Allen Pitts, W1AGP
Media and PR Manager
ARRL
apitts@arrl.org
(860) 594-0328
Newington, CT, Dec 20, 2005 -- "Mission accomplished!" was the word from Vice Director Henry Leggette and Joe Lowenthal on the Gulf Coast as they, along with other ARRL volunteers, completed unloading 5000 toys. Leggette, whose FCC callsign is WD4Q, and Lowenthal, WA4OVO, had gone to the Gulf Coast with the toys. Over $9000 was also collected in the ARRL's second Toy Drive.
While serving in the region, many ham radio people got to know the people and families of the Gulf Coast. Last week, the hams returned again. This time they communicated in a different way by bringing toys for the children of families devastated by Rita and Katrina.
Through the coordination of the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio, a moving van full of toys donated by ham radio operators all across the US was shipped from Memphis to the Gulf area kids. Attending the sendoff were representatives from the ARRL, the Salvation Army, award winning country singer Patty Loveless, local ham radio club members, and the mascot, Bear. A special event radio station, W1AW/4, was on the air and the truck were also outfitted with APRS gear so hams could follow their progress en route.
In the wake of the unprecedented devastation by Hurricane Katrina, ham radio operators around the country were asked, "Can we do it again?" No one at ARRL had expected to repeat a toy drive similar to one held in 2004. But no one had expected the one-two of Rita and Katrina. The overwhelming response of hams around the country was clear as thousands of toys, games, bikes and stuffed animals head south.
Under the leadership of the ARRL, the national association for Amateur Radio in the USA, Amateur Radio operators around the country once again joined together - this time for children left homeless by Katrina and Rita. According to Allen Pitts, Media and PR Manager for the ARRL, "It was simply the right thing to do."
Over 1000 Amateur Radio operators from all over the country provided critical emergency communications when all other systems were destroyed or overloaded in Katrina and Rita. Many more relayed messages from their homes stations across the country. These ham volunteers served for no pay, using their own equipment, and gave the ability to communicate to The Salvation Army, Red Cross, FEMA, VOAD groups, many offices of emergency management, police, fire, hospitals and a host of other organizations.
The National Toy Drive Chairperson and award winning singer Patty Loveless, KD4WUJ, said "Ham Radio is all about giving and sharing; it's about caring and helping. Those things are the major traits of our tradition. And we, as amateur radio operators and ARRL members, continue the true spirit of that tradition by supporting this wonderful and much needed effort."
The ARRL Toy Drive partnered with the Salvation Army whose distribution network throughout the coastal Gulf region is still intact. The Salvation Army has the ability to screen recipients and will assure that the toys are used where they are truly needed most.
Initially the volume of toys was so great that it appeared more trucks would be needed. Equipment manufacturer MFJ came to the rescue by donating the use of their truck. Then, with the packing experience of a FedEx pro, Joe Lowenthal found a way to cram it all into one large moving van, saving even more money for purchasing more toys.
"The hams who took part in this can feel rightly proud," said Pitts. "While nothing can erase the hurt of the tragedy, it's a great feeling to know you brought some comfort and joy to a child."
Bear, the unofficial mascot and instigator of the drive, said simply, "Y'all done good!"