2005 was a good year for the Voice of America Museum. The most
valuable asset the VOA has continues to be the group of talented volunteers
working to both establish the museum and renovate the Bethany Relay Station.
These volunteers give their time generously and without compensation in all
phases of the Museum. Virtually never do they receive all the praise and
recognition that they deserve.
Volunteers from the West Chester Amateur Radio Club have worked
many hours removing both excess equipment and structures from the building.
This volunteer work represents a savings of over $100,000 to the museum.
West Chester ARA hams take a break
The west wing of the Bethany Relay Station was cleared, painted,
and now houses the VOA Gift Shop. The Gift Shop offers craft items made by our
volunteers, items from local artists, and souvenirs related to the Voice of
America and early radio technology. One of the goals for 2006 is to incorporate
the Gift Shop into our website.
The east wing has also been cleared out, painted, and partially
carpeted, and is ready for events. Eventually, this area will comprise the
theater for the VOA Museum.
This year the annual VVOA Pancake Breakfast was held in the theater, raising
over $8,000 for the VOA Restoration.
Pancake breakfast in "The Theater"
Our first Wine Festival, was a big success, and raised almost
$10,000 after expenses. Representatives from the seven local wineries that
participated assured us that making any kind of a profit the first year of what
will be an annual event was an excellent start.
In addition to fund raising, volunteers also worked on projects
for the VOA Park and
the children of the community. Pumpkin Fest was that much more fun
because youngsters that attended received free ghost and pumpkin blanks, cut
out and pre-painted either white or orange by our volunteers. The children were
then supplied with paints and/or marker pens to individualize them.
Thousands of Beanie Babies were collected to send to our troops
in Iraq to give away to Iraqi children.
Volunteers also conducted "home town hero" activities
that contributed greatly to the community's annual Christmas Tree Lighting
event.
Total Revenue Raised by Veterans' VOA in 2005: $42,120.
Museum Improvements paid for by Veterans' VOA in 2005:
$ 42,722 Phase
1 of new heating system
$ 7,000 Drywall
work
$ 7,000 Partial
cost fire wall
$ 1,440 Carpet
instalation
More
improvements and
In-kind Contributions 2005:
$30,000. Stephen
Vamosi, Intertech Design, HVAC study and design system
$10,000. Installation
of outside security doors
$7,000. Installation
of security and fire alarm systems
$ 5,000. Framing
and dry wall to seal openings where heat-exhaust fans were removed
$ 5,000. Nite
Lites Donated Installation and maintenance of exterior lighting
$ 5,000. Maketewah
Country Club donated carpeting for theater
$ 5,000. The
Maids donated Weekly museum cleaning service
