Elaine Jackson She is no amateur at volunteering. Elaine Jackson of Whitehouse could write the book on how to best spend your time, but she just doesn’t have time right now. Her plate is full and she has two or three more spinning in the background.

One of Jackson’s newest endeavors has yielded something she never expected – an award. She was chosen as Ham of the Year in the Tyler Amateur Radio Club for 2009-2010.

Her interest and active participation in the ham radio world came quite naturally since her husband Bob has been into amateur radio since the 1970s. Jackson was just busy with lots of other things in life that kept her from focusing on this band of brothers and sisters.

First and foremost Jackson is a volunteer, but she has a very professional approach to it. Her volunteer work is not just for fun, she is serious about the time she devotes to whatever she is doing.

Years of volunteering have been devoted to PTA, scouting, the library, hospital patient advocacy, chamber of commerce, Smith County Agri-Life and the list goes on.

She is very committed to the work she has done through Reach for Recovery, helping people cope with breast cancer. From diagnosis through treatment and beyond, no one knows better than someone who has survived the experience. Yes, Jackson is a cancer survivor herself and unfortunately is facing that demon yet again.

“People ask me all the time how I can be so happy,” Jackson said. “I just operate that way. I have a positive way about me.”

Jackson completed the specialized training taught by the American Cancer Society and has worked with many patients who have walked the same road she has. She is there for information, for emotional grounding and encouragement.

After moving to Whitehouse in 2008, Jackson found the Agri-Life program through the Smith County Extension Service. She got involved with the local Extension Education Association, was trained to teach the Eat Better Live Better wellness class and now shares her knowledge with members of the community through the Bethesda Clinic as well asand other organizations.

As she does with everything, when Jackson joined her husband in his interest in ham radio operation, she jumped in feet first. After learning the rules and regs of radio operation and finding her comfort zone, Jackson put her organizational skills to work and helped out the club by taking on the task of publicizing their events and activities. She was also just elected as the club’s secretary/ treasurer.

Along with their Skywarn workshop in January and working as “eyes and ears” with the Tyler PD and Smith County Sheriff’s Department

in and around the mall during the Christmas shopping season, they work with the Jaycees to line up the Christmas parade and work as spotters and helpers during the Beauty and Beast bicycle race.

The list of local projects is long and as with all amateur radio clubs, their assistance during local, state, national and global disasters is immeasurable.

Next up on their calendar events is the annual Field Day. Jackson said this is the largest single emergency preparedness exercise in the country with over 30,000 hams participating each year. It is a nation-wide event.

The Tyler club will gather at the Blackjack camping area in Tyler State Park on June 26-27 with a 24-hour onair event beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Visitors are welcome to come and learn more about amateur radio operations and actually have the opportunity to get on air.