A North Carolina Club's
Good Deeds
 

    The Fly-for-Tots program was originally started in the mid-1990s as a drive to collect toys for underprivileged children in local foster homes. Each year the effort has managed to donate a large number of toys and a check for roughly $500.

    Although the toys were much needed, it became clear that this charity could better meet the specific needs of families and children with the cash that was donated. Every year we would get a little more than the year before, and we always looked forward to the day we would deliver our donation, and the event continually grew.

    The Raleigh Durham Radio Control (RDRC) club's enthusiasm toward holding events and their willingness to offer their hands to get things done added a great deal to the success of the event. In 2004 we made a larger effort to pass out event flyers to local businesses and hobby shops and at fly-ins we attended across the state.

    A couple simple things such as low-volume music played through the speakers and noon demonstration flights turned out to be real crowd pleasers. Our efforts paid off as the donation grew to $1,500.

    What did we do to make it even bigger? The January 2005 event included help from major hobby distributors. Raffle tickets were printed, listing the larger prizes so advanced ticket sales could be made at other flying events, places of work, etc.

    We also set up the event like a public air show and made it a two-day event. This was a great opportunity to expose aeromodeling to the public and increase our chances of reaching our goal. That year we exceeded our goal by raising $5,000.

    When the 2006 flying season started, we knew modelers would spread the word to each other. We also knew we needed to reach the public in a bigger way.

    A club member was able to convince the area's largest mall to allow us to hold a static model display two weeks before the event. Another helpful tool was the Internet. Sites such as RC Universe and Flying Giants offer flying-event-schedule forums free of charge. We used these to invite modelers from all locations.

    This heavy online activity attracted the attention of model distributors and hobby shops, and it encouraged Horizon Hobby, Hobbico, and Hobby Lobby to send demonstration pilots and great prizes.

    It was inspiring to have modelers and the public offer their gratitude to our club members for all their efforts. They also told us what a great time they were having and that they appreciated what we were doing. Even our charity recipient—"Smiles for Little Faces"—was there to enjoy the event.

    In the weeks following the 2006 event we received many E-mails and telephone calls from modelers, the public, and sponsors letting us know what a great time they had and how they look forward to participating in next year's event. This experience has been moving for many of us in RDRC, and we highly recommend that any club that is considering holding such an event move forward with it.

    The most important tools your club will need are willingness and cooperation of its members. When you hand that check to your selected charity and see the appreciation in the representatives' eyes and then hear later how your club's efforts made the difference in a child or a family, you'll be inspired for life.

    RDRC thanks all those who helped us reach our goal for the 2006 Fly-for-Tots fly-in; we raised $10,000! MA

—Larry Lewis
District IV

Return to main In The Air page