AMA News District IV - 2009/02

THE RALEIGH-DURHAM Radio Control
Club (RDCRC) of Raleigh, North Carolina,
held its annual Fly For Tots event this past
September 20-21, 2008. In 2007 the club
netted more than $17,000 and Larry Lewis,
the club’s president, set a goal of $20,000
for 2008. RDCRC not only met the goal, but
surpassed it by raising more than $27,500!
This will be a special challenge for 2009.
Prizes for the event were donated by
many, many merchants. I believe it would
have taken two pick-up trucks to haul them.
Not only were there more than 205
registered pilots, but there were helicopters
rides for two days and various merchants
and food vendors, all of whom donated a
percentage of their sales to the charity event.
Jeff Foley donated several rides in a
World War II Stearman PT-17 for a raffle.
The club did not receive any money from
the event; all proceeds were donated to the
Victory Junction Gang, an organization
started by Kyle Petty for special-needs kids.
One of the most heartwarming highlights
was the presentation of a check for more
than $2200. The kids from a nearby church
had attended last year and learned what the
event was all about and wanted to
participate. Since then, they built a radiocontrolled
airplane and raised the money
they donated by having yard sales.
What a wonderful project by these
youngsters! They made their time useful for
a very special reason. Wonder what they
will do next year?
The other heartwarming event was
asking all veterans to come out and
participate in a reenlistment ceremony for a
solder on his fourth tour of duty. He was
sworn in by a fellow officer from his unit.
The two oldest veterans present included
Doug Holland, AMA executive vice
president. These men were asked to hold the
American flag during the proceedings. More
than 100 veterans participated.
Also attending the event was Dave
Mathewson, AMA president, with his wife,
Ginger. In addition to Doug Holland, Bliss
Teague, AMA District IV vice president,
and wife, Shirley, and two District IV
associate vice presidents, George Abbott and
David Jones, were also at the event.
The Radio Active Show Team was there
with its simulator trailer. The members
participated in the noon demonstration by
pulling the AMA flag with an airplane. The
simulator trailer was well attended, with
both young ones and adults trying their skill
at flying on the simulator. You should have
seen the smiles on their faces when they
came out.
If you are in the Raleigh, North Carolina,
area next September, please put this event
on your to-do list. You will be glad you did.
Dave Mathewson, Bliss Teague, and Bill
Hamby.
Take a look at the flightline—wow!
The AMA flag is flying high.
Getting ready.
A Top Gun crop-duster.
Some of the noon demonstrations.
The Radio Active Show Team flight
simulator trailer.
I would like to thank and complement all
the District IV volunteers who have help this
hobby be what it is by their dedication and
hard work. When you see them please thank
them as well.
Go teach a kid to fly.