[ARRL-OK] 2005 Toy Drive?

[Mark D. Conklin N7XYO]

Are there any Oklahoma groups/clubs doing a toy collections for this project?

If so, please contact me with info about your group or club's activity.

73 Mark Conklin N7XYO
Oklahoma Section PIC


2005 Holiday Toy Drive

Toys already have begun showing up in Memphis, Tennessee, in response to
the ARRL 2005 Holiday Toy Drive appeal. The League has partnered with The
Salvation Army for this year's effort to brighten the holiday season for
children in the coastal areas of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana left
homeless or displaced in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"As The Salvation Army continues to provide assistance to the victims of
the largest natural disaster in modern US history, we are excited to
partner with the ARRL in providing toys for children affected by
hurricanes Katrina and Rita this holiday season," said Mark Jones, The
Salvation Army's public relations director.

Because it still has the facilities to manage a large toy drive, The
Salvation Army will handle the distribution end of the program. Its
facility in Jackson, Mississippi, will coordinate distribution throughout
the Gulf Coast region.

Award-winning country music artist Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, is the Holiday
Toy Drive's national chairperson.

The collection point for the toys is in Memphis, Tennessee, where the
League has secured a warehouse facility. Between now and December 10, the
ARRL is encouraging ham radio operators throughout the US to purchase new,
unwrapped toys for children ages 1 through 4 and send them with a QSL card
to ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army
Volunteers in Memphis will sort and stock the toys and in early December,
the toys will be transported to The Salvation Army facilities in hurricane
areas that need help the most at that time.

Amateur Radio volunteers turned out in force to support communication for
relief and recovery operations in the Gulf Coast. ARRL Media and Public
Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, says the Amateur Radio community is
once again in a position to make a difference.
"Thousands o
f families are without a place to live and will be homeless over the
coming holiday season," he said. "For a child living out of a tent or car,
FEMA trailer or someone else's home, the 2005 holiday season will be
anything but jolly. But hams from all across the country are coming to
their rescue again through the ARRL Holiday Toy Drive."

Send new, unwrapped toys to:
 ARRL Toy Drive / Salvation Army
1775 Moriah Woods Blvd - Suite 12
 Memphis, TN 38117-7125

Send cash donations to assist the drive to
ARRL Toy Drive, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.