ARRL Announces Holiday Toy Drive for Homeless Florida Children

What kind of toy? The homeless children come in all ages, but we suggest thinking of age 1 to 14, both boys and girls. Should I wrap it? No, just put it in the box unwrapped. Why the QSL card? The cards will be collected and sent to the ARRL to track results. Can non-ham friends join in? SURE! And if you give them your QSL cards to put in the boxes, your area will get the credit for their generosity. Can't I just give to something here locally? Of course you can. We're not saying "don't give" to any other place or cause. We are simply offering this option for hams to show the world that we remember the victims in disasters after the headlines are gone, and to do something good for children in real need. I know our club can get more people involved than their club.... Club and area and section challenges are encouraged. We'll use the QSL cards as a way to track results. Can I just give money? Money is always good. Checks should be made payable to: White Doves, c/o United Way of Martin County 50 Kindred Street, Suite 207 Stuart, FL 34994

Newington, Conn., October 15, 2004 - Over the past weeks, we have all heard of the devastation in central Florida. Many hams actually heard it first hand through volunteer service or on the HF nets. While many areas of the country were affected to differing degrees, Florida was the worst. Thousands of families are without a place to live and will be homeless over the coming 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. But hams are coming to their rescue in a new way.

Between now and Thanksgiving, hams across the country are being asked to purchase a new child's toy and send it with a QSL card or 3x5 showing their callsign to:

"The storms and their aftermath have been especially traumatic for children. In addition to the frightening experience of going through the hurricanes, youngsters are coping with a great deal of stress felt within their families and at school," writes Carol Hodnett, a Director at the United Way site, who will be handling the distribution end of the program.

"Because of the overall strain on our state, we have been looking outside the area for help in supporting the White Doves Holiday Project this year. We are so incredibly thankful to you and the American Radio Relay League for thinking of the children of our area in planning your toy drive."

The Martin County United Way in Stuart still has the facilities to manage a large toy

Drive. They have agreed to serve as the collection point and also coordinate distribution to the surrounding counties whose agencies are no longer capable of managing such a project.

"Just let me know what you need," offered Steve Blary, N1XC, the ARES Emergency Coordinator for Stuart, Florida. "This is a great idea and we're ready to help at this end."

Unwrapped toys for boys and girls of ages 1 to 14 will be gathered and shipped by amateur radio operators to the Stuart facility between now and Thanksgiving for distribution over the holidays. Non-hams are also encouraged to join in this effort to provide for the thousands of children suddenly homeless due to the series of hurricanes. Those wishing to donate money instead of toys can send a check to:

Recent figures from FEMA and the Red Cross showed over 22,000 homes destroyed and over 40,000 severely damaged. Whole families who once had their own home or apartment are now living wherever they can, in vehicles, or tents, or sharing undamaged homes or shelters. It is not simply a shortage of affordable housing; it is a lack of ANY housing.

The ARRL is asking all hams to make the coming Holiday Season a little bit brighter for a child by participating in this toy drive. Purchase a new toy and ship it to the Ham Radio/United Way-White Dove address. Maybe it's not a new home to live in, but knowing that someone "out there" remembers you is a start for these children.

Further information can be found at www.arrl.org/pio

Just how bad is it really? The following numbers are from FEMA and the Red Cross: County Homes destroyed Homes Damaged Charlotte 5013 12006 Escambia 5224 9385 Desoto 3644 2671 Brevard 2607 2498 Polk 2064 2520 St. Lucie 840 2538 Palm Beach 366 1451 Indian River 1830 1759 Volusia 332 1124 Orange 82 325 Santa Rosa 938 3026 Lee 331 654 Osceola 158 652 Martin 301 1473 Hardee 367 1052 You can help make the coming Holiday Season a little bit brighter for a child. Maybe it's not a new home to live in, but knowing that someone "out there" remembers you is a start for these children. Buy a toy (or three!) and send them with your QSL card today.

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