Upcoming Events:
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McKinney, Texas June 6, 2009 Nashville, Tennesee June 13, 2009 Monday, June 22, 2009 Barson Golf ClassicRegister Now!Sponsorships still available... Everett, Washington July 18, 2009 Aurora, Oregon August 8, 2009 Amarillo, Texas August 29, 2009 Kansas City, Missouri September 12, 2009 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma September 26,2009 Dallas, Texas October 10, 2009 Challenge Air Gala November 14, 2009 |
Sponsor Highlight:
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Each month Challenge Air would like to recognize a corporate sponsor that goes above and beyond.
City Color is a fully equipped, high volume printing
resource for some of the largest names in American marketing and retail. Using
years of experience in printing, finishing and shipping, City Color has
developed specialized capabilities and services to meet the needs of their
clients.
Owner of City Color, Kiran Genti has been involved in the
Challenge Air program since 2000 and has helped Challenge Air by donating his printing/prepress/shipping services to Challenge Air that includes: printing all of our event banners, newsletters, gala invitations, direct mail letters, raffle
tickets, posters, trade show booth, etc. Challenge Air is also honored to have
Kiran on our advisory board.
Please visit www.citycolor.com
for all your printing needs: creative, prepress, small/large/grand printing,
finishing, fulfillment, shipping, modular/exhibit, concept engineering, "green"
solutions.
1825 W Mockingbird Ln.
Dallas, Texas 75235
(214) 951-9696
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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 children
and youth with special needs through aviation.Parents have told us time and again that we are building self-esteem and confidence in their children.Ad Space:If you are interested in advertising through Challenge Air's e-newsletter that is sent to over 5,000 friends, contact
Byron Laszlo for rates. Donations can be
mailed to:Challenge Air8008 Cedar Springs Rd., LB-24Dallas, TX 75235
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Dear Friends of Challenge Air:
Many of you recently participated in a matching gift opportunity called
DonorBridge on May 20th coordinated by The Communities Foundation of
Texas, "CFT," along with The Dallas Foundation. This giving day was designed to
help Dallas
nonprofits raise much needed funds through a match. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for those of you who were able to
participate. We will
not be presented with the names of donors or the total amount raised until
after June 15th. However, CFT has assured all participating charities that DonorBridge was a huge success. Thank you!
Back in October 2008, our friends at Cutter Aviation presented
Challenge Air with a wonderful gift: a custom built, one-of-a kind chopper
motorcycle called "The Aviator." This unique bike was built in honor of Cutters' 80th
anniversary. Last fall, Cutter presented The Aviator to Challenge Air in order
to raise funds for Challenge Air programs. This month we are kicking off "The Aviator" raffle. Learn more about the chopper and how you can enter to win in this issue of the e-newsletter.
Upcoming Challenge Air events include McKinney,
Nashville; Seattle;
Portland; Amarillo;
Kansas City, MO;
Oklahoma City; and Dallas. As you know, the Challenge Air program is offered at
no cost to all participating
children and families. However, we work hard to raise program funds
to off-set the direct costs involved with each event. Challenge Air needs your help now, more than ever. If you or your company
would like to learn about program/event sponsorship opportunities click here or, please
contact me directly at 214/351-3988 or email byron@challengeair.org.
As an example....One of our
dedicated parents in Oklahoma City
recently reached out to us and inquired about sponsorship opportunities. The
company he works for, UPS in Oklahoma
City, has agreed to help support Challenge Air OKC
event for $1,500!! Many thanks to Scott Jones & Family.
Thank you to recently committed donors to our programs nationwide:
Sempra Energy, Fred Meyer, Wright Plumbing, Mr. and Mrs. Carl White, Air BP Aviation, Addison Airport and Salem Air Center.
In this issue, you will read more about upcoming activities and
learn about, Jared, one of our Challenge Air participants, and his recent
triumphs as a result of his time with Challenge Air.
You are a part of one of America's most unique, motivational
programs for children & youth with special needs. The Challenge Air program
helps to break down barriers and builds self-esteem unlike any other program. Thank you for your continued belief and dedication to
Challenge Air. One parent said it best, "Jonathan
was very proud as he walked the red carpet. Since then, he hasn't stopped
talking about "the plane" that went "vroom" as he motions
with his hands making a swooping motion up into the sky. I never would
have imagined how beneficial this event would be before hand. But now I
can say it was a great benefit to Jonathan's self-esteem."
Warmest Regards,
Byron Laszlo
Executive Director
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Win this One-of-a-Kind Custom-Built Chopper...Get Your Raffle Tickets Now!
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YOU
COULD WIN this one-of-a-kind custom-built chopper appropriately named The
Aviator: motorcycle meets airplane. Last  fall, Cutter Aviation awarded this
beautiful motorcycle to Challenge Air as an opportunity to raise much
needed funds. To celebrate Cutter's 80th anniversary, they had
this unique motorcycle built.
This month, we officially launched
The Aviator raffle. Only 2000 tickets maximum will be sold. Each ticket is only
$50. To purchase your tickets today, please call Challenge Air at 214/351-3353
or 877/FLY-KIDS. (On-line purchase available soon.)
Click here to see some of the specs and to learn
more about The Aviator. Don't miss your chance to win!
Many thanks to Ken Langley, Raul Ruiz and Richard Morgan and
Lonna Gibson for your great teamwork on this raffle. |
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Jared's Story.....
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Dear Cindy,
About two and half years ago, we heard about the Challenge
Air Program through an autism support group. We have two boys with high
functioning autism.
When Jared was 3 ½ we were concerned with behaviors he exhibited
like flapping his hands, pointing with a tilted head, walking on tiptoe, and
melting down ANYTIME there was loud noise, uncomfortable clothes on his body,
changes in routine, haircuts, etc. He
also didn't speak on age level.
The next four years were intense as we started Preschool
Program for Children with Disabilities in our local school district, speech
therapy, occupational therapy and dietary interventions. Six months into his diagnosis, brother was also
diagnosed, but instead of being "hypersensitive" to his surroundings, he was
"hyposensitive" so you can imagine the interaction between the boys when one
wants to jump and be squeezed and the other doesn't want to be touched at all!
School continued well until 3rd grade. Thinking things were on an even keel, I took
a teaching job out-of-district. Then,
Jared shut down and problems occurred in the classroom. The school psychologist was brought in to
intervene and they investigated Special Programs for him. I quit after that year and we attempted
fourth grade. Unfortunately, he was
assigned to a young, inexperienced teacher who didn't have children of her own
and, though she tried, just wasn't effective.
We pulled Jared and began homeschooling him.
His first flight was '08 at the McKinney Airport. We actually signed Cole up and listed Jared
as the "friend". During that flight, the
pilot allowed him to take the wheel briefly.
That seemed to trigger something in him because he talked about it for
weeks and wanted to become a pilot.
We didn't pursue it at first because I didn't think it would
be a possibility with an AU label, but when we heard about Civil Air Patrol we
enrolled him in Feb. '09. His first four
tests are Aerospace Education modules and he's studying intently. This past weekend, he attended his first
event with his older sister, who has also joined; Airman Leadership
School. I wasn't sure how he'd respond to the program
(AU kids can be so dogmatic about everything, they appear defiant), but he
LOVED it and did well with the structure of it.
I think he proved something to himself and found a new confidence.
Thankfully, the McKinney
fly time was changed to June 6th freeing him up to participate this
year!
Though he probably won't be able to fly through CAP for a
couple of years, Challenge Air has really touched his life and, hopefully,
given him something to reach for beyond what I once believed he could ever
do.
Thank you for this program and please feel free to share
this with your pilots!
J. Reed, Mother
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Make Your Donation Now to the 2009
Annual Fund!
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Challenge Air Needs Your Support.........
Just about
every sector of the economy is hurting today, including the non-profit sector and especially grass-roots organizations like Challenge
Air. Many corporations and foundations are cutting back their giving.
Non-profits are having to rely heavily on their individual donors to
get them through these tough times. This stands true for Challenge Air.
In the
past, if you have made a monetary donation, would you please  considering giving that much or more
today? No amount is too large or too small. You can be a part of helping the children Challenge
Air serves break through barriers and literally soar to new heights!
Your
donation measures up: The Challenge Air e-newsletter goes out to over
5,000 friends. If everyone gave $10, that would equal $50,000!
Additionally, there are many other ways you can contribute to Challenge Air. Some of these include: participate on a
local volunteer event planning committee, help introduce Challenge Air to new
corporate entities, volunteer in any of our three office locations: Dallas,
L.A. and Ft. Lauderdale, or help with the gala and silent auction, just to name
a few. Please feel free to contact Byron Laszlo anytime if you would like to learn more
about ways you can help.
Donate Now to the Annual Fund!
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