It was November of 1994, I think. I’m pretty sure. I was with a community radio station and I
felt that we weren’t doing enough “community.”
I organized a food drive at a city event and we rallied the staff
together to do some good. There we were
in the downtown square, taking in canned and boxed goods and having a jolly old
feel-good time as we stayed live on the air – interviewing people, hearing
their holiday plans, playing their requests and giving away prizes. While I was mid-broadcast, a scruffy looking
gentleman approached us with a solid frozen turkey under each arm and a couple
more swinging by the handles. He shoved
one at me and dropped the others into our barrel. “Happy Thanksgiving. Good thing you’re doing.” and off he
trotted. I stood, dumbstruck with a
microphone in one hand and swinging a turkey with the other. The number one rule in radio is to never ever
have dead air, but I was at a Les Nessman kind of loss. I couldn’t have been more surprised if the
turkeys had dropped from the sky.
The drive was such a success that I then organized a toy drive the following month. The goodwill and groovy vibes among the others was infectious. And I’ve been doing toy drives every year in the 25 since.
There are fewer ways that we can contribute more to our
society than to give our time. Over the
years, people have contributed by way of donations from their wallets, their hearts,
their goods, their time and their space.
The drive was such a success that I then organized a toy drive the following month. The goodwill and groovy vibes among the others was infectious. And I’ve been doing toy drives every year in the 25 since.
The Toys For Tots program has been endangered because they lack resources – while many toys fill big boxes all over America, it still takes money to keep the wheels turning. I sure would hate to see the end of this program because of the joy and strength it brings to others. These events get me through my own holiday season, thinking about all of the kids who benefit from each and every person who participates in any way.
Please come and share an evening of food, fun and festivity. Put on your holiday hats and have some laughs. We have some great people this year who have promised to entertain you: Sam Medina, Athena Rodriguez, Mean Dave, Eric Somers, and Patrick McDermott.
We’ll also have an abundance of raffle items for you to enjoy or regift – consider it a win either way! The atmosphere and staff are friendly, the lights downtown are fantastic to see. Get in a little shopping if you can. And please visit our sponsors/donors listed below. You’ll find links to art, authors, dining and our comedians to keep up on their calendars.
Every penny of your ticket and raffle tickets goes into the hands of our US Marines for this program, and is tax-deductible. There is no profit. You may purchase your ticket below via PayPal using your credit card or a direct transfer. It’s all secure. If you can’t make the event but would like to donate to this campaign, you may do so below as well, or contact me to send in a check. blimpsandwings@gmail.com
Thank you.
DONATIONS ONLY (free gift with each Toy Drive donation):