Herbert W Armstrong

We received a combined total of 15,316 weekend calls in response to the programs "Young Ambassadors — 1984" and "The Hearts of the Children. "Over 90% (about 13,900) asked for the YOUTH magazine, and more than 500 requested gift subscriptions for friends and relatives.

Although these were not record weekends, they show a significant increase over last year's telecasts which featured the Young Ambassadors:

Airing Date - Weekend Response
September 11-12, 1983 - 3,770 calls
October 23-24, 1983 - 3,480 calls
December 8-9, 1984 - 7,889 calls
December 15-16, 1984 - 7,427 calls

We received an exceptional number of favorable comments about both programs. Those who called were delighted by the uplifting entertainment provided by the Young Ambassadors. They were also impressed by the positive, wholesome attitude and example of the students and the beauty of the College campus.

Many also expressed particular interest in the Church's programs for youth. Nearly 100 asked for information on how their children or grandchildren could attend the Church's SEP camps. Additionally, 50 requested the Youth Bible Lessons — which were mentioned in passing but not directly offered on the program. Following are a few comments made to WATS operators:

I really enjoyed the program and was very impressed with the young people and the College. I would like to visit the campus if possible. I was so interested. I would also like to send the YOUTH magazine to my grandson.
C.B. (Hollywood, CA)

I'm very interested in the YOUTH magazine even though I'm 75. I am a retired librarian for the local schools and miss the contact with young people. I can get it through reading the YOUTH magazine. Mr. Armstrong is a wonderful person, and I'm with him all the way.
R.F. (Carlin, NV)

The campus where the show was filmed is absolutely beautiful! My children were absolutely fascinated with the show and thoroughly enjoyed it!
C.W. (Baltimore, MD)

I usually go to church on Sunday, but I saw the program today and asked my mother if it might be possible for me to go to the camp in Big Sandy, Texas. I would really like to go.
A.A. (Kansas City, MO)

I'm 15, and I think it's kind of neat to go to one of the camps and learn a lot of things. You get to better yourself and learn about God. I think my friend, Carmen, goes to the Worldwide Church of God. She's a nice person.
A. W. (0rrck, MO)

Mr. Armstrong is doing a wonderful thing. Please send me all you can for my two children. I am a teacher with 15 years of experience and I love children. They are our future and these camps help them to break the bad habits.
S.M. (Chelmsford, MA)

There is so much wrong with the world today and these kids need all the help they can get. Not many people are concerned about children, but it’s good to see a man like Mr. Armstrong who really cares.
D.B. (St. Louis, MO)

I think the program was fantastic! I have eight grandchildren, and I'd like it if they could all go to one of your summer camps.
Mrs. W.C. (Shreveport, LA)

Thousands of Dollars Saved on Semiannual Mailing

Remember when you could mail a letter in the United States for a nickel? That was some time ago — 1967 to be exact. However, Mr. Armstrong's recent semiannual letter was mailed to regular subscribers at an average cost of less than five cents per piece. This was quite a blessing for the Church of God.

How were we able to do this? By utilizing special postage rates available to nonprofit organizations who sort their mail down to the finest possible detail. For example, where we have ten or more subscribers on a single mail carrier's delivery route, the postage is only 3.3 cents. There were 1.3 million semiannual letters which qualified for this rate.

Fifty or more pieces going to the same five-digit zip code can be mailed for just 4.3 cents. Half a million semiannual letters were sent by this rate. The remaining letters were mailed for 5.2 cents.

Overall, 2.3 million letters were mailed for about $90,000 or an average of 3.9 cents each. If we had to use the full first class rate, the cost would have been $460,000.

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center