UP FRONT
VOCAL-A Worthwhile Project
When we read that a child has been abducted, it
chills our hearts. We breathe a sigh of thanks that it
wasn't our own child. We read the headlines and scan the
story, maybe cry tears of sympathy for the family, and
forget about it as we throw the paper out.
The tragic reality is that it doesn't just happen to
extrordinary people, but to ordinary families just like
yours and mine. According to published sources, 60 kids
disappear every day!
The story of Adam (made into a TV movie), the little
boy abducted from a shopping center and found
murdered, struck feelings of horror in everyone who saw
it. Though hoping for a happy ending, it's the exception,
not the rule . A friend of mine said he didn't watch the
movie because the thought of what happened to Adam
was too horrible to deal with . How much harder if it were
your own child!
A group of operators in Oregon formed an organi-
zation called VOCAL (Video Operators Children's Alert
Line), hoping to be a part of more happy endings. This
non -profit group is circulating posters of missing children
to operators who in turn post them in their locations.
VOCAL is working in connection with other groups such
as Hide & Seek, started by a family who had lost several
children, and the Missing Children's network in Ohio.
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A recent TV show, McGrouder & Loud, focused on
a child molester who picked up victims in, you guessed it ,
an arcade . VOCAL is operators trying to dispel! the
myth that arcades are horrible places for kids to go and
people in the coin-op industry are unsavory characters.
"I believe our involvement is saying that we really do care
and are concerned about the welfare of children," said
Dick McNicholas, VOCAL coordinator.
The AMOA has voiced its support of VOCAL and
has urged all state associations to become involved . No
effort can be too great in returning a child to his parents. I
can't think of a cause more worthy of a concentrated
effort on the part of the coin machine industry. It's a rare
opportunity to band together to help children who can't
help themselves.
Play Meter will do its share in this project by printing
the current poster. Operators can tear out the page,
make copies, and post it in their locations. We will also
contact advertisers to give them the opportunity to
sponsor this page with the proceeds going to VOCAL to
help them cover expenses. The advertisers' name will
appear on the poster as the sponsor.
I strongly urge every member of this industry to
pitch in and make the public aware of the good works this
industry can do. There are other projects an arcade
operator can look into- posting signs or pamphlets
warning children of the danger of strangers. If you need
information or a phone number of VOCAL , please call.
And remember, you really can make a difference .
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PLAY METEP., May 1 5, 1985
VllLaUJ~~
Valerie Cognevich
Associate Editor
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