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WORN WORKS "Seven Hostages Held in Middle East" It was 1985. Carol Weir, a missionary in Beirut for decades, was traveling across America. She was seeking support for government action to get the release of her missionary husband, Benjamin Weir. She visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and spoke to a group of twenty women. Gregg Hartung and I were amazed by the lack of support to her mission. I rode with her to the airport. We had the other occupants get out of the car and I had her audio tape some appeals to write the White House. I asked a church official ridding with us if there was money to send out public affairs spots to radio stations. He said that there was no money. Gregg and I contacted entertainer Steve Allen. He agreed to tape a tag for the spots. Within 12 hours we had produced three radio spots. I called the church official in New York who had been with us in Pittsburgh. I played the spots over the phone and promised him that we could send a copy of the spots to 5,000 stations within 48 hours. I also predicted that at least one thousand radio stations would run them. There was a minute of silence on the phone. Then he said, "If you can get the campaign started immediately, I will have the $13,000 in your hands by mail." The campaign to release Ben and the other hostages was a major success. We learned that over 1,000,000 letters were sent to the White House and they had to hire half a dozen office helpers to handle the mail. We were also able to create television spots with Steve Allen. Catholic Relief Service and the Presbyterian Church underwrote the production. When Ben and the others were released, the book, "Hostage Bound, Hostage Free" was written by Ben, Carol and me. Sometimes ideas can become reality when you move on the inspiration of the moment.
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