This year, through AFW’s Flights of Joy program, 50 volunteers have signed up to help families across our region by purchasing holiday gifts and gift cards and delivering them to our passengers’ families on the airfield. Knowing that many families facing medical challenges are also experiencing financial barriers, the Flights of Joy program has become a meaningful part of the season for AFW’s staff and volunteers since its onset in 2020.
Command Pilot Brent Pahls shared, “We had a great delivery flight and it was nice to meet our passenger and deliver our gifts. Thank you for organizing this and to all the pilots/family’s that bought thoughtful gifts. We filled the back of her van!“
Command Pilot Tony Schwarz shared, “What a joyous and positive time for all of us. Lots of smiles everywhere. Dirk thoughtfully brought some PEZ dispensers and a stocking with candy for today. Gifts will be opened at Christmas. For the biggest gift, Barbie Dream House, my wife crafted a cloth bag with a printed Christmas theme. This day will be the highlight of Christmas for Pam and me. Looking forward to next year!”
Thank you to all of our volunteer pilots for making this special program possible. We also thank all the family members who assisted with these missions and those who supported by donating gift cards. Thank you for making this holiday season special!
Volunteer Pilots | Gift Card Supporters
Keith Arrol
Tamas Forgacs
Gerald Kraemer
Thomas Balch
Larry McAbee
Jim Turner
Brian Blatnik
Paul Rekieta
Joe Megeed
Jerry Birn
Tom Ricks
David Dhunjishaw
Jeff Moorhouse
Eric Haskel
Jamie Davenport
Eileen Bardolph
Tony Schwarz
Dirk Sanders
Rob Corrao
Leanne Tawoda
Dennis Phelan
Bruce Walls
Stephen Snyder
Robert Clarfield
Adam Robb
Bryce Bohlander
Bob Meyers
Tim Delaney
Emmett Ricks
Leland Haley
Wurzel Parsons-Keir
Lara Goers – Earth Angel
Joe Dowdy
Bernie Roland
Patrick Brown
Heather Bulk
Edward Kern
Art Schmidt
Ben Konkel
Scott Keller
Rob Brunner
Jackie Ryan
Andrew Beldin
Brent Pahls
Ross Comer
Richard Edgerton
Goutham Sukumar
Stephen Lambert
James Geer
Rafael Campo Curiel
Robert Herzfeld
Gabrielle Adelman
Dennis Lamason
Lois Orfuss
Carolyn Jackson
Jess Hayes
Jim Snarski
Kim Okamura
Ann Greenspun
Wendi Gladstone
Joy Bradley
Marco Bussadori
Randolph Holder
