Floyd Amateur Radio Society (FARS) offers a number of functioning laptop computers by program entitled “LAPTOPS ON LOAN." These are loaned for use by high school students of Floyd County who show interest and need by the process of application. This program was initialized by FARS president Tom King (W4VZH), who was aware of a need by area students to have laptop computers to assist in studies and to fulfill school and college pursuit obligations. Selected recipients of these computers will h...

Clement James (J73CI), of Dominica, informs that 2 new battery banks are needed for repeaters at Haut Jean and Haut Fraser. FAIRS made arrangements to pay for the batteries and shipment has been made.

Tens of thousands of dollars of food are being distributed by Plenty! each month to people in our community here in Floyd, Virginia. For the month of June, as an example- In-Kind donations to Plenty! (food): $10,026.95 Food distributed by Plenty!: $10,980.80 Pickups at the Plenty! Food Bank: 61 appointments Portable Produce: 376 deliveries Wednesday Free Lunch: 125 meals served For more information about Plenty! and its projects, visit their website: http://www.plentylocal.org/

FAIRS participates in "Field Day" at Chantilly Farm with amateur radio operators of the community and members of FARS. Field Days are held annually by amateur radio clubs in order to practice communications using alternative power sources, as may be necessary in an emergency. A “Get On The Air" (GOTA) station was held this year, which is an opportunity for newly licensed amateurs and non-licensed persons to experience first-hand the fun of amateur radio!

FAIRS is host to Helen Goncharsky of FAIRS Ukraine. It has been over 22 years since directors David and Gaynell Larsen traveled to Ukraine and began this friendship - Helen was one of the charter members of FAIRS. Helen engaged in an array of activities and participated at a number of local and regional events during the course of her stay in Floyd, VA.

FAIRS participates in “Kids Day”, an on-air event to encourage young people (licensed or not) to have fun with Amateur Radio. It is designed to give on-the-air experience to youngsters and hopefully foster interest in getting a license of their own. It is also intended to give older hams a chance to share their station and love for Amateur Radio with the children. This was held at Chantilly Farm with members of the school club in attendance.

For the last six years, FAIRS and its supporters have sponsored a summer intern program from initiative entitled, “I Can! ... My Directed Thought for the Future." Local students Autumn Townley, Amber Ingram, Rina van Blerk, and Nate Cleveland were paid interns as a result. Interns learn a variety of skills, built upon their interests, to help them achieve their goals in the years to come. Amber, Rina, and Nate (the newest intern: 2012) participated in the program during summer 2013.