The last several years have been an exciting time for amateur radio emergency services here in Clay County. Supporting local charities and organizations along with deployments for hurricanes Matthew and Hermine were all highlights. And let’s not forget the success of our youth initiatives, a school club placing in the top five of the last four ARRL School Club Roundups, helping more than 100 Boy Scouts earn their Radio merit badge and visiting local high schools. Yes, it’s been an eventful few years. And the future for ClayARES is just as bright and exciting.
Just a few short years ago ClayARES counted less than fifty members and monthly meeting attendance in single digits; training nets would experience a dozen or so check-ins. Now, membership boasts more than ninety with meeting and net attendance of more than twenty-five.
With this encouraging growth and the impending hurricane season also comes challenges and opportunities. Those challenges and opportunities will best be met with some capital improvements. These improvements include continuing the build out of the recently donated trailer, erecting towers in strategic locations, and improving radio equipment for shelters and the emergency operations center.
We know that many of our members and friends wish to be a part of all the future holds for ClayARES, so we are conducting a capital campaign to meet the needs of the future. You can play a tangible role by generously donating to ClayARES through this campaign through the following link:
Your donation can be made via checking account or Visa/Debit Card and, as always, is tax-free. (ClayARES is a registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3)). Of course, you can make any donation anonymously, if you choose.
Thank you for your support of ClayARES’ mission to support our community in times of crisis and for partnering with us for the future.
Click here to see the projects we are currently working on for our Capital Campaign.
