TOSRV Bicycle Tour Public Service

The Tour Of the Scioto River Valley (TOSRV) is one of the largest bicycle tours in the USA. (See www.tosrv.org). 2013 is the 52^nd offering of this tour.

In 1971, a group of ham radio operators from the Columbus, Ohio area “Amateur Radio Emergency Service” was asked to provide standard and emergency radio communications for this two-day event which occurs over Mother’s Day weekend. The group has been active in this event ever since then. See their web site at http://www.coares.org .

With a fairy high degree of certainty, I can state that I am the only person who has been able to participate without missing any years, thus this would be my 43rd continuous year helping with this public service event.

Previously, my wife and I made this an annual event and our 11-year old daughter has participated a time or two and is again interested in helping. Many years ago, we used to drive my father’s pickup truck camper to Chillicothe, camp overnight on Saturday then help on Sunday. The camper is long gone, so more recently we have stayed at a motel Saturday night then helped with the event on Sunday.

Unfortunately, my finances are extremely tight since I am on disability and thus have a very limited income. Last year we could not afford a motel so our daughter and I drove over and back on Sunday which made for a very long and tiring trip. Sadly, my wife cannot do that much riding in a single day and had to stay home thus breaking her own uninterrupted string.

This year there is a strong possibility that I may not be able to afford even the gas it would take to drive over and back in one day like was done last year. That is why I am making this request here.

What I am requesting would be a minimum of about $50 to be able to fill my gas tank and do a one-day trip with just my daughter, like we did last year. This is not our preference though, since my wife would like to go as well.

I am thus requesting around $250 which would fill the tank and allow us to get a motel room and food so we could stay overnight Saturday in Chillicothe, then participate and drive home on Sunday. This amount would allow my wife to go as well.

Please remember that this is a volunteer, rider safety related activity which we have participated in for many years. It involves a long day sitting at the side of the road hoping nothing bad happens but being prepared to help if it does.

Any possible funding will be greatly appreciated and if funds in excess of my needs are supplied, I will donate the remainder to the COARES group.

Thanks for your possible consideration.

Paul Hurm, N8OT

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