Young
Eagle Fundraiser
Fundraising at AirVenture for Young Eagles Program
Reaffirms Program's Appeal, Reinforces EAA's Vision
August 9 - As EAA's
AirVenture convention, fly-in, and air show moves into an event-filled
final two days, association officials uphold the attention and
generosity directed toward EAA's Young Eagles Program during the event
as substantiation of their organization's purpose.
"The response to our fundraising efforts shows how meaningful this
program is," said Elissa Lines, EAA's vice president of development.
"Promoting access to aviation and preparing for aviation's future are
two major planks of EAA's mission statement. This program introduces as
many as 100,000 kids to aviation each year by giving them their first
flight in a general-aviation airplane, at no charge, and an opportunity
to interface with pilots. These activities directly target those planks
of the EAA mission."
Lines added that funds raised for the Young Eagles program will
help to pay for new initiatives for young people who want to take steps
in aviation beyond that introductory flight.
However, Lines further asserted that the program's effect on its
participants transcends EAA's focus on aviation. "Although this program
certainly helps to cultivate the next generation of aviation
enthusiasts, it has a broader implication of getting kids excited and
motivated about their own future, wherever their interests ultimately
may take them," she said. "I think that's a major reason why the program
garners strong support." According to Lines, the program's slogan -- "If
you can dream it, you can do it" -- captures the program's inspirational
quality.
Event attendees donated more than $400,000 to support Young Eagles and
related EAA education initiatives. The primary fundraising vehicle was a
Tuesday-night formal dinner and auction celebrating the program's
19-year history. Among the 725 individuals in attendance were the Young
Eagles Program's chairman, film actor Harrison Ford, and Ford's
predecessors, famed pilot Chuck Yeager (now serving as chairman
emeritus) and film actor Cliff Robertson (founding chairman).
The auction's top-selling item, sold twice at a price tag of $29,000,
was a day on the set with Ford. Another exercise, called "Raise the
Paddle," provided attendees an opportunity to donate without buying or
bidding on an item. This philanthropic effort raised $57,000, including
a $25,000 gift from Pilatus Business Aircraft, which the firm challenged
other principals in the industry to match.
Twenty-seven major sponsors -- individuals and organizations
contributing $2,500 or more -- helped to advance EAA's fundraising goals
for the Young Eagles Program (see list below). Lines hastened to note,
however, that many of AirVenture's exhibitors, sponsors, and performers
also contributed by participating in the auction or by donating products
and services to be sold.
"The entire EAA AirVenture community rallies behind this cause," Lines
said. "When you've been here and seen what EAA, AirVenture, and Young
Eagles are all about, you just want to keep it going," she said.
Lines urged all aviation enthusiasts to consider a donation to Young
Eagles. "This was a great week, but we have ambitious plans for
promoting children's interest in aviation even further. Every
contribution is welcomed, appreciated, and put to good use."
Steve Buss, Young Eagles executive director, agreed, expressing hopes of
building on the recent fundraising effort. "As we pursue plans to
significantly expand the program in the months and years ahead,
continued fundraising success will be essential," he said.
Expansion initiatives include an enhanced website --
www.youngeagles.org <http://www.youngeagles.org/>
-- to give young people a vast resource for exploring the world of
aviation. "Our plans for new features and content focus on capturing the
community spirit of AirVenture in an on-line environment," Buss said.
Another new initiative under construction, the Wings Program, focuses on
giving Young Eagles ideas and guidance in further pursuing low- or
no-cost ways to participate in aviation. "It will be activity-oriented,
pairing Young Eagles with parents, teachers, and EAA members," Buss
said. "Some of the activities will be as simple as performing some
'kitchen sink' experiments that teach principles of physics relating to
powered flight."
Buss believes that the many Young Eagles volunteers across the globe
will value the new initiatives paid for through fundraising. "Our
members have paid out of their pockets for the fuel, maintenance, and
other costs to make the kids' first-flight experiences happen. Now, we
can show them that we're raising money to take steps beyond the
introductory flight and to make the program even better," he said.
The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), The Leader in
Recreational Aviation, is an international association with 170,000
members and 1,000 local chapters. To join EAA or for more information on
EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or go to
www.eaa.org |
