ARRL announces holiday
toy drive for Florida youngsters
The ARRL is coming to the aid of children in Florida displaced or left
homeless in the wake of three hurricanes, by sponsoring a nationwide holiday
toy drive. Clubs and individuals from across the US already have indicated
they'll be taking part.
Joanne Ramsey, KB1KWJ, one of the hurricane relief/recovery volunteers
working in Central Florida, saw the devastation and the need following
Hurricane Ivan.
"This is really going to make a difference for those children,"
she said. "I still see the images of hungry little faces I was not
able to feed. The sadness in their eyes was very hard for me to deal with."
Thousands of families are without a permanent place to live, and that
situation could well extend into the holiday season.
"For a child suddenly living out of a tent, or car, or someone else's
home, the 2004 holiday season will be anything but jolly," said ARRL
Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP. "But hams across the
country are coming to their rescue in a second new way through the League's
program."
Between now and Thanksgiving, hams radio operators throughout the US
are invited to send new children's toys, accompanied by a QSL card, to
Ham Radio, The United Way White Dove Project, 50 Kindred St - Suite 207,
Stuart, FL 34994.
Carol Hodnett, of Martin County United Way, said the hurricanes and their
aftermath have been especially traumatic for children. "In addition
to the frightening experience of going through the hurricanes," she
pointed out, "youngsters are coping with a great deal of stress felt
within their families and at school." Martin County United Way will
handle the distribution end of the program. Pitts said the focus is on
Central Florida communities because they took the brunt of the three storms.
Additional details about the Hams for Toys program are on the ARRL
Web site.
Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The
American Radio Relay League
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