Dear PET-Kin,
A call from Walt Hays yesterday gave information for us but also showed us the scope of his efforts for PET. Briisbane, Australia is going to open a PET Project. They are sending a man to Penney Farm, Florida for 10 days of training. This sprouted from seeds Walt plantede about 2 years ago during a Lions convention down there. We will be sending 4 PETs to the Philippines some time during holy week when several Catholic priests Led by Father Tom of Anchorage join local priests for mission work. We will also be sending one PET to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where it will be stabled for periodic parades. A married couple have asked for one to support their efforts on behalf of PET. Finally, 4 boxes of wood parts will be coming from our PET-Kin in Anchorage enough for 10 PETs. Walt is in Spokane visiting his wife’s Dad and passed all that on in a phone call. Walt and Joan are a stream of energy working for PET all over the world including a project in Cameroon.
Back at home, we continue to produce more PETs than our logistician can keep parts in inventory. Our shortage of upper chain guards has been helped by our PET-Kin in Missouri sending us 2 dozen. Then Bill worked overtime to produce 67 more which are being painted by Apex but … Again… When we change one thing, it effects something else. When we asked Bill to not drill the hole in the chain guard, it left Apex with no place to hang the chain guard during powder coating. I had to have them drill a small hole in the side. We are over half way to completing our current iteration of 50 PETs. Without any intent to increase production, I think we’ve just become more efficient and effective in our work that productivity increases. I want to specifically acknowledge our team of painters who are keeping up with all of this and still giving us the bright and cheerful Rainbow PETs. Jim Dixon is leaving for Rwanda (2 trips). For one he was specifically asked to go because of his knowledge of medical machines. The second is with the team with which he has gone twice before. He may be speaking the local languages when he returns in the late Spring. The rest of the paint team includes Tom Crowe, Joe Kramarz, Don Mortenson and Larry Cook. We could use more men on that team if we can find some more volunteers. Our 1000th PET has been completed and was beautifully painted by Buck Foster. It is on display at Colbert Presbyterian Church.
Dick Carpenter
