Replacing 'Wheels for William'

For many residents of Bay Park and East Rockaway, the sight of resident William Haynes and his trademark three-wheeled bicycle is a familiar one each day. He can typically be seen pedaling behind the area’s postman, known simply as “Bill,” as he travels along his daily route, delivering mail to the people along his route. On most days, when Bill passes a house, Haynes can be seen following close behind on his bike, getting his daily fill of cycling exercise.

Last month, however, something was wrong. Instead of meeting Bill on his bike, Haynes approached the postal worker on foot, telling him that he had lost his bicycle.

Word of Haynes’ loss traveled quickly through the neighborhood after Theresa Barto, who learned of the missing bike from a friend, posted a message in the popular Facebook group “You Know You’re From East Rockaway When … ” on June 27.

“I heard his story and it absolutely broke my heart,” Barto said. “I started seeing him ride around the area a little while after Hurricane Sandy, and I just thought it was the most precious thing … it’s how he gets his exercise each day, and its just nice to see him riding around.”

In the post, she asked fellow residents to join her in raising money for a new bike for Haynes, who she said is known as a pleasant and kind man throughout the neighborhood. “I am asking if anyone would like to donate and get him a new [bike] with a lock,” the post read. “Is this something we can do as a community? I know I would love to present him with one. Can we make this happen?”

The answer to her questions was a resounding “yes.” The post quickly became one of the more popular in the Facebook group, accruing nearly 90 individual comments, with many residents pledging to donate money to get Haynes a new bike.