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![Previous (earlier) Story](/images/sty-down.gif "Spacewalks "Thrilling," Astronaut Tells Students during Ham Radio Chat"){kind=small} Previous: Spacewalks "Thrilling," Astronaut Tells Students during Ham Radio Chat | ![Next (later) Story](/images/sty-up.gif ""It Seems to Us . . ." A Busy Month on the BPL Front"){kind=small} Next: "It Seems to Us . . ." A Busy Month on the BPL Front |
 ARRL Delta Division Vice Director Henry Leggette, WD4Q, is heading up operations at the Memphis warehouse that's serving as the toy collection center. [W4OQG Photo] |
 A wide variety of toys has been showing up. [W4OQG Photo] |
 ARRL Delta Division Vice Director Henry Leggette, WD4Q, "tests" one of the toys. [W4OQG Photo] |
 Toy warehouse volunteer coordinator Joe Lowenthal, WA4OVO. He says toys have arrived from about 30 states and the US Virgin Islands so far. [W4OQG Photo] |
 Country music star Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, is the Holiday Toy Drive's national chairperson. |
NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 30, 2005--Hams are finding even more ways to pitch in and boost the ARRL/The Salvation Army 2005 Holiday Toy Drive. The League has partnered with The Salvation Army in an effort to bring some holiday cheer to children along the US Gulf Coast left homeless or displaced in the aftermath of this year's devastating hurricanes. Likewise, many individual radio amateurs and ham radio groups are partnering with others and even providing some incentives to spread the joy of giving.
Chiropractor Dr Frank Vesci, W1NK, has offered free evaluations to any patients who bring a toy with them to their appointments. Joe Guvman, KB1DVG, has been encouraging customers with a special display in his at Meineke Muffler shop to bring in toys for the drive. The Hampden County Radio Association in Massachusetts has urged members to bring toys to the club's annual holiday party this week. The club already collected and shipped off a batch of toys gathered during its yearly auction early this month. Many others around the country are similarly enthusiastic.
Charles Kosman, WB2NQV, reports that the toy drive's public service announcement featuring country music star Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, aired all last week during the 5:30 PM time slot on KSWO-TV, which serves southwestern Oklahoma and northern Texas. "That's between the early local news and ABC Network news," Kosman enthused. "I guess we got some prime time for it!"
Between "testing" the many toys, ARRL Delta Division Vice Director Henry Leggette, WD4Q, and the crew of ham radio volunteers have otherwise been busy at the Memphis, Tennessee, warehouse where the toys are collecting for delivery. Volunteer coordinator Joe Lowenthal, WA4OVO, concedes that the warehouse crew sometimes has to resist the temptation to play with the toys. He says the crew has inventoried close to 2800 toys already, and more are in the offing as the final weeks of the 2005 Holiday Toy Drive approach.
"Things are definitely picking up," Lowenthal told ARRL, noting that some 500 toys arrived November 29 alone. "We got behind with the holiday."
Lowenthal says that while many of the toys--perhaps 1000 or more--are stuffed animals, there's quite a variety among the remaining donations, including a lot of athletic gear. "We've got soccer balls, we've got basketballs, we have footballs," he reports. And there's more. "We have a number of dolls, doll sets, jewelry, makeup kits, we have a number of crayons and coloring books, we even have some computer programs, quite a few puzzles and games," Lowenthal added. One donor sent an educational toy that lets the youngster set up various electronic circuits. "He's probably hoping whoever gets it will become a ham," he said.
There's still a big need for toys suitable for older children, Lowenthal said. He suggested that ARRL members write a check to help cover those needs unless they have a specific donation in mind. One individual has donated a new bicycle. "That will probably be the biggest item," he said.
Radio amateurs are invited to send new unwrapped toys for boys and girls aged 1 to 14 to: ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army, 1775 Moriah Woods Blvd--Suite 12, Memphis, TN 38117-7125. Include a QSL card or a card bearing your call sign.
ARRL invites its members to send checks if they prefer, made out to "ARRL Toy Drive." Send these donations to: ARRL Toy Drive, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
Send new unwrapped toys for boys and girls aged 1 to 14 to: ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army, 1775 Moriah Woods Blvd--Suite 12, Memphis, TN 38117-7125. Include a QSL card or a card bearing your call sign. |
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At the warehouse, volunteers log in each contribution, then sort the toys and record the donors, if known. Lowenthal notes that in some shipments QSL cards have not been attached to a particular toy. He advises donors to tape cards to the gifts. Many hams have indicated, however, that they're less concerned about getting credit or even a "thank you" for their contribution as long as they know the toys are going where they'll bring smiles.
Lowenthal says the toys have been arriving via a number of carriers, but he recommends FedEx, UPS or DHL for the most expeditious delivery, although shipments have been arriving via the US Postal Service as well.
ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP--the League's point man for the drive, says the final two weeks are critical. "This is when we make or break it," he said. "Last year we doubled the number of toys in the final weeks. I pray we can do it again." Pitts encourages groups, clubs and individuals to send their toy packages by December 10.
At 2 PM on December 15, the loaded trucks will head out for
the Salvation Army's Gulf Area headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi. A ceremony
is planned at the warehouse, and many people--plus one very special bear--have been
invited, Pitts says, quickly adding, "Of course, all ham operators are automatically
welcome!"
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