There were many misty-eyed women among the 100 who left Holy Cross Church.

Betty Maul Tisdale hoped she had inspired them to do extraordinary things. Mrs. Tisdale told them the story of An Lac orphanage in Saigon, Viet Nam founded by Dr. Thomas Dooley and directed by Madam Vu Thi Ngai.

Madam came south with refugee children after communists killed her husband and son and Dr. Dooley helped her as now Mrs. Tisdale and An Lac Orphanage, Inc. helps her.

Mrs. Tisdale told how as Betty Maul, a New York secretary, she volunteered for the Dooley Foundation and was so inspired by Dr. Tom.

She quoted him saying, “It takes ordinary people to do extraordinary things.” He inspired her to carry on his work which she does by annual trips to work at the orphanage and by appearing before such groups such as these churchwomen of North DeKalb who were the guests of the WCS of Holy Cross Church.

Mrs. Tisdale, attractively clad in traditional Vietnamese garb, showed slides and spoke of not only An Lac but the Americans work in Viet Nam in reconstruction and the troops work in helping the people of the republic help themselves.

Taped interviews with U.S. troops explained their work and the voices of the 400 children of An Lac singing Jingle Bells and traditional Vietnamese songs added greatly to the pictures of past Christmases at the orphanage.

As the American troops leave, their help leaves the orphanage and Mrs. Tisdale explained this Christmas will be less gay at An Lac.

Tiny Mai Lara, 10 month old daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Tisdale, often stole the show from her mother. Only months ago Mai Lara was one of the dehydrated, undernourished children of An Lac and was a most pointed contrast to the children seen on the screen that morning. She and her sister, Lien Marie, 4, came to the U.S. with their new parents to make one big, busy, happy family. Dr. and Mrs. Tisdale, (he the vice chairman and she the president of An Lac Orphanage, Inc.) conduct the business affairs of the orphanage from their home office at 102 Eames Avenue, Ft. Benning, Ga., 31905.

But it is Betty Maul Tisdale with her baby in her arms that appeals to groups across the nation to help the 400 children of An Lac. It takes about $2,500 monthly to make ends meet there and at present she has approximately 100 who contribute regularly.

So, if she can find four times that many her troubles would be over. She urged support for a child a month. About $5 gives a child his bread and rice diet. Hopefully vegetables and costly chicken can be added to the diet occasionally.

The $500 pays Dr. McKinny who is the orphanage physician and has decreased the death rate by one-half since his arrival at the orphanage. Unfortunately he comes back to the U.S. in December so Mrs. Maul appealed too for another doctor for the babies at An Lac.

After explaining the costs at the orphanage she said, “I’ll take anything green,” and went on to appeal for green stamps. The last 1,000 books collected bought a much needed station wagon for the orphanage and the next 1,000 will go for an institutional washer and dryer so desperately needed during the rainy season. Pictures of little children washing diapers by hand, and lines and roofs covered with them drying pointed out the need to the women present that morning.

As Dr. Dooley inspired Mrs. Tisdale, she too inspired many of the women present for her presentation. One group so inspired was the Appling Heights Circle of the WCS who have volunteered to lick all loose stamps and pack all supplies collected.

“All contributions will be acknowledged,” she said, and then with the glint of humor that’s always in her eyes shining brightly she added, “eventually!”