Funds missing at educational rocketry event
Donation protected
Robert DeHate, owner of Animal Motor Works (AMW), was robbed while volunteering and supporting the Spaceport America Cup student rocket competition, this past Saturday, 6/25.
Robert and his wife, Gloria, who live in Phoenix, have been leaders in the rocketry hobby for years. They often work as a team at many launches throughout the US with their ability to offer onsite and online advice and guidance. Unfortunately, Gloria had just been diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer and had to stay home for her first chemotherapy treatment.
Roberts commitment to this event compelled him to attend arriving early to Spaceport, to offer hands on expertise to help students with motor assembly and a myriad of other needs brought to him.
His knowledge was invaluable to the teams, as many students expressed that their flight would not have been successful without his help.
Robert worked long hours, up at 3AM and through the night answering questions by phone from some of the teams at the launch. He stayed until the very last rocket was flown on Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately, sometime on that Saturday, with him busy helping students, someone entered his RV and took more than $8000 cash.
The vertical launch area at Spaceport was secured with only student teams and volunteers allowed. Knowing this, it did not occur to him that a member of this program would break in and take this money.
There were over 150 International teams and almost 2000 people at this event – the chance of recovering this cash was nearly impossible.
For Robert and Gloria, Animal Motor Works and the work they do for events like this is their livelihood. Robert is unique to this hobby because of his knowledge, passion, and dedication to helping students like the ones who attended the Spaceport America Cup.
Lets make sure that Robert and Gloria can continue to attend and support events like this. We are now asking all who have benefitted from Roberts keen guidance to donate to this campaign. They need our help now.
Robert and his wife, Gloria, who live in Phoenix, have been leaders in the rocketry hobby for years. They often work as a team at many launches throughout the US with their ability to offer onsite and online advice and guidance. Unfortunately, Gloria had just been diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer and had to stay home for her first chemotherapy treatment.
Roberts commitment to this event compelled him to attend arriving early to Spaceport, to offer hands on expertise to help students with motor assembly and a myriad of other needs brought to him.
His knowledge was invaluable to the teams, as many students expressed that their flight would not have been successful without his help.
Robert worked long hours, up at 3AM and through the night answering questions by phone from some of the teams at the launch. He stayed until the very last rocket was flown on Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately, sometime on that Saturday, with him busy helping students, someone entered his RV and took more than $8000 cash.
The vertical launch area at Spaceport was secured with only student teams and volunteers allowed. Knowing this, it did not occur to him that a member of this program would break in and take this money.
There were over 150 International teams and almost 2000 people at this event – the chance of recovering this cash was nearly impossible.
For Robert and Gloria, Animal Motor Works and the work they do for events like this is their livelihood. Robert is unique to this hobby because of his knowledge, passion, and dedication to helping students like the ones who attended the Spaceport America Cup.
Lets make sure that Robert and Gloria can continue to attend and support events like this. We are now asking all who have benefitted from Roberts keen guidance to donate to this campaign. They need our help now.
Organizer
Robert DeHate
Organizer
Glendale, AZ
