[South Florida DX Association] HOLIDAY HAM

[JEFF HUFF]

Hello everybody . . . 

I am forwarding a couple of items for your information. It concerns an idea that started right here on this reflector. I read a message from a disgusted ham who talked about how much the ham community does for the nation and how little mention we get as a result. Since I work at Channel 2 and was part of producing a program called NEW FLORIDA, I talked to the program producer about it. I told her about the recent help hams provided for hurricane victims and the toy drive by the ARRL for Christmas. She thought it might make a good story for the Christmas program. The program airs tonight at 9PM on Channel 2. I hope you all can tune in and if you can't, please go to the website (www.channel2.org) and click on New FLorida at the bottom. Follow the link to stream the latest program. It's up right now. I tried to get a couple of our club members in the production but I guess the story took her elsewhere. Following this paragraph is a note from the ARRL who is very pleased with it and then an article about the piece. I hope you all like it and if you would be so kind as to send a brief note to the ARRL (see below) to recommend Marilu Lozada for the national media award at the ARRL. 

'73
JEFF
N4GAN




Jeff
.. 

Just a note of appreciation to you for suggesting the Toy Drive to Marilu - you have a real winner there! 
The staff here have seen it and LOVED it!  There's even immediate talk of putting her up for next year's national media award (the Leonard Award).  Absolutely the best!

Tried to call you but could not find a number.  But wanted you to know - we're very happy here indeed. 

Allen G. Pitts,   W1AGP 
Media and Public Relations Manager 
ARRL 
(860) 594-0328 





Bob Betcher: Channel 2 ventures to Stuart 

By Bob Betcher 
media columnist
December 23, 2004 

The United Way of Martin County and its Christmas toy distribution efforts will be featured on the WPBT Channel 2-produced "New Florida" series at 9 tonight. 

The broadcast is expected to consume a 5-minute, 41-second segment illustrating how HAM radio operators from across the country helped out by rounding up toys for Martin County residents impacted by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. 

The report is expected to be the lead-off segment of the 30-minute program. 

"The American Radio Relay League helped launch the toy drive," said Marilu Lozada, a "New Florida" producer. "Their members, some from as far away as Tennessee, encouraged people to send toys to Martin County." 

The toys, through the White Doves project, were distributed at the Martin County Fairgrounds. 

A Channel 2 crew spent two days recently in the Stuart area recording segments for the show. 

"We also went to the house of two HAM radio operators in Martin County," Lozada said. 

The holiday-themed program will repeat on Channel 2 at 5 p.m. Christmas Day. 

The special will mean plenty of exposure for Martin County. Miami-based Channel 2 reaches a wide area of South Florida — from Indian River County to Key West, plus areas of Southwest Florida. 

Additionally, "New Florida" airs on other public television stations across Florida (though not on competing West Palm Beach PBS outlet WXEL Channel 42). 

Other segments on the show include a look at music and art commemorating the Jewish holiday Hanukkah; the country's largest artificial Christmas tree (in Delray Beach); a performance by the Kings Point Glee Club, a community-based choir in Delray Beach whose members' average age is 79; and a Christian volunteer sewing organization that provides clothes and blankets for struggling newborns across the country. 


"Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely"