Upcoming Programs:
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Portland, Oregon
August 6, 2011
Kansas City, Missouri
September 10, 2011
Denver, Colorado
October 1, 2011
ARE YOU A:
Participant?
Volunteer?
Pilot?
Agency?
REGISTER NOW!
DID YOU KNOW?
"Fly Days" are always
offered at NO COST to all participating children & families. This is only possible through philanthropic gifts made by corporations, foundations and you. Please consider making a donation today to support the next
"Fly Day" event. Donations can be made online. We thank you in advance for your support.
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Living with
3 Boys Blog.... | |
Click here to read one families experience
via their blog.
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Responses Taken From a Recent Survey After the McKinney "Fly Day":
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Do you believe this event has gave you child/children a boost
in self-esteem?
Please explain.
Absolutely. She can fly a plane! She can add this unique event to her list of 'cans', something very few of her friends can say.
Yes! She will have trouble driving but she does great and feels confident in flying.
She is looking into a job
where she can fly.
YES. He went to school and told his teacher about it, and told the other kids about it. And his big sister who flew with us was so thrilled. She told her whole class about it and everyone said, "What? Your brother got to fly a plane???" It gave him some "wow" points as people started realizing that he's a kid who does cool stuff, too.
Absolutely! Both his physical abilities and awareness levels have increased so he can actually co-pilot now right next to the pilot. The last two pilots we've had have been great with this!
I know that both times we have returned from the event he has worked harder and been motivated. I truly believe that this is the single program that allows my son to realize that there is no limit to what he can accomplish. As a matter of fact, he is aware that there is usually two events in this area each year and is thinking about how he can volunteer at the one he is not attending.
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MISSION:
Challenge Air builds self-esteem and confidence of children and youth with specials needs, through the
experience of flight.
Since 1993, Challenge Air has enriched the lives of 30,000 children and youth with special needs through its unique aviation programs. Challenge Air's mission reflects the life-changing impact the flight experience has on children, families, donors, sponsors and communities as a whole.
With a network of nearly 3,500 volunteers, nationwide volunteers serve as pilots, ground crew, fundraisers, planning committee members and in numerous other capacities. As Challenge Air continues to grow and add more programs across the country, its mission will remain true....
To continue to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to special needs children and youth through the gift of flight.
Challenge Air
7363 Cedar Springs Road Dallas, Texas 75235
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Dear Friends of Challenge Air, June 2011
The first and second quarters at Challenge Air have been very busy. Two "Fly Days" were held from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida to our hometown in McKinney, Texas. A mother from the Ft. Lauderdale "Fly Day" wrote a thank you that especially tugged at my heart strings.
"I want to thank everyone involved in the event. It was an incredible experience. My older son was so anxious to go! Once we got there he settled down a bit. After the flight, it was all he talked about! He enjoyed it more than I ever could have imagined. My little one never said much, was beaming after and is still wearing the pin they gave him after the flight. Everyone involved in putting this together are phenomenal people and hats off to you all."
Challenge Air is truly in the business of building self-esteem and confidence through the gift of flight.
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On Saturday, June 11th, Challenge Air participated in CABA,
(Colorado Aviation Business Association) "Aviation Saves" program at Centennial Airport. Challenge Air CEO, April Culver, is pictured her with Denver Fly Day Event Chair, Suzanne Yeonopolus.
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Challenge Air is excited to announce its joint partnership with Airshow Buzz, an online community of airshow enthusiasts. Challenge Air "Fly Days" will be highlighted on their website. I am also happy to report that Challenge Air has received over $11,000 in in-kind advertisement from Flying Magazine.
Additionally, in an effort to better serve our families, volunteers and communities we have been working diligently to update our website and will be including training video's for volunteers and a "welcome to fly day" video for registered participants. We are still in need of a "Joomla" and Google Adwords expert/s that would be willing to donate their time to help us maximize our current website capabilities. If you or someone you know can possibly help, please contact us at (214) 351-3353 or email me.
Staff has been diligently planning and organizing the remaining three Fall "Fly Day" programs that include: Portland, Oregon on August 6th; Kansas City, Missouri on September 10th; and Denver, Colorado on October 1st. Funds are still needed to support these "Fly Day" programs. If you are interested in donating or helping to underwrite any of the "Fly Day" programs, click here.
We are continually inspired by each and every family's story of victory after their experience in a Challenge Air "Fly Day." Thank you in advance for your continued support in our mission....these families need you.
In Appreciation,
April Culver
CEO
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| Fourth Annual Barson Golf Classic to Benefit Children with Special Needs | |
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(L-R) Challenge Air Board Member Steve Birch; Challenge Air CEO April Culver; Bryan Piper and Presenting Sponsor Ron Barson and Lottie Fowler. |
On Monday, May 23rd over 200 golfers gathered together at Great Southwest Golf Club in Grand Prairie for the Fourth Annual Barson Golf Classic to play golf.
Over $10,000 was raised to help support the remaining 2011 Challenge Air Fly Day programs.
 Thank you to the Barson Golf Classic presenting sponsors: Barson Utilities, Road Runner Rental, Ashley Concrete, Lasting Impressions Advertising, HD Supply Waterworks, Hanson Heidelberg Cement Group and TXI.
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| There's No Better Time Than Now.... |
If Challenge Air has ever given you  hope or brought a smile to the face of a child you love...there's no better way to say thank you than making a special gift to Challenge Air in their honor. Please consider Challenge Air in your annual giving. |
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Challenge Air Kids to Participate in Night
of Superstars: Dallas Event - June 25th!
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The Red Carpet....
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Ten Challenge Air participants along with several other Dallas-area youngsters will have the opportunity to walk the red carpet and participate in the annual Night of Superstars event to held Saturday, June 25th at the Winspear Opera House.
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Founder of Kids of Dallas, Greg Johnson
(Far Left) poses with the superstars.
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The Night of Superstars is an event unlike any other for children with special needs. Created out of the love for the number of kids who feel they could never experience a life of stardom due to incurable diseases, birth defects or accidents, this was their night to be a superstar and shine.
"The kids are the real superstars," says Greg Johnson, founder and chairman of Night of Superstars. "They inspire those around them and impact thousands of others who hear their stories of overcoming great adversity. Celebrating these youngsters and their many contributions is long overdue. We want them to realize what superstars they truly are."
Prior to the event girls will be fitted for ball gowns and the boys will be fitted for tuxedos, all donated by Dallas area businesses. News media will also be on-site as the youngsters exit their limousines to walk the red carpet.
Local high-profile personalities be in attendance like: Nellie Sciutto (The Departed, Shutter Island, The Aviator, etc); Amy Vanderoef of Good Morning Texas (ABC); Kent Rathbun, Iron Chef America & Restaurateur, Owner of Abacus and Jasper's in Frisco, The Woodlands and Austin; Gina Miller (CBS 11); Kim Fischer (NBC); Fiona Gorostiza (FOX); Jan Strimple (Model & Fashion Industry Icon); Brendan Higgins (host/producer of Wasted America); and many others!
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2010 Night of Superstars participant Vienna gives her autograph to a fan.
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Following the red carpet event is an awards ceremony where each of our Superstars is recognized for his or her accomplishments and receives an award. After the awards ceremony, the kids and their parents return to their complimentary hotel rooms for a weekend "staycation" and the guests move on to our Celebrity/Sponsor Post Reception for great food/drink & entertainment at ALOFT Hotel (downtown Dallas)!
"We are excited to partner with the Night of Superstars event," said Challenge Air's CEO April Culver. "These kids bless us in more ways than we can even count."
To purchase tickets or for more information about the Night of Superstars event contact Greg Johnson.
Click here for the facebook link.
 | | Night of Superstars 2010 - Dallas |
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