ARRL Holiday Toy Drive gets into gear

Toys have already begun showing up in Memphis, Tennessee, in response to the ARRL 2005 Holiday Toy Drive appeal.

The League has partnered with The Salvation Army for this year's effort to brighten the holiday season for children in the coastal areas of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana left
homeless or displaced in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"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, The Salvation Army's public relations director.

Because it still has the facilities to manage a large toy drive, The Salvation Army will handle the distribution end of the program. Its facility in Jackson, Mississippi, will coordinate distribution throughout the Gulf Coast region.

Country music artist Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, is the Holiday Toy Drive's national chairperson.

The collection point for the toys is in Memphis, Tennessee, where the League has secured a warehouse facility. Between now and December 10, the ARRL is encouraging ham radio operators throughout the US to purchase new, unwrapped toys for children ages 1 through 4 and send them with a QSL card to ARRL Toy Drive/The Salvation Army, 1775 Moriah Woods Blvd--Suite 12, Memphis, TN 38117-7125.

Volunteers in Memphis will sort and stock the toys, and in early December, the toys will be transported to The Salvation Army facilities in hurricane areas that need help the most at that time.

Amateur Radio volunteers turned out in force to support communication for relief and recovery operations in the Gulf Coast. ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts, W1AGP, says the Amateur Radio community is once again in a position to make a difference.

"Thousands of families are without a place to live and will be homeless over the coming holiday season," he said. "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 ARRL Holiday Toy Drive."

Cash donations from ARRL members also are welcome. League members may send checks to ARRL Holiday Toy Drive, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

"Knowing that someone 'out there' remembers you is a start for these children," Pitts said.

More information about the ARRL 2005 Holiday Toy Drive is available on the League's Web site

Source: ARRL Letter - courtesy of The American Radio Relay League

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