In the Hangar November 16, 2019 -Stephan Fopeano, Angel Flight West Webmaster- Ever wonder where the magic comes from that is the Angel Flight Information Data System (AFIDS), now called Volunteer Pilot Organization Information Database System (VPOIDS)? You might also ask who’s behind these apps that have helped institute this technology for AFW? The answer lies with our very own Stephan Fopeano, Angel Flight West’s Webmaster. And “Ma… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
MISSION MOMENT November 16, 2019 by Stephen Bobko-Hillenaar Aedan today Aedan and his mom circa 2009 When one flies a lot of Angel Flight missions and has been a member of Angel Flight West for a number of years, he or she comes across many varied missions. There are the burn victims that might be flown to a burn camp, or to a locale with a Shriner’s hospital. There’s the camper flown to cancer camp only to find the next year he is not joining you… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
SAFETY MESSAGE November 15, 2019 By Jim Dell Can you guess what I am writing about this month? Oh no, not the stall again! Yes, you’re right. I didn’t intend to, but a funny thing happened while planning my usual crash and burn presentation for the SoCal Wing Meeting. The night before the meeting, I woke with a start, realizing that this meeting was advertised as a “family day!” Golly, I can’t show crash and burn videos to a bunch of kid… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Angel Flight West fills an important need for children like Jane November 7, 2019 Little Jane is on the road to health despite multiple health challenges and many specialist visits. Sweet little Jane from Kalispell, Montana was born prematurely with heart disease, Down syndrome, and other complications, and spent 37 days in the NICU as doctors fought to stabilize her condition. At four months old, she narrowly avo… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Jessica battles terminal illness far from home November 7, 2019 Jessica is receiving life-saving bone marrow treatments at a hospital 700 miles from her home. Struggling with mounting medical bills, your gift helps her and her family not have to worry about this one aspect of her health care. “I always thought I could handle any situation,” Jessica told AFW, “being a wife, mother, having a rewarding… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Joseph’s Angel Flights are more than just transportation to his doctors November 7, 2019 Thirteen-year-old Joseph might possibly love aviation more than any other teenager in Auburn, Washington. Joseph was born in China and spent his first 11 years in an orphanage before he was adopted by single mom Joanne and brought to the U.S. That flight changed his life in more ways than one. Joseph had his first flying lesson shortly after because his newfound passion for airplanes was so great. The special thing ab… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
In the Hangar August 29, 2019 Kim Okamura Kim Okamura comes to Angel Flight West as the newest grant writer! Kim started with AFW in April 2019 after she heard about the opportunity through a friend who previously worked with Mary Hunter, AFW’s Director of Development. Kim joined AFW after a career as a professional ballet dancer and then in grant writing and administration with other arts nonprofits. This is her first time away from the arts, but… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Mission Moments August 29, 2019 Command Pilot Pete Bernardin Pete Bernardin is the type of person who naturally brings joy to any room or cockpit. His presence offers a positive relief to those around him; an opportunity for some lightheartedness, which is often not found in many of Angel Flight West’s passengers’ lives. Staff at the AFW office also benefit from Pete’s presence as his office visits always provide a much-needed break from th… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Wingspan August 29, 2019 by Ivan Martinez, Director of Outreach and Wing Operations Since the start of our “Ascent to 8,000” campaign, outreach has been an increasing focus necessary to fuel our journey and one we are very much still learning to navigate better. We continue our efforts exhibiting at conferences, reaching out to new requester and patient leads, and arranging in-service presentations–all in hopes that our name reaches the… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Angel Flight West Makes Summer Camp a Reality for Special Kids July 11, 2019 Thanks to you, Ari and Anahi were able to enjoy a break at summer camp away from the daily challenges of caretaking their grandmother living with HIV. Because of your gift, sisters Aridahi (Ari) and Anahi are able to enjoy summer camp away from the daily responsibilities of helping to care for their grandmother who is living with HIV/AIDS–a challenge for a caregiver of any age. Anahi first flew with AFW to Camp Heartlan… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
You Helped a Wounded Warrior Connect with Others at Special Camp July 11, 2019 Jed M. served in the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan where he triggered an IED, losing both legs above the knee and severely damaging his right hand. He was transferred to Germany, then to a US hospital for about four months following two more years of rehabilitation. A couple of years after his injury, Jed learned that a buddy who was in thesame hospital in San Diego, and had seemed to be doing verywell, had com… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
Angel Flight West salutes the USS Midway Foundation July 4, 2019 In honor of this holiday, our AFW Safety Officer and Command Pilot, Jim Dell, shares a short story on his experience aboard the USS Midway and his current role at AFW. And we salute the USS Midway Foundation for their support of our flights for veterans in need. Fourth of July Mission Remembrancesby Jim Dell This story begins around the 4th of July 1987 when I had my first flight from the aircraft carrier USS Midway. Midwa… Henny Alamillo Read More »
A Mission Moment May 2, 2019 Two Friends and a Dog Earth Angel Carin Powers, passenger Roulini P. and Mr. Monty-Woofers. Monty is a two ½ year old shepard-lab mix. He’s wearing a ‘thunder coat vest’ because he used to be quite anxious and these vests are helpful for this…he no longer needs it. They say dog is ‘human’s’ best friend, and that is very true for one such dog connected to two friends unlikely to have met if it weren’t for Angel Flight West… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
IN THE HANGAR May 2, 2019 AFW Welcomes Two New Staff Members Mission Coordinator Alexandro Ramirez Alexandro (pronounced Alehandro) Ramirez is AFW’s newest Mission Coordinator. Finding the organization on Dan’s List, a daily list of nonprofits that are currently hiring, he says, “I never heard of Angel Flight West before and didn’t have any previous interest in aviation,” but he was “immediately fascinated” by the missi… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
From the Wings May 2, 2019 Angel Flight West WelcomesNew Wing Leaders Incoming Washington Wing Leader Jeremy Katz Jeremy Katz has been flying as a command pilot with Angel Flight West since the day he reached the flying hours requirement in June 2012. During the day, Jeremy works in the Product Development Low Speed Aerodynamics group at Boeing, supporting takeoff and landing part design (trailing edge flaps and leading edge devices), and… Wendy Weisenberg Read More »
