You served in Afghanistan and were severely wounded. Multiple surgeries and treatment sessions are required over several months … even years. This means multiple trips back and forth to the hospital.

Now imagine having to go through all that alone.

Alone not because your family chooses to stay away! But alone because the hospital is over 700 miles from where you and your family live. And you don’t have the money for anyone but you – the veteran – to fly to the hospital. That means weeks at a time away from those who care most about you at a time when you absolutely need to have them by your side.

That’s where nonprofits utilizing “public benefit flying“ enter the picture. What is public benefit flying?

It’s everyday Americans (who are also pilots) volunteering their time, flying expertise, and their aircraft to fly for the public benefit.

An "Eclipse Jet" similar to one donated to the Veterans Airlift Command

Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) is one such example and there are over 70 other charities whose mission depends on pilot volunteers.

What prompted this post was the news that a generous, caring person recently donated an Eclipse Jet to the VAC. This anonymous gift puts a tremendous asset in the hands of a worthy charity.

To quote from the VAC website: “The VAC provides free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes, through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots. Our priority is on the veterans of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).”

As I said earlier, there are over 70 charities that depend on pilots volunteering their time and aircraft. Examples of the services and needs met by public benefit flying include:

• Search and rescue missions
• Environmental observation and monitoring
• Transporting patients to medical facilities that can’t afford alternate transportation
• Delivering organs, blood and tissue
• Disaster and emergency relief (e.g., the weeks immediately following the 9-11 attacks; and flying relief to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake)

Visit the Air Care Alliance (ACA) website for a complete list of all the public benefit flying charities. The Alliance is also a nonprofit serving as an umbrella to direct the public to the nonprofit that can best meet its needs. In other words, you don’t have to search the web and hope to find a solution. The Alliance will connect you with those who can help.

There’s still a lot of good in the world. Pilots and aviation supply huge chunks of good day-in and day-out across America and overseas. Saving lives. Bringing families together. Saving pets. Protecting the environment. Public benefit flying is truly a worthy cause.

Want to read more about aviation serving charities?

When dogs fly

Wings of Hope – Wings of Peace … Nobel Peace Prize nominee

Aviation and charity go wing-in-hand

Today’s post is a “feel good” story.  It’s about a charity, Pilots N Paws, and the 747 pets they helped match with new families after the tornado struck Joplin, Missouri this past spring.

Joplyn in the plane flying to her new home (photo courtesy of AOPA Online)

You’ll find the complete article, “Joplyn flies out of Joplin, lands new home” on AOPA Online.

The Weather Channel’s Mike Bettes was on the scene very shortly after the tornado had struck Joplin, killing 150 people.  More than once he got a bit choked up while covering the story. 

For example: The camera captured the moving moment when a dog sprang liberated from a pile of debris.  “Oh, they just pulled out their dog.  That’s great,” Bettes said while filming live.

A month later Bettes and The Weather Channel returned to Joplin for a follow-up story.  One of their stops included the Humane Society to talk about the animals left homeless after the tornado.

According to the Humane Society, pets are often left on their own after a disaster strikes.  There are many reasons: The owner may have been killed; injured or left homeless.  Many times the owners simply can’t be found despite all the efforts made to reunite pets with their owners.

Mike Bettes ended up adopting one of the dogs – a golden retriever – and named her Joplyn.  In addition, the senior producer of The Weather Channel also adopted a rescued dog.

Both dogs were flown to their new homes by the charity, Pilots N Paws (founded by Deborah Boies).  Volunteers for Pilots N Paws provide air transportation so displaced animals are brought together with new adoptive owners in distant places.

According to Mike Bettes, Joplyn is doing great.  “She has adjusted very well,” Bettes wrote in an email.  “She loves to go hiking and of course to be petted.”

Charity and aviation once again team up to do great work.

Mary Latimer and her daughter Tamara Griffith are both Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs).  

From July 29 through August 7, 2011, Mary, her husband and daughter and other flight instructors will hold the Girls In Flight Training (GIFT) academy.  It will take place at the Wilbarger County Airport in Vernon, Texas.

Why am I sharing this here?

To begin with I think it’s a neat story.  Second, these professionals are sharing their expertise … they’re volunteering their time to help young women realize their dreams.  That’s charitable behavior.  And third, as a pilot I’m partial to these stories.

And who knows?  Many of these women pilots might go on to help the numerous charities (certified 501-c-3 nonprofits) who use aviation to fulfill their mission.

One thing that’s unique about Mary Latimer’s academy is this:

Getting women interested in aviation is not GA’s stumbling block, Latimer said. “Our stumbling block is once we get them started, how do we keep them going?”

Other groups are focusing on bringing women to the airport and introducing them to aviation, but there’s also a need to ensure women pilots progress through their first certificate and on to commercial and instrument ratings. “I need to find out what’s interfering with them finishing. Then we can fix the problem,” she said. “You can’t fix the problem until you identify the problem.”

Here’s something else that’s special: “They won’t charge for ground or flight instruction—only for the use of the airplane and fuel. What’s more, Latimer is working to ensure free or low-cost housing is available. She leases a small house at the airport that can hold six to 10 people. Participants also are welcome to pay for their lodging at a local motel.”  Now that is charitable!

So if you’re a female (youth or adult) and would like some help completing your rating, want a refresher, or anything else … contact Latimer and head on down to Texas.

You can read the full article here on AOPA Online and also get the info on how to contact Latimer for more information.

It might be safe to say that every charity strives to bring more hope to our world.  Today I share a story about a charity that brings hope to people on wings . . . the wings of aircraft.

As a private pilot I’m naturally drawn to any charity that uses aviation to help people.  But the reason I’m highlighting Wings of Hope is because they’ve been nominated for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize!  Now that’s big news.

Wings of Hope is based in St. Louis, Missouri and was founded in 1962.  Their focus is on health care along with a transportation system — typically a small bush airplane.

To quote from their website:

“The tears of a mother in the remote jungle are the same as mother’s tears in the asphalt jungle of an American city.  They need a way to access whateer health care is available…” for their family.

The goal of Wings of Hope is to “… change the course of humanity towards peace and hope.”  Their work is always a joint venture with the poor in the area.  And all designed to advance toward self sufficiency.

Basically they fly medical professionals to remote areas in 45 countries (including rural areas of the U.S.), or transport people to health care facilities to receive life-saving treatment not available where they live.

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

Wings of Hope is one of 150 nominees.  The short list will likely be compiled by the end of March, and the Nobel laureates will be announced in September.

“It’s very much an honor to be nominated,” said Wings of Hope president Douglas Clements, “but of course we want to win it, no doubt about it.” 

They’ve earned many significant awards over the years including (but not limited to) the United Nations Humanitarian of the Year Award, The Lindbergh Medal, plus Wings of Hope was knighted by Pope Benedict in 2008.

The work the charity was asked to do in Vietnam is what caught the attention of the person who made the nomination.  In Vietnam and Cambodia they will join the work to eliminate landmines and unexploded bombs.  In addition their health-related work will be to help correct birth defects that still occur from defoliants used during the Vietnam War.  The chemicals remain in soil and water systems.

Congratulations to all the good people at Wings of Hope.  My best wishes that you become a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.  Your work is clearly worthy of the award.

Today is Veterans Day.  A day to honor and thank all veterans: Those currently serving and those who have served in the past.  As one veteran to another  .   .   .  I salute you.

Copyright PK Scribe, LLC

I also wanted to recognize a handful of the many terrific nonprofit organizations that help veterans in a variety of ways.  For each nonprofit (charity or association), there are four pieces of information:

  - Name of the nonprofit serving veterans
  – URL
  – Twitter handle (if they have one)
  – A short paragraph on how they serve & help vets

Here is a selection from the countless numbers of dedicated people helping the brave men and women in our armed forces, their families, those who were in the military in the past, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for our country . . .

Thank You Soldier 

http://thankyousoldier.com/
@ThankYouSoldier

ThankYouSoldier.com provides support for our deployed Heroes through our Hero Pack care package and Letter Writers projects. Our only goal is to remind those serving our country they are not forgotten.

Veterans Airlift Command

http://www.veteransairlift.org/

Imagine coming home from combat, facing devastating injuries, long-term hospitalization if a facility hundreds of miles away from your family.  Imagine somebody brings you together.  The VAC provides free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families for medical and other compassionate purposes, through a national network of volunteer aircraft owners and pilots.

Operation Gratitude

http://www.opgratitude.com/index.php
@OpGratitude

Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to express their respect and appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. Military in an active, hands-on manner.  We seek to lift morale and put smiles on faces by sending care packages addressed to individual Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed in harm’s way. Our care packages contain food, hygiene products, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support.

Honor Flight

http://www.honorflight.org/

Helping every single veteran in America, willing and able of getting on a plane or a bus, visit THEIR memorial.  Top priority is given to America’s most senior heroes — survivors of World War II and any veteran with a terminal illness who wishes to visit THEIR memorial. The program will naturally transition to Korean War, Vietnam War and all other veterans who served, on a chronological basis.   Honor Flight Network will continue do whatever it takes to fulfill the dreams of our veterans and help our senior heroes travel absolutely free.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

http://www.vvmf.org/
@VVMF

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War. Authorized by Congress, its most recent initiative is building the Education Center at The Wall, an underground facility near the Memorial that will help visitors discover the stories of those named on The Wall and celebrate the values embodied by all service members who served in all of America’s wars.

Paralyzed Veterans of America

http://www.pva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage
@PVA1946

The Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely to serving the needs of SCI/SCD veterans.  Founded in 1946, we have developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving the special needs veterans of the armed forces who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction.  We’re a leading advocate for health care, SCI/D research and education, veterans’ benefits and rights, accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers, sports programs, and disability rights.

American Legion

http://www.legion.org/
@AmericanLegion

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities (e.g., American Legion Baseball), advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.  The Heroes to Hometowns program is the only nationwide reintegration assistance service for wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, millions of dollars in donations have been given to fellow veterans and their families in times of grief, and various scholarship opportunities ensure the future success of our youth.

National Military Family Association

http://www.militaryfamily.org/

Not only do we support military families – we are military families. Spouses, parents, and family members make up our staff and board positions. We speak up on behalf of military families and empower husbands, wives, and children to understand and access their benefits. Based on what we hear from our members, we meet the needs of service members and their families with insightful recommendations, innovative programs, and grassroots efforts to better the quality of life for military families.

Hire Heroes USA

http://www.hireheroesusa.org/
@HireHeroesUSA

We offer transition assistance, job search assistance, and job placement services to those who have honorably served in the US military – and to their spouses – in order to reduce veteran unemployment. Hire Heroes USA prioritizes veterans statistically most likely to be unemployed: veterans of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, and veterans that are wounded or disabled.

Blinded Veterans Association

http://www.bva.org/index.html
@BlindedVeterans

Blinded vets helping blinded vets. The Blinded Veterans Association was established to help veterans and their families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness. The organization welcomes those who can offer their ideas, thoughts, and service in achievement of this worthy objective.  We also preserve and strengthen a spirit of fellowship among blinded veterans so that they may give mutual aid and assistance to one another.

Again, I salute you and may God bless you all!

I have three neat stories to share today … all examples of aviation and charities working together.

First, the nonprofit Able Flight has teamed with Purdue University’s Department of Aviation Technology.  The result is that this summer Heather Schultz and Chris Spaur will learn how to fly.

Why is this special?  Both of these young people have physical disabilities.  Able Flight’s mission is to help people with disabilities enjoy the freedom that comes with flying high above the earth.  And as a pilot, I assure you that flying a plane definitely gives you a strong feeling of freedom.

Schultz and Spaur received scholarships and will earn a sport pilot certificate from flight instructors at Purdue.  They will learn in an adapted Light Sport Aircraft – a Sky Arrow 600 LSA – which has been provided by Sean O’Donnell of Philly Sport Pilot (Sean’s flight school trains Sport Pilots, including people with disabilities). 

Programs like this give people with disabilities another avenue for fulfilling, self-sufficient lives through careers in aviation.

“The Aviation Technology program at Purdue sees the collaboration with Able Flight as a unique opportunity to extend the freedom of flight to individuals who might not be aware they can fly,” said department head Brent Bowen. “Purdue’s aviation program is world-class, and we need the best and brightest individuals. Able Flight will bring to us a new cadre of people who otherwise might not consider careers in aviation.”

Second, the nonprofit Disabled American Veterans is working with Warbirds of America to salute veterans this summer.  It will take place during the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. 

Each summer EAA hosts a major air show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  And part of the 2010 show includes events to honor veterans:

       ◊  special forums and speakers
       ◊ mass gathering of veterans for photos
       ◊ a special air show segment of Vietnam-era aircraft
       ◊ Warbird Aircraft display area

“Salute to Veterans will be one of the primary focuses during AirVenture 2010,” said EAA president Tom Poberezny.  And it all aligns with two significant aviation anniversaries: the DC-3 and B-17 aircraft both celebrate their 75th year in 2010.

By the way, all veterans and active duty military who purchase AirVenture tickets online in advance of the show are eligible for a lower admission rate of $28.  Visit AirVenture2010 for more details on the July 26 – August 1 show.

Third, story comes from Greensboro, North Carolina.  On June 12th a 5K run/walk was held on the new 9,000-foot runway at Piedmont Triad International Airport.

Why do I mention it here? Because the run benefited the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  It was in honor of 14-year old Kay Kirby.  His father helped design the new runway.

Instead of aircraft rolling down the runway, on this day there were baby carriages rolling along the runway while the parents jogged. Over 1,000 people exercised to help others.

I’ve written before about how professional associations and trade organizations could combine efforts with charities.  And the disaster relief work in Haiti is an outstanding case in point.

The ASAE blog, Acronym has an extensive post (including comments) of how associations are helping in Haiti. They go into more detail than what I have here, including additional groups involved and more of what each association is doing.

Here are a few examples courtesy of Acronym on how nonprofit associations have teamed with charities to accomplish marvelous work followed by ideas on how your group can get involved:

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) – created a special section on its website with “links to help make a difference.”  It is news that the Drug Enforcement Administration is establishing a point of contact to help companies that want to ship controlled substances to Haiti.

Lions Clubs International – leaders from the Dominican Republic and neighboring Latin American countries have led convoys of emergency relief supplies into Haiti.

“With tremendous support from the National Association of Broadcasters, National Association of Cable Operators, and other media associations, the much-hyped ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon January 22 generated $57 million for earthquake relief.”

National Nurses United – with a membership of 150,000 registered nurses received a call for hundreds of nurse volunteers, and they’ve responded.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs – as of late January there were at least a “dozen of its 3,100 affiliates sending urban search-and-rescue teams from around the country to Haiti to help move heavy debris, bring search dogs, and share their specialized disaster training and coordination skills onsite.”

Northwest Physicians Network and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) – both sent medical teams.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) – countless daily flights of volunteer private pilots flying supplies and personnel to Haiti.

National Restaurant Association – just one example of a group raising funds to donate to select charities working in Haiti.

U.S. Parachute Association (USPA) – loaned some of its aircraft that are well-suited for hauling cargo.

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) – continues to play a huge role in coordinating the efforts of volunteer pilots and their aircraft.  The NBAA has a long history of responding to disasters with vital help in using business aviation to send supplies and personnel.

Although not related to Haiti, here is an example of how the NBAA is continually involved in relief and charity work:  Last October I wrote about NBAA’s team efforts for the Corporate Angel Network here in my blog.

Rotary Clubs – very active in Haiti with relief work.  But also their clubs in the U.S. and other countries are raising funds, sending supplies, and much more.

American Institute of Architects – has offered their expertise to help when the rebuilding initiatives begin.

There are other professional and trade groups whose members have volunteered to help.  Many have often been placed on stand-by awaiting approval to deploy, or waiting for the best time to be of service to relief agencies.  In January the Acronym also stated that “…Many professional and trade associations have created global disaster relief funds in the past 10 years and are likely to tap them now, saying they want first to see what primary needs emerge.”  And there are numerous groups who have since tapped into those funds.

Does your association have expertise to offer?

If your association also has talent and expertise that can help Haiti recover from the earthquake . . . if you have members ready to step forward to help . . . consider contacting a charity that’s been working in Haiti for several years.  They’ll have the in-country contacts essential for efficiently utilizing the aid relief.

This also helps to lessen a problem many veteran charities – and Haitian authorities – have lamented about:  Too many well-meaning organizations showing up and not knowing where to go; what needs to be done; how to effectively help; inadvertently undermining another NGO’s efforts; and so forth.

You don’t have to wait for a disaster

And remember, there are likely ways you can leverage your resources while giving members a chance to help a cause outside of disaster relief.

First, last fall I wrote an article in my newsletter – the ZAPP Nonprofit Leader - on this subject.  When the web window opens, scroll down a bit to the main article titled, “Cooperative Fundraising – Nonprofits Combine Efforts.”  It starts out with a story of charities teaming up, but at the end I give ideas for associations teaming with charities any time of the year.

Second, did you know that April 18-24, 2010 is National Volunteer Week in the U.S.?  At least three other countries also have a National Volunteer Week including Canada, England, and Australia.  What can your members do during this week to help Haiti or any good cause? Brainstorm ideas.  Call some of the charities working in Haiti and ask what you might do.  Helping doesn’t necessarily require a trip to Haiti either.

It also presents a great opportunity for publicity.  You might even acquire some new members in the process.  So be certain to involve your PR staff too.

Team up with a charity.  You build loyalty with your members, spread the word about your association, and help a good cause in the process.

Here’s a nonprofit – Agape Flights – that uses general aviation as the primary tool of its mission.  They have been flying critical supplies and mail to missionaries in Haiti (and also the Dominican Republic) since 1980. 

Today I’m focusing on Agape Flights for two reasons:

1. I’m an aviation buff (i.e., I’m a private pilot) and I enjoy reading about nonprofits who use aircraft to fulfill their mission.
2. Haiti is “in the news” because of the tragic 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck just outside their capital of Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010.

Let’s explore possible ways Agape Flights could leverage its unique way (i.e., using aircraft) of completing its mission and raise even more funds for their continuing work in Haiti:

• Contact aviation associations – also nonprofit organizations – and ask them to help spread the word.  Two examples are AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), and the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association).  They have members very partial to flying who also have compassionate and giving hearts.  Agape may benefit from more donations and possibly even more pilots and aircraft to use for their relief work.  Plus AOPA and NBAA benefit from keeping their members informed of aviation news, and some goodwill.
• Publish an online press release.  Get more media coverage.  Agape Flights has some unique angles that I believe will appeal to the media.  The fact that they use aircraft leads the list; they support other nonprofits with their work; and they’ve been doing this since 1980.  Lead with a story of one of their flights to Haiti following the earthquake . . . include someone they encountered while in Haiti unloading the supplies and the stories they shared with the Agape Flights pilot, impressions of the situation, and so forth.
• Send out updates via Twitter on their great work. Include a link directly to their online donation page and the #Haiti hash tag.
• There’s a link to a TV clip from a local ABC news affiliate on their website.  However, it blends in making it difficult to find.  It ought to be featured more prominently on the home page.  It gives a lot of credibility to prospective donors, and it reassures current donors that they’re supporting the right charity.
• For an event like this they don’t have time to redesign their website.  But I believe the earthquake story at the top of the home page ought to also mention that helping Haiti is not new for them.  They were able to respond immediately and efficiently to the earthquake disaster because they have been providing relief for over 29 years.  This gives them additional credibility to donors and the media.

None of these publicity and fundraising tactics would require significant amounts of time.  Yet they would likely yield impressive response and conversions for their nonprofit.  And Agape Flights would be in a stronger financial position to continue their work in Haiti long after the current media attention has faded.

There are lots of great examples of how general aviation and business aviation support charities.  In fact, some nonprofits couldn’t survive without aviation.

Here’s one recent example of the giving nature of aviation.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) held their annual convention this month.  One evening featured the Corporate Angel Network Charity Benefit.  $168,000 dollars were raised during the benefit.

The Corporate Angel Network is the only charitable organization in the United States whose sole mission is to “arrange free air transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment using the empty seats” on business and corporate aircraft.

Business aircraft and the companies that own that aircraft are helping to save lives every day.  Now those are friendly skies.

Visit the Corporate Angel Network website to learn more this great example of a nonprofit partnering with business.