[K3PZN-List] ARRL CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE UPDATE

[Al Bisasky K3ZE]

NEWINGTON, CT, Dec 1, 2004--With time still to spare and with the help of
key "relay" service by local radio amateurs the ARRL holiday toy drive has
collected truckloads of toys--1650 and counting. The project, which is
folding into the United Way's White Doves Holiday Project, aims to brighten
the holidays for children displaced or left homeless by the hurricanes that
ravaged Florida earlier this year.

"The toy drive has snowballed and taken on a life of its own," says ARRL
Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, who spearheaded the
ham radio effort. "Hundreds of groups, clubs and individuals have responded
with such energy and cheer that it already is a great holiday season. People
just kept going past Thanksgiving and provided more help for the kids than
initially imagined for such a simple enterprise." Pitts says the effort
generated a lot of goodwill for the Amateur Radio community as well.


Boxes full of toys from radio amateurs nationwide have been pouring in to
the United Way of Martin County office in Stuart, Florida. As of November
23, more than 190 clubs, groups and individuals had contributed either toys
or checks. Cash donations total nearly $5000, and even more toys and
contributions continue arriving daily. White Doves volunteers are doing an
inventory on the toys this week. Two buildings at the Martin County
Fairgrounds are serving as the "White Doves Warehouse." A grand opening is
set for December 2 (5:30-7 PM). The free, public event will feature
refreshments, holiday songs and Santa Claus.

Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency
Service (RACES) members have helped transport toys from the United Way
office to the fairgrounds. There, volunteers will sort the toys for
distribution to needy families on December 20 and 21.


We continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of the ham radio operators,"
said Carol Hodnett, director of the United Way Volunteer & Community
Resource Center, which coordinates the White Doves Holiday Project. "We
cannot thank ARRL and its members enough for choosing to support White Doves
and the children it serves."

Bill and Nancy Deacon, KD4HST and KD4HSS, are not only ham radio operators
but longtime White Doves Holiday Project volunteers and, this year,
hurricane victims as well. The Deacons will help to sort toys and assist
families on distribution days. Bill Deacon also will hand out turkeys and
hams (the White Doves Project also has collected some 20,000 pounds of
food). The Deacons' house was flooded during the storms, and they have been
living in a FEMA-provided mobile home while repairs are made.

Entering its 16th year, the White Doves Holiday Project has helped thousands
of families with the staples for a holiday meal and toys for their children.
The project expects to serve about 2000 Central Florida families this year.