The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 345

4-GL Sunday, May 18, 1986 The Philadelphia Inquirer LIVING SIGN TODAY! (coca Cola Special to The Inquirer ELIZABETH VORHAUER County workers Frank Lombardi (left) and Mike Britt hang a sign at the Camden County parks building to announce Hands Across America event next Sunday Reaching out in S. Jersey to help fight hunger By Eddie Olsen Inquirer Staff Writer Roland Traynor's eyes swelled with tears for a moment. He had been discussing his wife, Bonnie, and their three children, Ryan, 12; Allyson, 8, and Scott, 6. He had also been discussing 'Hands Across America" and what the event means to him. To many, it is an emotional subject.

"I'm thankful to have the opportunity to be part of it," Traynor said. "To me, it will be a special moment in the history of man." He said it meant a lot to him to see so many people wanting to give so much to each other. Traynor, 35, was referring to the event scheduled for next Sunday, when more than six million people are expected to form a human chain across a route, stretching from New York City to Santa Monica, Calif. At 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, participants will be asked to extend their hands to one another.

The linkage will cap efforts to raise at least $50 million for the nation's hungry and homeless. Those who sign up to stand in line are being asked to donate, and pledges also are being sought from others. Traynor, who is Camden County's parks and recreation supervisor, is responsible for overseeing a 15-mile extension of the line. The main route will pass through Philadelphia and an extension will be routed across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and through Camden County, forming the only spur in the nation. A minimum of 19,800 people will be needed for the Camden County spur, based on 1,320 people a mile, a formula worked out by Hands Across America officials.

One of the difficulties is ascertaining, even a week from the event, whether enough people will show more people will be needed to join up. As of the middle of last week, no hands along a 73-mile route that bedefinitive figures were available and gins at the George, Washington organizers were refraining from Bridge in New York City and continmaking estimates. ues through 12 Bergen County There may be four times as many towns, leading through Newark, people as needed; the line may be Princeton and Trenton before exincomplete. tending into Pennsylvania. Residents from other counties, in- "The real message of Hands Across cluding Atlantic, Burlington, Cum- America is that we care about one berland and Gloucester, are being another as human beings," Traynor counted on to join Camden County said.

"In a sense, it is an act of love." residents to complete the human chain, Traynor said. Emma Byrne, 41, of Old Tappan, In northern New Jersey, 100,000 Bergen County, is a publicist and Guidelines for standing in the line Organizers have issued guidelines are handicapped, you should make contribution is $10. Donations also for those who intend to participate transportation arrangements ahead will be accepted after the event. Telein next Sunday's Hands of time by telephoning a county coor- phone 1-800-USA-9000 to make a Across America chain, extending dinator. (Burlington 235-0948, Cam- pledge or contribution.

from New York City to Santa Monica, den 428-1100, Gloucester 589-3096). Bring your radio. There will be a Calif. Arrive at your designated spot 15-minute, nationwide simulcast for Ann Cooper, New Jersey director early; 11 a.m. is a suggested time.

Be three songs, "We Are the World," of Hands Across America, said people prepared to spend the day, "It would "God Bless America" and "Hands should not assume the chain has be an ideal occasion for a family Across America," beginning at 3 p.m. been filled. "We will not be sold out," picnic," said Roland Traynor, Cam- Bring water. Rest stations and Cooper said. "We desperately need den County supervisor of parks and water fountains will not be readily every individual." recreation.

available in most areas. If you are planning to join the Cam- If you do not have a designated Do not bring alcoholic bever. den County spur, here are some tips: spot, show up anyway. Collections ages. Police along the route will be Take a bus or car pool, if possi- for Hands Across America will be enforcing local ordinances.

ble, to get to your spot in line. If you made along the line. The suggested By Eddie Olsen political strategist who has been hired to coordinate media relations for Hands Across America in New Jersey. She describes herself as a "political junkie." She worked two years under Brendan Byrne when he was governor. Brendan Byrne is a cousin to her husband, Peter.

She has been involved in a number of political campaigns, and said she had "special feelings" for Hands Across America. "The issues are noncontroversial," she said. "No one will lose in this campaign. Even if the chain is broken, money will still be raised for the needy. Hunger in this country is real.

From my days as director of public relations for Essex County in Newark, I learned all about hunger, firsthand." Byrne joinnd the New Jersey headquarters of Hands Across America in February along with Ann Cooper, 49, a former councilwoman from Millburn, N.J., who is the state coordinator. Cooper is a corporate writing specialist who is putting in 12-hour days telling the Hands Across America story. "Our greatest concern is to be able to have one long, continuous, unbroken line and not find ourselves in the position of having clusters in one spot and bare spots in another," (Continued on next page).