[HCRA] ARRL Toy Drive

[Jim Mullen]

Gang,

A big 'thank you' to the generous HCRA members who donated toys this
Christmas season. You were part of the reason three truckloads of presents
are on their way to make a brighter holiday season for some lucky children.
See the ARRL bulletin copied below.

Merry Christmas,

Jim, KK1W

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SB SPCL @ ARL $ARLX006
ARLX006 Holiday Toy Drive trucks hit the highway

ZCZC AX06
QST de W1AW  
Special Bulletin 6  ARLX006
>From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  December 16, 2005
To all radio amateurs 

SB SPCL ARL ARLX006
ARLX006 Holiday Toy Drive trucks hit the highway

A convoy carrying contributions to the ARRL/Salvation Army Holiday Toy Drive
set off December 15 from the Memphis warehouse where the toys have been
collecting for several weeks. On hand to see them off were representatives
of the ARRL, The Salvation Army, country music singer Patty Loveless,
KD4WUJ, Amateur Radio volunteers, the news media, dignitaries and, of
course, Santa Claus. Loveless, who served as national chairperson for the
campaign, expressed her thanks to Amateur Radio clubs and individual hams
who gave to the drive.

"I think it's just amazing. For those who couldn't be here, I'm sure they're
here in spirit and giving from their hearts, and I just want to thank
them--from all around--for collecting," Loveless told ARRL. "Love is a word
that truly everybody knows."

It took three trucks to contain the 4500 toys bound for youngsters along the
US Gulf Coast displaced or left homeless as a result of this year's
devastating hurricanes.

ARRL Delta Division Vice Director Henry Leggette, WD4Q, ARRL Media and
Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, The Salvation Army's Bill
Feist, WB8BZH, and Loveless headlined a send-off ceremony as ham radio
volunteers wearing Santa hats, coordinated by Joe Lowenthal, WA4OVO, packed
up the trucks for the late-afternoon departure. Lowenthal says the Holiday
Toy Drive received donations from upward of three dozen states plus the US
Virgin Islands.

At the warehouse, Delta Amateur Radio Club members began a W1AW/4 special
event operation December 15. A W1AW mobile station also is on the air from a
vehicle shadowing the truck convoy.

The ARRL partnered with The Salvation Army for this year's campaign. Feist,
The Salvation Army's disaster services director for the
Alabama-Louisiana-Mississippi division, said it was an exciting occasion and
he was glad to see ham radio get some positive publicity too. "We are
certainly very appreciative of what all the Amateur Radio operators around
the country and the ARRL have done for the people of Alabama, Louisiana and
Mississippi," Feist said.

League members gave more than $4000 in cash donations to purchase even more
toys--especially for older youngsters--and transport them to the Gulf Coast.

The ARRL thanks everyone who contributed to--and who volunteered to
assist--in making the 2005 Holiday Toy Drive a success. NNNN /EX