A Quad City boy who helped reunite two siblings, separated as children, is getting a moment in the spotlight for his efforts. Eddie Hanzelin was mugging for the camera with Whoopi Goldberg and other hosts of the talk show, "The View" Tuesday while getting ready to appear on the show.
Eddie is getting special attention for helping Clifford Boyson of Davenport find his long-lost sister, Betty Billadeau. The siblings were sent to different foster homes as small children growing up in Chicago. They searched for one another over the years, but it wasn't until eight-year-old Eddie searched for Betty on facebook, that the siblings were able to finally meet and TV-6 was there for the reunion. The young man, who is family is friends with Clifford Boyson, says he just wanted help.
"I went to facebook, typed in Boyson. A whole bunch of pictures that showed up and one of them looked like Clifford," Eddie said.
From there the family sent Betty's daughter a message--one she had secretly been hoping for.
"My whole life I always knew the story of her two brothers she didn't know, so that's when I set up her facebook page. That's why I put Betty Boyson Billadeau, because I always had hope she would be able to find him," said Betty's daughter, Sarah Billadeau.
Now Clifford Boyson will get to know the family he's spent 65 years looking for and found in Missouri.
"He is already calling me sis' so that makes me feel good," said Betty Billadeau.
"I am excited as can be. I just have no words," Clifford Boyson added.
As for Eddie, he says he has learned a life lesson about helping others and it feels, "very, very, very good."
His appearance on The View airs on ABC Friday, Jan. 25 at 10 a.m.
Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Eddie, Clifford Boyson & Betty Billadeau on The View. Photo by Amy Hanzelin.
Eddie and Whoopi Goldberg. Photo by Amy Hanzelin.
Eddie at reunion on Jan. 12, 2013.
