WSAZ Children's Charities
WHAT WE DO
WSAZ Children's Charity is incorporated under the laws of the State of West Virginia. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service. No compensation or expenses are paid to its board or staff with the exception of its outside accountant. As a result, monies given or earned by the charity are used to support and enrich the lives of children at risk in the WSAZ viewing area.
WSAZ Children’s Charities was created in 1997. The charity partners with social and charitable organizations throughout 33 counties in Southern West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, and Southeastern Ohio.
We have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to hundreds of non-profit organizations ranging from academics and the arts to shelters for troubled teens, supplemental food, and medical aid. 2022 grant recipients.
WSAZ Children's Charities believes providing monetary assistance where it is needed most makes a positive and meaningful impact on local organizations that work with children in our communities.
You can help us! Whether you or your employer would like to give to WSAZ Children’s Charities please know that your gift will benefit our most valuable resource, our children. Your gift will help ensure the continued support of children so much in need and secure a brighter future for us all.
You can securely donate right here right now with your credit or debit card by clicking HERE. You can also donate with a check. All the information is found by clicking on DONATE.
Scroll down to meet our Board of Director
WSAZ Children's Charities service area.
WSAz Children's charities board of directors
Don Ray
Joel Swisher
Joel Swisher
Don Ray, Chairman of the Board, is the retired General Manager of WSAZ Television and was instrumental, with some others, in starting WSAZ Children’s Charities. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board. Along with Melanie Shafer they represent the Central Region of our service area: Cabell, Wayne, and Lincoln Counties in WV, Law
Don Ray, Chairman of the Board, is the retired General Manager of WSAZ Television and was instrumental, with some others, in starting WSAZ Children’s Charities. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board. Along with Melanie Shafer they represent the Central Region of our service area: Cabell, Wayne, and Lincoln Counties in WV, Lawrence County, Ohio, and Boyd County, Kentucky. Don lives in Huntington.
Joel Swisher
Joel Swisher
Joel Swisher
Joel Swisher, President, is the Vice President/General Manager at WSAZ and has been with the company since January of 2016. Previously he spent 14 years in radio before making the change to Television. Joel is a native of West Virginia and has lived in this market since 2008. Joel is a proud alumnus of West Virginia University as well as Fairmont State University.
Jack Deakin
David barnette
David barnette
Jack Deakin, Vice-President, is the retired Digital Sales Manager for WSAZ Television. He and David Barnette represent Kanawha, and Putnam Counties in our service area. He has volunteered in the non-profits in the community for over 30 years, serving on the United Way of the River Cities Board of Directors, Chairman of the annual workpl
Jack Deakin, Vice-President, is the retired Digital Sales Manager for WSAZ Television. He and David Barnette represent Kanawha, and Putnam Counties in our service area. He has volunteered in the non-profits in the community for over 30 years, serving on the United Way of the River Cities Board of Directors, Chairman of the annual workplace campaign and the American Heart Association in the Kanawha Valley. Jack lives in Huntington.
David barnette
David barnette
David barnette
David Barnette, Secretary, is an attorney with Jackson Kelly in Charleston as part of the Firm’s Business Law practice group, He and Jack Deakin represent Kanawha, and Putnam Counties in our service region. Since 1991, he has been the General Counsel to the West Virginia Broadcaster’s Association. David is an active member of his communit
David Barnette, Secretary, is an attorney with Jackson Kelly in Charleston as part of the Firm’s Business Law practice group, He and Jack Deakin represent Kanawha, and Putnam Counties in our service region. Since 1991, he has been the General Counsel to the West Virginia Broadcaster’s Association. David is an active member of his community. He is vice-chairman of the Board of Governors at Concord University, a former member of the University of Dayton School of Law Board of Advisors, director and former chairperson of the Concord University Foundation, director of the West Virginia Broadcasters Educational Foundation.
kim bauer
Estill Carter
Robin Harris
Kim Bauer, Treasurer, has served on the WSAZ Children's Charity Board for 11 years, the last two terms as Treasurer.
Kim represents the Northwest Region; Scioto, OH, Greenup, and Carter, KY Counties in our service area. For the last 15 years she has served as Executive Director of the Portsmouth-Scioto County Visitors Bureau. Additional
Kim Bauer, Treasurer, has served on the WSAZ Children's Charity Board for 11 years, the last two terms as Treasurer.
Kim represents the Northwest Region; Scioto, OH, Greenup, and Carter, KY Counties in our service area. For the last 15 years she has served as Executive Director of the Portsmouth-Scioto County Visitors Bureau. Additionally, she has served on the Executive Board of the Ohio Travel Association for 10 years.
She is the former Portsmouth Coordinator of the Tour Of the Scioto River Valley and was on the Portsmouth River Days committee for 14 years.
She is very active in promoting activities in Scioto County and non-profits that support children in our area.
Robin Harris
Estill Carter
Robin Harris
Robin Harris, Trustee, is Executive Director of the Gallia-Jackson-Meigs Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services. She is responsible for planning, funding, and monitoring behavioral health services and providers over a 3-county area. Robin represents the North Central Region; Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton, OH and Ma
Robin Harris, Trustee, is Executive Director of the Gallia-Jackson-Meigs Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services. She is responsible for planning, funding, and monitoring behavioral health services and providers over a 3-county area. Robin represents the North Central Region; Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, Vinton, OH and Mason, WV Counties in our service area. She has been twice elected to the Executive Council of the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities also serving as Chairperson of the Kids Committee. Ms. Harris has and is currently serving on advisory boards for initiatives in the Governor’s Office and a variety of state agencies.
A lifelong resident of Meigs County, Ms. Harris is active in family life, church, farming and community development. Her passion for helping people is a driving force in all areas.
Estill Carter
Estill Carter
Estill Carter
Estill Carter, Trustee, represents the East Kentucky Region; Floyd, Pike, Johnson, Martin, Lawrence, and Elliott Counties in our service area. Estill is a retired auto dealer from Prestonsburg and has served on numerous civic organizations as well as being active in his church for many years. He currently serves on the board of directo
Estill Carter, Trustee, represents the East Kentucky Region; Floyd, Pike, Johnson, Martin, Lawrence, and Elliott Counties in our service area. Estill is a retired auto dealer from Prestonsburg and has served on numerous civic organizations as well as being active in his church for many years. He currently serves on the board of directors at God’s Appalachian Partnership in McDowell, Ky.
His retirement years are filled with church, family and service organizations such as WSAZ Children’s Charities. He and his wife love spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ellen Browning
Debrina Williams
Debrina Williams
Ellen Browning, Trustee, Ellen shares responsibility with Debrina Williams for our Southern Region; Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Boone, Counties in our service area.
She has worked for Children's Home Society of WV for 13 years. She serves on the boards of the Kiwanis Club of Logan and is co- chair of the Pieces Coalition (substance abuse
Ellen Browning, Trustee, Ellen shares responsibility with Debrina Williams for our Southern Region; Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Boone, Counties in our service area.
She has worked for Children's Home Society of WV for 13 years. She serves on the boards of the Kiwanis Club of Logan and is co- chair of the Pieces Coalition (substance abuse prevention), She is the President of the Logan Family Resource Network, the Chair of the Family Southern Collaboration, and the co-chair of the Regional Summit. She resides in Man WV with her husband.
Debrina Williams
Debrina Williams
Debrina Williams
Debrina Williams, Trustee, serves as the Executive Director of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce & the Hatfield - McCoy Convention &Visitors Bureau in Logan, WV. She and Ellen Browning represent the Southern Region, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Boone Counties in our service area. She is active in the community, serving on various boards in
Debrina Williams, Trustee, serves as the Executive Director of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce & the Hatfield - McCoy Convention &Visitors Bureau in Logan, WV. She and Ellen Browning represent the Southern Region, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Boone Counties in our service area. She is active in the community, serving on various boards including: the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Executives, WV Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, the WV Hospitality & Travel Association, National Coal Heritage Area Authority, Leadership WV Graduate Class of 2012, Sharp Shooter Award Class of 2016 – WV Executive Magazine, Wonder Woman of WV Award 2020 – WV Living Magazine, Owner of Mountain Brook & Company, LLC, Member of Regional Church of God, Member Kiwanis Club of Logan, Member of the WVU Extension Service committee. A proud native of West Virginia, Debrina lives in Delbarton, WV. with her husband
Melanie Shafer
Debrina Williams
Melanie Shafer
Melanie Shafer, Trustee, is a former TV journalist WSAZ, WTAE, WABI, She lives in Huntington, West Virginia with her family. She is new to the board in 2025. Along with Don Ray they represent the Central Region of our service area: Cabell, Wayne, counties in WV, Lawrence County in Ohio, and Boyd County in Kentucky.