Today Not Tomorrow, Inc., a local non-profit dedicated to strengthening families and informing and educating young people, held a press conference on Aug. 6 to announce the launch of a Play, Learn, Grow Mobile Unit, affectionately named the “Billy Bus” after William “Billy” McDonald, a beloved Madison community member who passed away on Aug. 11, 2020.
The emcee for the press conference was Betty Banks, executive director of Today Not Tomorrow, Inc. and sister of Billy McDonald.
“The Billy Bus is a playmobile that will be traveling around the community setting up playtimes for parents and helping parents understand the importance of playing,” Banks said. “Billy McDonald was was a lover of life, sports, history, art and all things interesting. His love for his family has left us with fun and fond memories.”
It’s been almost exactly a year since McDonald, a 1950 Madison Central High School graduate who attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a longtime fixture in the city of Madison, passed away at the age of 88.
“Billy’s welcoming personality was felt by many who met him in various situations and places which included high school and Badger track meets, basketball games, junk shops, bookstores and East Towne Mall,” Banks said. “You would also see him, as well, in front of George Fabian’s Shoe Shop on Park Street.”
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said that it’s good to see just a “few of the literally thousands of people who loved Billy McDonald” here at the press conference.
“It’s so apt that the Billy Bus has the purpose of bringing joy to people because, boy, did Billy bring joy,” Parisi said. “I can’t picture Billy, when I think back, without a smile on his face. And I can’t picture the people with whom he came into contact without a smile on their faces. Billy sure knew what was important in life and that was bringing joy and happiness to people and I’m so honored to be here today to kick off the Billy Bus.”
The Billy Bus is a 1983 VW Vanagon, donated to Today Not Tomorrow by Billy to be used in some way for play, and fun with children and their families.
Other speakers at the event included members of McDonald’s family who recalled wonderful life experiences with him; Juli Aulik, the director of community relations for UW Health; Sheray Wallace, director of Meadowood Health Partnership; and Jeanne Erickson, the director of operations for Today Not Tomorrow, Inc.
“It’s really an honor to be here today. I really know Billy more as Betty Banks’ brother as famous as he is,” Aulik told the crowd. “We sat together through a few Today Not Tomorrow events that Betty and others have organized and that’s how Billy introduced himself to me.
“Clearly, Billy touched the lives of thousands of people and really deeply. It’s an inspiration, in terms of fun and play. It’s so exciting to see this [Billy Bus] here,” she continued. “UW Health is so honored to be a partner in this and so many other wonderful things that Today Not Tomorrow does. I have to say that the young child in me cannot wait to see the Billy Bus decked out and full of great programming.”
Today Not Tomorrow provides information about the community resources available to support positive lifestyles and to promote the health and well-being of families and their children of all ages.
Erickson said that she is truly humbled to be able to have helped coordinate the Billy Bus.
“As you can see, it’s in all of its 1983 glory right now, but we have Fitment Printing Owner Rob Fox who already has the designs. When a few things need to be tweaked on the bus, we’ll be having that thing totally decked out with some beautiful graphics and vinyl including that beautiful picture of Billy … which will be prominent on the bus.
“The purpose of the Billy Bus is to be able to provide large muscle activities which will be able to enhance child development and brain development. Those are two areas that Betty and I have held true to all of our programming ever since we started this in 2006,” Erickson added. “Being able to have activities for families and children is important, but even more important is to be able to where they are.”
Community members can donate to the Billy Bus to help fill it up with wonderful toys and games for young people in Madison by clicking here.
