[CVCC] ARRL Hams hold Second Holiday Toy Drive for Katrina Children

[Ed Moore]

CVCC,

This is a wonderful cause that deserves our contribution.  Please give if you can.
Thanks. 


For Immediate Release

For Further Information:
Allen Pitts, W1AGP
Media and Public Relations Manager 
(860) 594-0328

ARRL Hams hold Second Holiday Toy Drive for Katrina Children


Newington, Conn., October 25, 2005 -   The American Radio Relay League,
the national association for Amateur Radio, is coming to the aid of
children in the coastal areas of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana this
season by conducting a nation-wide toy drive.  With over 150,000 ARRL
members and 670,000 hams in the country overall, it could make quite a
difference.  Toys are already arriving at the Memphis, TN collection
center.

Over the past weeks, we have all heard of the devastation left by
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Many ham radio operators actually heard it
first hand through volunteer service or on their radios.  Thousands of
families are without a place to live and will be homeless over the
coming Holiday Season.  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 American Radio Relay League's program.

Between now and December 10, ham radio operators throughout the United
States are collecting new toys for children and sending them with a card
showing their radio callsign to:

ARRL Toy Drive / Salvation Army
1775 Moriah Woods Blvd - Suite 12
Memphis, TN 38117-7125


"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,
Salvation Army PR Director.  The Salvation Army will be handling the
distribution end of the program.
 
The Jackson, MS Salvation Army facility will be coordinating
distribution throughout the Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana coastal
areas because it still has the facilities to manage a large toy drive.
The toys will be collected at the ARRL warehouse in Memphis, TN and
brought to the Salvation Army for distribution to the coastal locations
whose own facilities are no longer capable of managing such a project. 

"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.  No one expected that we would need to do it again, but Katrina's
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 this disaster."
-ARRL Pres. Jim Haynie.

Unwrapped toys for boys and girls of ages 1 to 14 are being gathered and
shipped by amateur radio operators to the Memphis, TN facility between
now and early December for distribution over the holidays.   Non-hams
are also encouraged to join in this effort to provide for the thousands
of children suddenly homeless due to the series of hurricanes. Those
members wishing to donate money instead of toys can send a check to:  

ARRL -Toy Drive
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111

The ARRL is asking all hams to make the coming Holiday Season a little
bit brighter for a child by participating in this toy drive.  Purchase a
new toy and ship it to the ARRL Toy Drive/Salvation Army address.
Maybe it's not a new home to live in, but knowing that someone "out
there" remembers you is a start for these children.