This piece originally ran in the February 2024 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

Craig and Bonnie Fitzsimmons, EAA 266725 and 814505, have been together for more than 50 years, having met when they were just 19 years old in Elgin, Illinois. Bonnie opened a Zayre Department Store, Craig worked in the electronics department, and the rest is history after just one date. Their EAA story also started more than 50 years ago when founder Paul Poberezny needed two-way radio communication for the convention. It started with just 50 radios across the convention grounds, but as the convention grew, so did the communication needs. Today, there are almost 700 radios that Craig’s crew takes care of.

Craig is the volunteer chairman of the Communications Center, and he and his crew set up the PA system speakers, ensure the radios are working, monitor the equipment for the air show, and even put out all the picnic tables across the grounds. Bonnie has taken her decades of retail experience to the Wearhouse to coordinate the volunteers so manager Amy can coordinate employees — that is, when Bonnie isn’t among the mountains of merchandise to tag for the convention.

Bonnie, who is lovingly nicknamed “Slacker,” was awarded the Dorothy Hilbert Award at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, which is awarded to one woman each year who volunteers and shows the same passion, dedication, and devotion as Dorothy Hilbert did for EAA. Bonnie especially loves engaging with the young adults she works with.

“They look to me as a role model, which I love, and I love working with all of them,” she explained. “These kids all are just beginning their careers, so that makes me ask a whole lot of questions about what they want to do with their life.” Bonnie often introduces these young volunteers to other EAAers who can help them pursue their goals. Bonnie and Craig were even invited to the graduations of two they became close with, a testament to the value of her encouragement.

Craig and Bonnie make their way from Florida to Oshkosh every May, and through September they camp in style in Audrey’s Park within Camp Scholler. All season long, these two dedicated volunteers spend their time helping prepare for the convention. In the evenings, you’ll find them hosting volunteer get-togethers on “The Deck,” which is their way to take care of their team.

“We have a lot of evenings where people come and join each other,” explained Bonnie. “My husband and I both help each other and help these people if they need anything. That’s part of our responsibility, is the way we look at it. We have 70 people on our team…. I think the people are what nurture me the most. If they ever need anything, we’re family, so we help each other.”

Volunteers make EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — and just about everything else EAA does — possible. This space in EAA Sport Aviation is dedicated to thanking and shining the spotlight on volunteers from the community. Sadly, it cannot capture all of the thousands of volunteers who give so much to the community every year. So, next time you see a volunteer at AirVenture or elsewhere, however they are pitching in to make EAA better, be sure to thank them for it. It’s the least we can do. Do you know a volunteer you’d like to nominate for Volunteer Spotlight? Visit EAA.org/Submissions.