the 1920's and with some early Hollywood connections. It also covers his own involvement in surf culture, beginning in the 1950's.
For those not familiar with Bill Fury, I recommend an article by Corky Carroll in the Orange County Register titled: "The Elegance of Bill Fury". This is available on line.
The bottom line is that as of February 3rd, 2019 Bill will again become homeless. Finding him a suitable share rental that he can both afford and that will meet his needs will be exceedingly difficult in Orange County's high priced rental market. And unfortunately, even finding an assisted living facility in OC that will accept his modest SSI income will be hard. (There are only three such facilities that I know of and they often do not have openings.) However myself and other friends of Bill (as well as Bill himself) are doing our best to locate something. In the meantime Bill will again need some help.
Donations are welcome but I am also asking if anyone has any ideas on a place for Bill. After living in his van for many years Bill is used to compact spaces. But since he no longer drives the van option is out. All he needs is a space to sleep, do simple (microwave) cooking, accommodate a small writing table and access to a bathroom. This could be a garage, a space in a warehouse (or business) - or something else creative. He likes being in Orange County where he grew up and where much of his surfing career took place. But he is willing to move elsewhere if need be. If anyone has any ideas they can contact me (Bob Drury) directly by clicking on the envelope next to my name.
The new goal is 5,000, which includes the amount that was raised and spent last year. I am assuming we will need approximately the same this year (about 2,500.00). Hopefully we will find a more permanent place for Bill to stay.
Bill's main interest these days is to finish his memoir. This covers his family in Southern California going back to the 1920's and with some early Hollywood connections. It also covers his own involvement in surf culture, beginning in the 1950's.
For those not familiar with Bill Fury, I recommend an article by Corky Carroll in the Orange County Register titled: "The Elegance of Bill Fury". This is available on line.
Organizer
Bob Drury
Organizer
Long Beach, CA
