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 Previous: Breathing Life Back Into A Club |  Next: Amateur Radio Continues to Prepare for Wilma's Arrival |
NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 19, 2005--The ARRL and The Salvation Army (TSA) have partnered up for the 2005 ARRL Holiday Toy Drive. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, the League's point man behind the effort to brighten the holidays for youngsters displaced or left homeless by the Gulf Coast hurricanes, points out that TSA's distribution network throughout the region remains intact. Additionally, Pitts says, the organization can screen recipients and ensure that the gifts go where they are truly needed the most.
"We are asking hams from all over the country to begin gathering new toys and shipping them to Memphis, Tennessee," Pitts said this week. "ARRL Vice Director Henry Leggette, WD4Q, has secured a receiving warehouse and is coordinating ham-elves volunteering there." Toys go to: ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army, 1775 Moriah Woods Blvd--Suite 12, Memphis, TN 38117-7125. There volunteers will sort and stock them. Early in December, the toys will be transported to Salvation Army facilities in hurricane areas that need help the most at that time.
"We are making these arrangements to maximize the areas
receiving aid, while still maintaining the drive's identity as the Amateur
Radio community's response," Pitts said.
 Country music artist Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, is the honorary chairperson for the ARRL 2005 Toy Drive. | ||
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National Toy Drive Chairperson and award-winning country music artist Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, has joined with family and friends--including producer Richard Lubash, N1VXW--to make three videos promoting the drive. One is a 30 second public service announcement (PSA) for TV use, while the other two are intended for Web site placement or may even be sent as e-mail attachments, Pitts said.
Loveless says caring and helping are a big part of what ham radio is all about. "Those things are the major traits of our tradition," she said, "and we, as Amateur Radio operators and ARRL members, can continue the true spirit of that tradition by supporting this wonderful and much needed effort." The ARRL is asking Amateur Radio operators to put a QSL card into the box with their donated toys.
Pitts says many ham radio clubs already are gathering toys for this year's drive. "Please check with your local club and see if they are planning a mass shipment," he suggested. "If not, perhaps you can help organize one for your area."
ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, noted that last year, hams from all over the country brought smiles to children during the holidays. "We made a lot of friends, and we did a lot of good," he said. "No one expected that we would need to do it again, but the recent hurricanes' destruction has changed the plans of a lot of people. I hope you will help in this effort to bring a smile to children hurt by these disasters."
Unwrapped new toys for boys and girls of ages 1 to 14 should be gathered and shipped to the Memphis facility between now and Thanksgiving for distribution over the holidays. Non-hams are also encouraged to join in this effort to provide for the thousands of children left homeless or displaced due to the Gulf Coast hurricanes.
Cash donations from ARRL members also are welcome to help cover such Toy Drive expenses as truck rentals and purchasing toys for special age groups. One particular need is for bicycles. Send donations to: ARRL Toy Drive, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
| Previous: Breathing Life Back Into A Club | Next: Amateur Radio Continues to Prepare for Wilma's Arrival |
