FAIRS works to educate locals and visitors to understand why emergency and recreational usage of amateur radio is important. At the Floyd Town Jubilee, FAIRS sponsored a fun radio talk and activities for children to take part in demonstrating the usage of amateur radio. FAIRS also attended the following Floyd Community events: SustainFloyd, Oak Grove Pavilion, Community Market Pavilion in Downtown Floyd, and Dickens of a Station. The Foundation adopted a section of state route 8 in Floyd County through the Adopt-a-Highway program to further their goodwill in the community. FAIRS members also open their homes to many international visitors which increases FAIRS members’ knowledge of the area they provide support to and broadens the horizon of the visitor. “I CAN! … MY DIRECTED THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE” is a program created by FAIRS to benefit local students. Autumn Townly and Amber Ingram benefited through paid internships program during the summers of 2008 through 2010. Autumn and Amber learned many valuable skills throughout their internship which in turn prepared then for future career paths. Educational books regarding disaster preparedness, disaster prevention, and basic first aid manuals are available for sale at half-price at the Village Green in Suites 8 & 9 allowing the materials to be more affordable to families. GPS units are also available at the Village Greens for only a security deposit for families to use for a variety of reasons. FAIRS continued their support of the Floyd Community as director David Larsen donated land to begin the Community Garden. The Floyd Community Garden located at 177 Webbs Mill Road, Rt. 8 invites individuals and organizations to take part in growing crops fight hunger and provide healthy food. April 30^th, 2011 is the opening celebration for the garden for the coming season, with the year’s goal to improve health and reduce hunger in Floyd County. The land for the garden which was divided into 10’ x 10’ plots that are available through an application process. Mike Mallabone provides education and support for those who are first-time gardeners, and those with physical, mental or financial challenges. Plenty! oversees the community garden with the help of co-founders Karen Day and McCabe Coolidge, more information is available at their webpage www.plentylocal.org. During previous years a project to erect a radio tower on top of the new Village Square was completed. The tower now serves as an attraction for locals and visitors in downtown Floyd. Floyd’s community tower made amateur radio connections continuous across the eastern part of Virginia. Visitors and locals are invited to visit the Village Green Suites 8 & 9 to use the amateur radio station alongside a licensed operator using the call sign N4USA. The Floyd Professional Center (FPC) located in the Village Green at 201 East Main Street in Floyd was designed to be an incubator for small businesses. The center worked diligently to be a prosperous and technology-based future in Floyd. FLOYD VIRIGINIA, a full color magazine highlighted the average person’s ideas about Floyd County. The magazine shares unique stories of the county in this, its 4^th year. David Larsen owner, and Jason Gallimore lead promoter of Chantilly Farm, work to update several multi-media sites including Twitter, www.lcfvideo.com, www.n4usatv.com, online and printed newsletters. These sites allowed supporters and interested individuals in our cause to see what projects the Foundation is currently completing. FAIRS was able to transmit live at 20 and 40 meters during the Floyd County Harvest Festival on September 11, 2010. SustainFloyd hosted a breakfast, served by Natasha’s at the Community Market. During the event contact was also made with hams from Oklahoma, Texas and other distant locations. A tractor was on hand with a 25,000 watt generator ready for emergency power, in case of an emergency.

In previous years FAIRS worked diligently to maintain and enhance assistance to villages and radio clubs abroad. The Dominican Amateur Radio Club (DARC) is working to use their new headquarters for more community activities such as: communication training and a center of relief activities. DARCI members have been instrumental in providing volunteers and training individuals over the island in communications, emergency assistance, and community service. After the training was administered Haiti experienced a natural disaster and four DARCI members traveled to their country to assist them. Presidents of DARCI Clement Pierre-Louis J73Pl and Clem James J73CI continue to serve as liaisons to the Dominican government. FAIRS directors David and Gaynell Larsen and members Tom King W4VZH, Seth Sjoestrom J79/SMOXBI, Tore Sandstrom J79/SM7CBS, George Morriss J79KUB and other members serve as volunteers in Dominica. These volunteers worked throughout the last few years to update systems, repair equipment, do installations, complete trainings provide motivational and monetary support. Communications equipment, supplies, and medicines were transported and delivered too many places in Dominica. FAIRS has encouraged other operators and volunteers from across the United States to take part in this relief work. Repeater cards are needed to maintain the club’s communications across the island and President Clem James accepted the repeater cards for the DARCI that were gifted by FAIRS. The usage of the Hf station is increasing the islands ability to have high quality communications. The Disaster Management Committee (DMC) functions on its own with few requests to FAIRS for assistance. Chairperson Hyacinth Thomas provides FAIRS with periodical updates regarding their emergency plan, in which they have established 10 safe homes for the hurricane prone area of Castle Bruce, Dominica. Since the facilities for Castle Bruce’s Amateur Radio Club are augmented they have plenty of room to hold meetings and community events. Kids for Christ (KFC) provides lunches for 50 school children three times per week because there is no public program providing the service. Also, since few students have access to a computer, printer, writing, and art supplies KFC provides the materials to students in need. Josanna Lockhart of Castle Bruce, Dominica is the head of Dominicans Against Drugs (DAD), is also enrolled at Caribbean Wesleyan in Jamaica. She also oversees ministries within Castle Bruce and the Kalinago Territory. Pilgrim Community Pre-School is a new program located in a renovated basement of a church in Castle Bruce, Dominica. The pre-school program received a donated playground with equipment and a swing set which is in the process of being set up. FAIRS is working to help a new initiative to serve the elderly of the Kalinago Territory. Currently trash bags of food and household goods are collected and delivered to families a number of times during the past year. Hyacinth Thomas is key in the operation of a regional clinic which services the many needy families in the area, medically. A pay as you are able clinic is also available to those in need, medical services are provided by Missionaries and Nurse Germain. FAIRS gathers medical supplies and funding to support the free health checks and treatments at the pay as you are able clinic. FAIRS and the Rotary Club of Floyd are working alongside the Dominican Rotary to meet the self-reliance goals of the Kalinago people. The needs of the Kalinago people have been established ad FAIRS is working to satisfy those needs. The support plan includes cooperating with key members of Rotary Clubs and monitoring certain mutual projects once implemented. Gloria Tavernier works with Rotary International to assist the Kalinago people who are in need. The Agricultural Training Project in Castle Bruce also continues from year to year providing job specific training. The Wotten Waven Community Center was dedicated on October 9, 2009, providing a reception/conference center, bathrooms, and a public internet café. Six computers were provided for shared use between adults and children for the purpose of work and learning with the usage closely monitored.. The Wotten Waven Improvement Committee is now known as the Wotten Waven Development Committee (WWDC). WWDC is receiving assistance from FAIRS to create a Sulfur River Tour as a unique attraction for the village. The trail may become part of a flagship trail project in Dominica benefitting the whole village. FAIRS and other Volunteers offer “helps” offering school supplies, teaching materials, books and more to school-aged children benefitting their education. Many Dominicans receive higher education then move away from the island. FAIRS is working to keep those educated individuals on the island by creating startup businesses. These startup businesses are intended to pique the interest of the educated individuals and encourage them to work on the island. FAIRS supports Rayburn Blackmoore’s goodwill activities for poorer communities in Dominica and his work towards his community. Additional radio equipment including handy talkies, two-way radios, antennas, connectors, coax antenna feed line, training materials and other items were supplied to several radio clubs. Bangladesh is looking forward to the installation of their repeaters, but the project is still on hold, but FAIRS is ready when the government clears the project. The Grendada Amateur Radio Club can now conduct exams for amateur radio licensing. The Islanders also have their own disaster preparedness plan with willing volunteers. FAIRS worked diligently to provide equipment, literature, Hi-gain antenna, and peripheral equipment to insure they are prepared in case of an emergency. The Love One Teach One Foundation (LOTO) was founded by Gloria Walsh; her foundation provides food and tutoring for many students. FAIRS provided monetary support for needed items such as furniture and appliances to the LOTO Foundation. Through Walsh’s program she invited people to adopt a child to make their life better on the island. In April of 2010 Walsh was contacted about more available funding being provided by Children’s Fun and O. D. Brisbane and Sons, Ltd. from Dominica. Fort Young Hotel prepares lunch for the children while the Kubuli Beverage Company of Dominica donates two cases of drinks each week. Gloria will later be interviewed for a television program about her unique program LOTO. Operation Youth Quake is a shelter/home for youth who are neglected or abused focusing on giving youth a better life situation. School supplies, clothes, shoes, sporting equipment and hygiene items that are donated during the course of a year which are donated to the program. In addition to those listed above FAIRS also supports other Ministries who support amateur radio or other charitable organizations, like those listed below:

-Tina Alexander of Lifeline Ministries – Focuses on children who suffer from AIDS.

-Josanna Lockhart of Castle Bruce Dominica –head of Dominicans Against Drugs (DAD), subsidiary children’s programs, and is attending Caribbean Wesleyan in Jamaica.

-Operation Mobilization – Mission teams serving individuals and transforming communities in a positive manner.

Ghana located in West Africa received fresh water from the government at a nominal price because of assistance from FAIRS. Missionaries for the area were provided with bikes as a practical form of transport between the communities they serve. Summer of 2010 FAIRS donated items that Brian Lloyd WB6RQN transported to Dominica. Brian visits Dominica on a regular basis and helps the DARCI to improve their repeater system, by making it more resistant to lightning and more likely to survive a hurricane.  The station includes a Flex 3000 transceiver, MacBook Pro laptop, SGC-231 tuner, 10m rectangular loop oriented east/west, Astron SS-30 power supply. Clem J73CI supplied photos of the trip to the repeater site. Besides Brian and Clem, participants in the installation were: Clement Pierre Louis J73CPL (President of the DARCI). Joseph Raymond J73RJ (Vice President), Conrad Jederon J73CAJ (Field Day operations), Glensworth Mason J73GM (Operations and Maintenance).  The crew thoroughly enjoyed the trip, the installation was successful deeming the project complete.

FAIRS works with local groups and area schools to provide experiential learning for students in the areas of communications, business and agriculture. Training times and educational outings were offered throughout 2009 and 2010 and members of FAIRS & FARS invited students to join. FAIRS created the program “I CAN! … MY DIRECTED THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE” in which take home materials for encouragement, the provocation of thought and financial assistance was provided. The program also provided two paid summer internships for local students Autumn Townley and Amber Ingram. During their internships one of their many jobs was to attend the August 17, 2009 Floyd County High School (FCHS) Orientation and pass out copies of SUCCESS for Teens^TM. SUCCESS for Teens^TM’s intended to address skills such as time management, goal setting, and finding a sense of purpose. Additional books were donated to the Exceptional Eagle Award Program at Franklin County High School. As FAIRS works to prepare themselves for an emergency value is also placed on community members. For this reason GPS units and family radios are available to use for only a security payment. Also books on disaster preparedness, prevention, and first aid are also available at the Village Green in Suites 8 & 9. Floyd Elementary School was engaged in a fundraiser to build a picnic shelter. FAIRS assisted in their gift basket program by providing fillers. The idea arose in Floyd for a community garden and FAIRS jumped on board as a supporter to provide experiential learning for agriculture. Marie Stout of Heavenly Mountain Acupuncture began the initiative for the garden to begin. After FAIRS donated a section of land citizens of Floyd jumped in to take part. Many of the healthy crops grown in the garden are donated to Floyd’s Plenty! Program. Plenty! An agriculture based group co-lead by Karen Day and McCabe Collidge work together to oversee the community garden project. More information regarding the organization can be found at http://www.plentylocal.org/ . Finally, education and motivational materials have been secured for distribution through area schools and community programs.

To further involve the Floyd community in amateur radio, FAIRS and members of the community erected a radio tower on The Station in downtown Floyd last year. This tower connected amateur radio communications the eastern half of Virginia. The tower promotes emergency communications, education, outreach to our community, and those who visit our locality. Please drop in the Floyd Professional Center Suites 8 and use our station as a licensed ham operator, or alongside a ham operator using the call sign n4usa.

The Floyd Professional Center (FPC) located in the Village Green in downtown Floyd serves as a stepping stone for small businesses in our area. FPC is working to insure a prosperous and technology based future for Floyd County and our small businesses. FAIRS hosts the webpage www.floydcountyvirginia.org to promote businesses of any kind or size in Floyd County and Surrounding areas. Businesses or idividuals advertise for free by becoming a user on the site and classifying their businesses. The FLOYD VIRGINIA, magazine highlights typical local ideas by telling unique stories about our small town businesses and people. In two years more than 100,000 copies of the magazine were distributed throughout Floyd for free. As social media is becoming more relevant to the general public owner David Larsen and LCF group assistant Cheryl Thompson worked to update FAIRS sites, The outlets used to inform our members and friends are twitter, www.lcfvideo.com, www.n4usatv.com, printed and electronic newsletters. Online Newsletters sent to subscribers build global friendships and raise awareness for FAIRS. If you are interested in reviving a online newsletter please e-mail us at faris@getresponse.com

FAIRS also values their international relationships, especially those built in the Caribbean Country of Dominica. Construction is complete on Dominica Amateur Radio Club International (DARCI) headquarters. The headquarters is equipped with a classroom, restroom facilities, additional communications capabilities, and serves as the center of relief activities. FAIRS held a large hand in supporting the construction of the building in previous years. Four ham operators who were trained by FAIRS, and DARCI presidents Clement Pierre-Louis J73CPL and Clem James J73CI are liaisons between the club and their government in Dominica. Volunteers David and Gaynell Larsen, Tom King W4VZH, Seth Sjoestrom J79/SMOXBI, Tore Sandstrom, and George Morris J79KUB worked countless hours to update systems, repair equipment, complete installations, training, motivational and monetary support. While in Dominica ham operators from across the country and those listed above have banned together to provide communication equipment, supplies and medicine to many in Dominica. Clem James J73CI received repeater cards used to maintain amateur radio systems across the nation from FAIRS representatives. Members of FAIRS work to insure that they are in contact with those they support in Dominica at least on a weekly basis.

Support to the Dominican Village of Castle Bruce is provided in many forms by FAIRS. Volunteers during their trip to the area reinforced or replaced existing equipment, provided additional power, and donated funds for maintenance services. The use of radios donated in the 2008-2009 year was monitored by volunteers as well. The Hf station donated last year is benefitting the community and licensed ham operators by increasing their communication capabilities. The Disaster Management Committee in Dominica now functional mainly on its own, Chairperson Hyacinth Thomas provides regular reports of emergency planning for the area and rarely asked for equipment or training. New meeting facilities are ready for use now that the facilities have been augmented for the Disaster Management Committee. FAIRS continues supporting Kids for Christ (KFC) feeding program for school aged children. Since no public program for meals for the needy is avaliable, KFC is a vital program in Castle Bruce. Lunches are prepared at an increased three times per week to approximately 50 students per meal. The center also offers after school help in which art supplies, a computer and printer are available as resources for many students do not have them at home. Josanna Lockhart, a student from Castle Bruce Dominica, is attending Caribbean Wesleyan in Jamaica. Lockhart is also the head of Dominicans against Drugs (DAD) and subsidiary children’s programs. Lastly she is the overseer of ministries within the village of Castle Bruce and to the Caribbean Territory of Kainago. Previously FAIRS supported the Kainago territory through collections of house hold goods in trash bags of food a few times a year. FAIRS is now looking for better and more efficient ways to serve the territory. The Rotary Club of Floyd, Rotary Club International and FAIRS are partnering to assist Kalinago in their goals of self-reliance. Pilgrim Community Preschool is located in the renovated basement of a church in Castle Bruce. In addition to the learning provided by the school a playground is being constructed for the students’ enjoyment. Hyacinth Thomas provides a region clinic for the needy families in the area. FAIRS additionally supports a portable pay as you are able clinic. This program is provided by mission workers in the area. A Medical supplies and the funding to support these free health checks and treatment are provided by FAIRS. Nurse Germain is one set of hands that works to complete these health checks in the pay as you are able clinic.

Dominicans wish to have job specific training, to meet their wish the agricultural Training Project in Castle Bruce continues to make progress in training individuals. After FAIRS donated funds for a community center construction project completed and dedicated on October 9, 2014. With Government assistance the community center in Wotten Waven is complete. The center now comes complete with a reception/conference area, restroom facilities, and a public-use internet café. Computers for community sharing and use also opened in the Wotton Waven village. Children and adults alike can enjoy the benefits of working and learning with the technology of the six monitored computers. FAIRS is working to tourists a proposed Sulphur River Tour for citizens and supports to enjoy. This idea part of a flagship trail project on Dominica to benefit the village of Wotten Waven. In an effort to further encourage a better education FAIRS and volunteers have worked to implement helps which offer school supplies, teaching materials, books, and more to school-aged children. As FAIRS continues to encourage educated students to stay in their community they are actively supporting startup businesses and entrepreneurialism based on interest and demand. These start-up businesses will hopefully encourage educated locals to seek to stay on the island instead of moving to other countries or islands. FAIRS also continues to sponsor Hon Rayburn Blackmoore and his goodwill activities for less fortunate communities on the Island of Dominica.

FAIRS also works to increase means of communications and economic development in the following countries; Grenada, St. Lucia, Guyana, Canada, Bangladesh, and Ukraine. These countries were shipped handy talkies, two-way radios, antennas, connectors, coaz antenna feed line, and additional training materials. Bangladesh’s government is still causing hold ups on installations of their repeaters. Once thse hindrances are cleared FAIRSs will be ready to help with the installation process. The Islanders of Grenada, now have a recognized radio club, ready to conduct exams for amateur radio licenses. The club also completed their own disaster preparedness plan and have volunteers ready when the need arises. FAIRS worked to donate radio equipment, literature, funds, Hi-gain antenna, and peripheral equipment for the Grenada Amateur Radio Club to further their knowledge and communication abilities. If you are interested in learning more about the club please visit www.garc.gd/ .

FAIRS not only focuses on amateur radio, but also on sharing Christianity across Dominica. The non-profit, Love One, Teach One (LOTO) founded by Gloria Walsh works to feed and tutor children of impoverish families. FAIRS provides monetary support and assistance with requested items such as furniture and appliances for the program. One of the many programs under LOTO is sponsoring a child, where individuals are encouraged to support one child to make an impact in their life. Gloria Walsh is working diligently and making great strides towards completing goals in here organization. In April of 2010 Gloria received news that she will also receive grant funding for her LOTO program from local businesses. Fort Young Hotel will prepare lunch meals for Gloria to pick up and Kubuli Beverage Co. of Dominica will donate two cases of beverage each week. Operation Youth Quake a shelter for youth who are neglected and abused is run by executive director Lennox Abraham. This program provides positive environments for youth in less than ideal life situations. Abraham trains individuals who wish to volunteer at the shelter on how to be an effective leader to the youth. During the past year FAIRS donated items such as school supplies, clothes, shoes, sporting equipment, and hygiene items. In addition ti the causes above FAIRS supports worthy individuals and projects related to ham radio and charitable outreach including:

-Tina Alexander – Lifeline Ministries and other various programs in Dominica especially serving families who have children infected with AIDS.

-Josanna Lockhart – Dominican Against Drugs (DAD) working to continue her education at Caribbean Wesleyan, and support other subsidiary children’s programs, FAIRS supports all of her programs.

-Joan L. and Other Missionaries – Operation Mobilization where mission teams are serving individuals and transforming communities.

Ghana, West Africa and Mongolia are in need of fresh water and means of communication. FAIRS worked diligently to provide underwriting and funds for the programs they needed. After funds and items were donated, missionaries were able to share items, fresh water, and the gospel in the communities. In order to ship the freshwater from one place to another a truck was gifted to the community last year. Since missionaries in these areas serve multiple communities, bicycles were provided as form of practical transportation.

FAIRS was able to achieve their goal of moving their focus to include their local community while still maintaining support and relationships abroad

FAIRS also supports missions of faith and community construction, especially within the Commonwealth of Dominica. This includes dispatch churches, service teams, increased available resources for various groups, Christian Education and providing food for families in need. The “Love One, Teach One” (LOTO) Foundation works to help feed and tutor children of impoverished families. FAIRS provided monetary support to the LOTO Foundation, and helped supply items including furniture and appliances. Founder Gloria Walsh began many programs within the foundation including one in which individuals are encouraged to sponsor a child. Please visit www.loveoneteachone.org for more information regarding this foundation. FAIRS also supports the following groups or individuals and their endeavors:

–Tina Alexander of Lifeline Ministries who works on various projects on the island of Dominica focusing on serving those children who are infected with AIDS.

–Josanna Lockhart of Castle Bruce, Dominica, who is beginning her education at Caribbean Wesleyan. She also oversees Dominicans Against Drugs (DAD) and subsidiary children’s programs.

–Operation Mobilization: mission teams serving individuals and transforming communities.

–Other missionaries and churches with outreach to the same groups or communities

In addition to FAIRS aid to Dominica, communication support also benefits Ghana, West Africa. Funds were raised to benefit those communities located in Ghana by providing fresh water, communication equipment, and the message of the Gospel. FAIRS provided the materials and funds while the hands on work was completed by missionaries because of cultural preference. As a practical form of transportation between communities missionaries were provided with bicycles so they could work effectively.

Not only does FAIRS function internationally, but also within the local community here in Floyd, Virginia. The work extends to train local citizens as ambassadors to assist in emergency or community services as ham radio operators. Local volunteers are cooperating with groups and service organizations more effectively than in recent years. Training times and education outing are regularly attended which led to an increase in new licensees and members. Winlink 2000, an online worldwide program designed to handle message for radio purposes now serving Floyd ham operators at 1450070 mhz. The Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association (DERA) provides a memorandum of operation of which FAIRS operates according to. During all phases of an emergency DERA allows for professionals, volunteers, and organizations to be linked. Tom King W4VZH, the Floyd County Emergency Coordinator, and FAIRS work together as a team effort. The 2008 Dayton Hamvention, attended by Tom King, provided ideas of several opportunities for expanding volunteerism and goodwill. Additional visibility for the goodwill efforts of HAM radio operators in Floyd is provided by an Adopt a Highway program located along state route 8 which began in 2006. Monthly meetings are hosted to provide classroom instruction and field instruction for local citizens interested in becoming a ham operator or taking part in Floyd County Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES). In order to inform the Floyd Community of the importance of HAM operations, presentations are made at local functions, articles written to be published in the Floyd Press and speaking to community members.

            Experiential learning opportunities are provided for students in the area of communications, businesses, and agriculture. FAIRS began “I CAN! … MY DIRECTED THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE” as a local student program providing take home materials for encouragement and provocation of thought. Economic assistance I also provided to students of the program for the purpose of community development and greater goodwill. FAIRS works to insure that materials for education and motivational purposed are spread through the community and local schools.  FAIRS, as a part of the LCF Group also began the first student internship position in 2008 held by Autumn Townley.

In order to better the Floyd Community FAIRS participates alongside many local programs. Such as the Floyd Professional Center, located in the Village Green in downtown Floyd, which is an incubator for small businesses and serves as a next step toward a prosperous, technology-based future in Floyd. In order to further the sense of community within local businesses www.floydcountyvirginia.org was created to increase visibility of all types of business within Floyd and surrounding localities, encouraging locals and tourists to “Find it Faster Online!” FLOYD VIRGINIA, a full color magazine, highlights the everyman perspective in Floyd County and tells unique stories about our small town, businesses, and our people. The Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter editions were a huge success as more than 25,000 copies were distributed in 2008 and the number more than doubled in 2009. Finally, FAIRS is erecting a radio tower on top of the Village Square in the Town of Floyd for public use and as an attraction. This tower allowed amateur radio communications to be continuous over the eastern half of the state. The tower will provide a promotion of the Town and County of Floyd, emergency communications, education, outreach to our community and those who visit our locality.

An additional outreach is our newly redesigned website, www.floydcountyvirginia.org which should spur locals on to increased visibility and revenues for their particular trade or craft, and a greater sense of community amongst individuals and businesses.

FAIRS will take advantage of some PR/goodwill opportunities as part of the newly released full-color magazine, FLOYD VIRGINIA, which hit the newsstands end of April 2008.  10,000 copies are being distributed locally and regionally, in order to highlight the “every man” in Floyd County and tell unique stories about our small town businesses and people.

Click here for more pictures

In Dominica:

DARCI headquarters has erected security fence, completed much additional construction, including a classroom for communications training, restroom facilities, additional communications capabilities, etc.  This site continues as center of relief activities during disaster.

DARCI club members have been instrumental in providing volunteers and training individuals all over the island in communications, emergency assistance, and community service.  The number of licensed volunteers has increased exponentially.

DARCI president Clem James J73CI continues to be a liaison for working communications in government.
FAIRS directors David and Gaynell Larsen, and members Tom King W4VZH, Seth Sjoestrom J79/SM0XBI, and George Morriss J79KUB have worked countless hours as volunteers to update systems, repair equipment, do installations and training, and provide motivational and other support.

Communications equipment, supplies and medicines were transported and distributed to many in Dominica.  Amateur radio operators/Volunteers from all over the nation have stepped up to help with this.
FAIRS gives motivational support to club members multiple times each week.

Castle Bruce:  Supplied radios to new amateur radio enthusiasts and emergency personnel, plus a central Hf station to benefit the community.

Disaster Management Committee functions largely on its own, with request to FAIRS for equipment and communications training from time to time. They are implementing an “emergency plan”, and have established 10 “safe homes”, or shelters in this hurricane-prone village on the Atlantic.  We receive report from Chairperson Hyacinth Thomas regularly.  Approximately 20 newly trained operators in the village in 2007, ready to serve the community.

Funds continue to go out in order to sustain the wonderfully valuable KFC (Kids for Christ) feeding program for the school children.  There is no public program for meals, many live in outlying areas, and hot meals are not common.  Lunches are prepared and served at an increased 3x per week, around 50 children per feeding!!  Also provided in the center is “after school help”: computer/printer limited to use for homework, and writing & art supplies, which most do not have at home.

Hyacinth Thomas is involved with the set-up of an additional clinic for the region which will be opening soon to service the many needy families in the area, medically.

Learning has commenced in a new pre-school program (in a renovated facility in the basement of a church in Castle Bruce).

FAIRS and volunteers have implemented “helps” which offer school supplies, teaching materials, books and more to school-aged children, who can benefit by better education.

FAIRS is actively supporting “start up” business and entrepreneurialism based on interest and demand, whereby educated locals may seek to “stay” on the island rather than move to other countries/islands with their skills and resources.

FAIRS helped to sponsor goodwill activities for communities in Dominica.

In Grenada, St. Lucia and Guyana, The Eastern Caribbean, Canada, Bangladesh, Sweden and Ukraine:
Shipped radio equipment including a supply of handy talkies, two-way radios, antennas, connectors, coax antenna feed line, plus training materials, etc. FAIRS members in these countries are consistently active.

Grenada Amateur Radio Club is now recognized as the body to conduct exams for amateur radio licenses.  These islanders have exercised their own disaster preparedness plan, and equipped their volunteers for the job.  FAIRS has given radio equipment, literature and funds for outreach.

FAIRS gives motivational support to club members on a nearly weekly basis. In Support of Good Works and Communities:

The non-profit “Love One, Teach One Foundation” has begun programs which help to feed and tutor many children of impoverished families.  FAIRS has given much monetary support, and help with needed items, including furniture and appliances.   Gloria Walsh, founder, has set up a program which allows individuals to “sponsor a child”.

FAIRS has continued support of several worthy projects & individual achievements related to ham radio and charitable outreach:
-Tina Alexander of Lifeline Ministries, who helps with various projects in Dominica and serves families with children who have illnesses
-Josanna Lockhart of Castle Bruce, DA, now on Logos 2 – “Reaching the Unreached”
-Joanna Lockhart of Castle Bruce, DA, now over DAD (Dominicans Against Drugs) and subsidiary children’s programs- support for all programs
-Ronnie Wilson and church members from Rocky Mount, VA, on mission to Ecuador
-Operation Mobilization: mission teams serving individuals and transforming communities.

Helen is from Lviv, Ukraine and is a superb contester who won many CW competitions during Soviet times. She is a DXCC award holder who has contacted nearly every DX country on every node.  Helen is part of the Goncharsky family, which helped to form the FAIRS organization back in the early 90’s: You may know her father-in-law Vladimir (Ham Dad Vlad) U5WF, husband Victor US5WE, and daughter Julia UR5WDX.
Helen stayed for most of a month in the home of FAIRS directors David KK4WW and Gaynell KK4WWW Larsen.  Helen and Gaynell did a marvelous amount of shopping and sight-seeing during her stay.  They made visits to friends and family, attended this year’s Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio, and represented FAIRS at amateur radio club meetings in the area.
Helen also made appearances at FAIRS E.C.C., Floyd United Methodist Church, the local quilting guild and at several home and eateries to test different “American” foods;  perhaps “milkshake” was a favorite…  A special thanks to Jack and Debbie Kavitz for their hospitality to Helen and for escorting her to a gem and jewelry show held in Salem upon invitation from Van Wimmer KA4BIX.
As KT4RP,  Helen made plenty of radio contacts (including some CW) and kept contact with her family back home via Echo Link.  We look forward to talking with her over the air waves after her return to Ukraine!