In the Hangar: Meet Our New Board Members! August 5, 2022 Angel Flight West is proud to welcome two new board members to our team this year: Georgia Griffiths and Bill Banta. Both Georgia and Bill join the AFW Board with a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion. Georgia and Bill have both been volunteer pilots with Angel Flight West for over ten years, and we are thrilled to have them serve in this new capacity as we continue to deliver health, hope, and happiness througho… Jessica Hayes Read More »
More Than a Hobby: Flying Kids to Summer Camps July 19, 2022 In addition to flights for medical treatment, Angel Flight West provides flights for hundreds of children to attend summer camps each year. Our young passengers — some of them burn survivors, others blind or visually impaired, or navigating life-threatening illness — make a difference to each of our volunteer pilots. For pilot Vic Jaro, aviation isn’t just a pleasant hobby — it’s deeply conne… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Fighting Cancer from the Air: Volunteer Pilots Make a Difference July 12, 2022 Volunteer Pilots with Angel Flight West make a difference each day. Because of their generosity of time and resources, more patients with critical illnesses, like cancer, are able to access medical treatment. As a retired United Airlines captain, and as the personal owner of two Cirrus aircraft, Tom is quick to recognize he’s lived something of a charmed life. “I’ve been gifted with many advantages,” he said. “[… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Medical Transportation for Kaylie: Soaring Since Age 2 June 29, 2022 Four years ago, Kaylie was born with Type 1 Citrullinemia, a rare genetic malformation that causes ammonia and toxic substances to build up in her bloodstream. If left unchecked, Kaylie’s condition could leave her comatose and permanently brain damaged. Before her second birthday, Kaylie had already received a liver transplant — just one of numerous healthcare procedures needed to manage her condition and requ… Jessica Hayes Read More »
Angel Flight West’s Passenger Assistance Fund February 23, 2022 The Mission Ops Team at Angel Flight West strives to make sure that each and every passenger and family we work with is well served and reaches their desired destination. The first and foremost way that happens is you – the volunteer! Whether you fly your plane or drive your car, you make it happen for them, with your heart and your generosity. But sometimes circumstances are such that a mission can’t be completed by o… Cheri Cimmarrusti Read More »
AFW Annual Retreat 2022 February 10, 2022 Thank you to all who joined us at our Virtual 2022 Retreat! We celebrated AFW, shared our successes, championed our amazing volunteers, and strategically planned to help more families in need of our services! Unfortunately, we weren’t able to gather in person in the way we’d prefer, so we connected virtually for the weekend. We thank our AFW community for your time, effort, and for making 2021 an… Kaitlyn McQuown Read More »
Angel Flight West honored at Public Benefit Flying Awards December 8, 2021 DECEMBER 6, 2021 Angel Flight West was honored to be recognized alongside incredible individuals and organizations engaged in flying to help others at the National Aeronautic Association and Air Care Alliance’s 2021 Public Benefit Flying Awards in Virginia. Among the honorees were: Distinguished Volunteer Pilot AFW Montana Wing Leader, Michael Burks Champion of Public Benefit Flying JSX, AFW partner who has… Kaitlyn McQuown Read More »
Alexandro Ramirez, AFW Earth Angel Coordinator July 9, 2021 “We had no idea how we were going to make it San Francisco.” “This was going to be a 12-hour drive each way for our family.” “I’m going to have to sell my house.” “I can’t keep asking my friends and family for more money to cover my trips.” Every day we receive phone calls from people who feel that they’ve run out of options. There’s always a unique tension on the other end of the line, and in the caller’s tone of voice, you can hea… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Wingspan July 9, 2021 Ivan Martinez, Director of Outreach & Wing Operations As many of you may know, a Wing Leader is a volunteer role taken up by a dedicated and passionate individual who steps in to lead their respective Wing and team of volunteers. For the Northern California Wing, Bob Strawn has been that amazing individual. Bob has orchestrated several patient, provider, and pilot outreach activities throughout the state that… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Spotlight on an Angel July 9, 2021 Ramiro O. Passenger Ramiro with AFW Pilot Ajay Kishinchandani Sandra and Ramiro’s first flight anywhere was on a commercial airline to Florida for a vacation. Sandra has claustrophobia. Her only thought as they waited on the tarmac in a plane that was delayed for a reason she can’t remember was that she “was going to die.” She didn’t really ever want to fly again. Fast forward to her first flight with AFW to Seattle for… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Inside the Hangar July 9, 2021 Kaitlyn McQuown, AFW Communications Manager A new Communications Manager at Angel Flight West has just landed! Meet Kaitlyn McQuown, who joined the AFW team on June 24. She first became aware of Angel Flight through her work as Communications Coordinator at The Painted Turtle, a medical specialty camp, some of whose campers arrive via AFW missions. Struck by the breadth and importance of Angel Flight’s wor… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Angel Flight West Welcomes New Board Members March 31, 2021 Laura Long – Waimea, HI and Bigfork, MT Laura is a retired Chief Financial Officer in the electronics equipment field. She’s served with a number of charitable, non-profit, and local government boards, including Habitat for Humanity, American Association of University Women, and the Flathead Community Foundation, and as a trustee of her county library system. Laura previously served on the Angel… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Wingspan March 31, 2021 Hope for Survivors of Domestic Violence By Ivan Martinez, Director of Outreach & Wing Operations Leaving is sometimes the only solution. But what if your safe place is miles and miles away? Domestic violence relocation flights have long been a part of Angel Flight West’s mission. Helping those in a time of greatest need is what we’re all about and that could be escaping a difficult and often violent domestic situ… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
In the Hangar March 31, 2021 Kathleen Masser, AFW Grant Manager aka Storyteller For this newsletter’s “In the Hangar” article, we’d like to highlight Angel Flight West’s first grant writer, Kathleen Masser. Kathleen tends to avoid any public recognition if she can, so we are very pleased that she finally agreed to share her AFW story with us. Grant writing is part of the foundation that lets Angel Flight West continue to do what it does. It plays… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
We Are Mission Ops March 31, 2021 by Alexandro Ramirez, Mission Operations Coordinator We are the AFW Mission Ops Team, and you’ve probably spoken to us on the phone; however, a phone call or even a series of phone calls can only tell you so much. I’m here to unpack the unique personalities that make up the team. If you find yourself in Anne’s cubicle at the AFW office, you inhale a breath of fresh air. Why? Because she likes to surround herself with life. S… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
