News from Challenge Air for Kids & Friends

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KAI'S STORY...

Since the last fly day Kai states every day,
"I love flying," "
Let's go to the airport," and "I want to be a pilot." He wears his Challenge Air t-shirts several times per week. There is nothing in his life that has made a bigger
impact than
Challenge Air
<<read more...

Quotes from Parents:

Challenge Air has implemented a
new online survey
for returning participants. Some of the following quotes were taken from
this survey.

Did the Challenge Air Program have a lasting impact on you?

My child has never look at any of her pictures before. A friend of mine put together an album with pictures that was taken of her only at the event and I set it at the end table in the family room. A few days ago, I found her looking at the album page by page, I did not interrupt and I observe from a distance and for a few moments my child was able to pay attention to something and I wish I could describe the joy I felt, watching my child to have interest in something. Thank you so very much for that wonderful moment. Forever grateful!

It was one of the few times that our son was able to do something that nobody else has ever done. Usually it's the other way around for him. He is still talking about it which is great because communication is something he has to work at.

My daughter was very fearful to go fly in a plane. I took several steps to prepare her.
The experience has helped her to continue to face her fears. We have used the experience as a reminder when facing something that is scary and how one can be robbed of lots of enjoyable things if we allow fear to control us. Nothing like an experience to teach us something that is of great value.

Dear Friends and Supporters of Challenge Air,
     We have ended another wonderful year at Challenge Air. With 15 successful events from the East Coast to the West Coast and over 2,000 special needs children served, more and more children are being inspired through the Challenge Air program. Challenge Air builds confidence and self-esteem; improves the health and well-being of special needs children; empowers children and youth to be excited about learning and inspired about their future; and promotes community engagement. THANK YOU to the many children, families, volunteers, pilots, friends and donors for your belief in the Challenge Air program and for helping to show our participants, "the sky is the limit!"
     As it will be for all non-profits, 2009 may pose a few obstacles for us at Challenge Air. We feel confident that together, when we pull all of our resources, we can overcome any obstacle including some potential financial challenges. We value your input and suggestions.
     In order to better communicate with you, our supporters and friends, we here at Challenge Air will be sending out a monthly E-newsletter called the E-flyer, updating each of you on the exciting news happening at Challenge Air. Additionally, look for Challenge Air's blog in February that will keep each of you abreast of the current happenings. And for all you facebook fans...Challenge Air has a presence on there as well...with 206 members and counting!
     Please note, registration for our 2009 events is now open. We are excited to have added two new event locations to the 2009 schedule: Deer Valley, Arizona hosted by Cutter Aviation and Amarillo, Texas hosted by Coyote Flight Center.
     Please review the schedule as some of the events have changed their regular scheduled times of the year.
     We hope you enjoy the first edition of our E-Newsletter. Thank You and Happy New Year!

Byron Laszlo
Executive Director

Challenge Air Selected As Cutter Aviation's
Charity of Choice

Special Needs Children Nationwide to Benefit

     Phoenix-based Cutter Aviation announced Challenge Air for Kids & Friends as its charity of choice at the 2008 NBAA Conference.
      Part of the criteria in selecting a charity for Cutter Aviation to partner with was for the organization to be aviation related and to serve children."With a seven-year history hosting the McKinney Challenge Air 'Fly Day,' Challenge Air was the perfect fit," said Mike Livezey, General Manager for Cutter in McKinney, Texas. "The Challenge Air 'Fly Day' is truly a hands-on event that all of our employees can get behind and experience first-hand," said Livezey. "From helping on the pre-planning committee to volunteering the day of the event; the program truly makes an impact on all of us here at Cutter as well as the entire community."
      In 2008, Cutter Aviation celebrated 80 years of business in the aviation industry. In honor of their heritage, Cutter commissioned a custom-built motorcycle that was designed to highlight Cutter's history and all of general aviation. The "Avatior," as the motorcycle is known, is valued at about $50,000 and stood proudly at the 2008 NBAA convention in Cutter's booth.
     Will Cutter, President and CEO of the company, offered the idea of donating the motorcycle to a charity. "I immediately thought of Challenge Air," said Livezey.
     In the Spring of 2009 the 'Aviator' will be sold or auctioned off to the highest bidder, with 100% of the funds raised from the sale of the custom-built chopper donated to Challenge Air.
      "We are truly honored to be chosen by Cutter Aviation as their charity of choice," said Byron Laszlo, Executive Director of Challenge Air. "The Cutter Team is fantastic and very dedicated to our mission and the special children we serve. We look forward to a wonderful partnership."
      Cutter Aviation has eight locations across the Southwest United States and plans to host two "Fly Days" in 2009: Deer Valley, Arizona on February 7 and McKinney, Texas on May 2. Additional "Fly Days" at their other FBO locations are in the works for 2010 and the years ahead.
"We are happy to be partners with Challenge Air and help extend the mission out to other locations nationwide so that more special needs children will have the opportunity to experience the Challenge Air program," said Mike Livezey.
      For more information on Challenge Air visit our website at www.challengeair.org. Cutter Aviation: www.cutteraviation.com.

Challenge Air Receives Special Service Award from the City of Ft. Lauderdale

   During a special awards ceremony held on December 3, 2008, called the ACE Awards, Challenge Air was recognized as an organization that has made a significant contribution to the Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport and a tremendous positive contribution to the local South Florida community.
   Theron Wright, Challenge Air East Coast Director, was present to accept the award.
     Banyan Air Service at the Ft Lauderdale Executive Airport has been hosting the annual Challenge Air Event for the past 13 years. In April 2008, Banyan donated office facilities for our East coast expansion. We are honored to be recognized as a charitable organization by The City of Ft. Lauderdale and look forward to collaborating with our Friends in the South Florida community for many more years to come.

Challenge Air Celebrated its 15 Year Anniversary..."Beyond the Clouds"

Challenge Air for Kids and Friends celebrated its 15-year anniversary on Saturday, October 25th at Southwest Airlines headquarters. Over 300 people were in attendance for the special celebration. Highlights of the evening included a silent and live auction and entertainment and an awards presentation. El Dorado Motors (www.eldoradomotors.com) in McKinney, Texas donated a 2007 Mazda 6 to Challenge Air to be included in the live auction. Many thanks and our sincere appreciation to our friends at Southwest Airlines and El Dorado Motors for all your coordination and thoughtfulness for making this gift possible.

Needless to say, the 2008 Gala was a huge success. A heart-felt thank you to our Gala Chairs', Kelli Bartlett and Lacey Waldrep as well as our sponsors. Their leadership along with the dedicated committee of volunteers helped to raise over $50,000 for the Challenge Air program.

The 16th Anniversary Gala is scheduled on Saturday, November 14th at Southwest Airlines. For more information contact the Challenge Air office at (214) 351-3353. Photos from the gala, taken by Arnie Cogan can be viewed at www.swaphoto.com.

Challenge Air for Kids and Friends is a national children's non-profit organization whose mission is to offer motivational,inspirational and life-changing experiences to physically challenged and seriously-ill children and youth through aviation.