Building Confidence in Children and Youth with Special Needs |
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Greetings!
Challenge Air Fly Day events exemplify the power of dreams, resilience, and the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to spread their wings and reach for the sky.
We welcomed over 67 Co-Pilots and their families to Ft Worth on April 22nd. With the help of 12 volunteer pilots and 65 volunteers, Challenge Air empowered incredible kids and offered them an opportunity to soar beyond their limitations.
The Chattanooga event on April 29th kicked off with an enthusiastic team of pilots and 50 volunteers and ground crew members. 44 Co-Pilots and 8 pilots took to the skies. With each passing minute, the children's faces lit up with sheer delight and wonder, as they discovered the sensation of flight firsthand. Catch a glimpse of their day by watching the recap video below and we hope to see you at a fly day event soon.
With much appreciation,
April Culver
CEO/ Executive Director
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2023 Fly Day Schedule
Below are the upcoming dates for Challenge Air Fly Days!
May 20th- Sonoma County, CA
June 24th – Spokane, WA (NEW DATE)
Sept 9th- Kansas City, MO
Oct 7th- Tulsa, OK (Registration now open)
Hope to see you there!
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It's Going to Be An Unforgettable Fly Day in Sonoma County this Saturday, May 20th! |
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Challenge Air is thrilled to share the exciting news of a brand-new Fly Day city in Sonoma County coming up on Saturday, May 20th. This remarkable addition would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the committee, led by John Ferreira and his family. Their commitment and hard work have made this event possible.
In addition, Challenge Air expresses deep gratitude to the generous sponsors for their support and contributions. A special thanks to the Windsor Lions Club and the Sebastopol Lions Club for providing breakfast and lunch the day of.
Their generosity and belief in the mission of Challenge Air have made it possible to bring joy and empowerment to children with special needs through these Fly Day events.
The anticipation for this Fly Day in Sonoma County is building, and Challenge Air is grateful to all those involved for making it a reality. Together, they are creating a remarkable day filled with unforgettable experiences and cherished memories for the VIP Co-Pilots and their families.
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Gala & Casino Night | Celebrating 30 Years! |
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We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Gala and Casino Night fundraising event. This is a night of fun and entertainment for a good cause. Our event is scheduled for Saturday, September 16th at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
Our annual event allows us to bring together our donors, supporters, and friends. This enchanting evening features gourmet dining, cocktails, casino games, and a testimonial from kids and families we help.
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Thank you in advance for your commitment to support the gift of flight to kids and youth with special needs. We look forward to seeing you at our 2023 Gala & Casino Night! |
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Silent Auction Donations Needed! |
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Challenge Air for Kids and Friends is celebrating 30 years of making a positive impact in our community, and we're seeking your support to help make our gala event a success.
We're looking for donations of unique and valuable items for our silent auction. Whether you have a one-of-a-kind piece of art, a gift certificate to a local business, or a vacation package to offer, your donation will help us raise funds to continue our mission of serving those in need. Your generosity will not only be recognized at our event, but it will also make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.
Contact April Culver for more information aculver@challengeair.org or 214-351-3353.
Thank you for your support!
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Sixteen months ago, CEO/Executive Director April Culver made a heartfelt commitment to raise a puppy for the Lone Star Volunteer Chapter - Canine Companions®. In January of 2022, Harley, a delightful pup, joined April's life at just 7 weeks old. Since then, Harley has become a constant companion, accompanying April to work almost every day. She has eagerly participated in Fly Days across Texas and Oklahoma, and faithfully accompanied April on numerous trips to Houston.
Harley embodies beauty, intelligence, a touch of stubbornness, sweetness, and an exceptional affinity for children. Her remarkable qualities make her a prime candidate for future roles as a nurturing mother, a therapy dog, or even a service dog.
Now, the day has arrived when Harley embarks on her next grand adventure. With a mixture of excitement and a tinge of bittersweet emotion, she has been lovingly handed off to embrace the limitless possibilities that await her.
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"I hope you all never doubt the blessings you are and the impacts you make!"
- Ashlee (Co-Pilot Rylands mom)
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VIP Co-Pilot Ryland and Pilot John |
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"Pilot John, THANK YOU!!!!!
There will never be enough words to express my gratitude for today!
My baby got to experience something so fun and magical today and Pilot John helped ease his fears and taught him how to be the best Co-Pilot ever.
Going in, I REALLY did not think Ryland would climb up onto the wing of the plane by himself, and then climb into the plane, while I got in on the other side, and I definitely didn’t think he would sit up front with the pilot, while I sat in the back but, he proved me wrong! He was a rockstar and was so brave!!!!! And I know for a fact, that was partially due to pilot John's gentle smile, patience, encouragement and kindness. Challenge Air for Kids & Friends and Pilot John, thank you for an incredible day for my special little guy!
Everyone there made today such an amazing experience! I hope you all never doubt the blessings you are and the impacts you make!- Ashlee
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That morning, John Couzelis' family was his loading team, led by his wife Carol. "These kids and their families are so very special, and I truly enjoy providing them with an experience they will never forget."- Pilot John |
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Saluting the Crisp Family: From Young Flyers to Dedicated Volunteers, Inspiring the Challenge Air Team! |
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Big shout out to the Crisp Family! Timmy and Tommy were just 5 years old when they first took flight with Challenge Air, and now they're all grown up and volunteering to make our events extra special for other families.
We are absolutely thrilled to have them as part of our Challenge Air family. Thank you for your incredible support!
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"We love our Challenge Air family! So many great memories made, and more to come!"- Kathy Crisp (shown above with Timmy and Tommy)
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Thank you Southwest Airlines! |
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Southwest and its employees know the positive impact that volunteers have on communities is remarkable.
To pay tribute to their own Employee volunteers and to further their commitment to the communities, Southwest Airlines announced a program called Tickets for Time(T4T) in 2010.
For every 40 hours registered in the Share the Spirit database by Employees who have volunteered for an organization, the benefitting nonprofit organization is eligible to receive one complimentary, roundtrip ticket on Southwest Airlines for fund-raising or transportation needs
The Challenge Air team expresses its heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable contribution of time and donation from Southwest Airlines and its dedicated employees.
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Thank you so much for supporting the Challenge Air mission.
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Let's Be Social
#Givekidswings
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