NEWS from World Wings International, Inc.
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World Wings International, Inc. The Philanthropic Organization of Former Flight Attendants of Pan American World Airways.
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PAN AM HISTORICAL FOUNDATION HONORS
WORLD WINGS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
WITH CLIPPER HERITAGE AWARD FOR HUMANITARIAN CONTRIBUTIONS
Former Pan Am Flight Attendants Join Past Honorees - Boeing, Sir Richard Branson, Americares, Project Orbis In Receiving Prestigious Aviation Prize
SAN FRANCISCO---The Pan Am Historical Foundation recently honored World Wings International, Inc., the philanthropic organization of former Pan Am flight attendants, with its prestigious Clipper Heritage Award. The award recognizes humanitarian contributions involving aviation. In making the presentation at the 75th Anniversary Celebrations for Pan Am's launch of the first Transpacific Flight, PAHF Chairman Edward Trippe praised World Wings for "adopting, from its inception, Pan American's historic commitment to country and to service and for carrying that tradition forward by tirelessly fostering volunteerism and charitable giving."
World Wings joins several prominent aviation and philanthropic pioneers and previous recipients, including Bob and Lila Macauley, founders of AmeriCares; Al Ueltschi, founder of Project Orbis, the flying eye hospital; Sir Richard Branson, for his 25 million dollar prize for a cleaner and greener aviation fuel, and The Boeing Commercial Airplane Company on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Boeing 707, which officially launched the Jet Age.
"We are thrilled and honored to have World Wings International's efforts recognized so prominently," says World Wings President Norma Simon, noting that since its inception in 1959, World Wings International has donated over $3 million to various charitable causes.
 | | World Wings International President Norma B. Simon accepts the Clipper Heritage Award from Pan Am Historical Foundation Chairman, Edward Trippe. |
World Wings Cares
From day care centers and hospitals to CARE's efforts to aid women in the developing world, charities around the globe benefit from World Wings International's philanthropic efforts. Each of its 30 chapters in the US, Europe and Japan support local charities including hospices, shelters, museums, schools, soup kitchens and medical research..
Although World Wings started primarily as a social group, it soon became a socially conscious one. In 1994, World Wings International selected CARE as its international charity, while still maintaining the local charities of individual WWI-chapters.
Today, World Wings is a valued CARE-partner, supporting programs aiding women and children in developing countries, generating publicity about CARE efforts world-wide and engaging in advocacy on behalf of CARE.
 Each year, CARE organizes a trip for interested members and officers to see first-hand how effectively World Wings' donations are being used. World Wings members also participate in annual CARE events in Washington, DC. World Wingers are part of CARE's advocacy efforts at this time, and visit their congressional representatives on CARE's behalf.
During their flying days, and in keeping with Pan American World Airways' tradition of global humanitarian assistance, Pan Am flight attendants could be found in working in refugee camps in Hong Kong, Nepal and Thailand, aiding orphanages in Latin America, visiting military hospitals in Vietnam, and participating in various community action programs at their home bases. When American citizens were caught in the midst of war or civil strife, Pan Am was there with planes staffed by volunteer crews.
In 1975, Pan Am flight attendants braved the advancing Vietnamese army to participate in the Vietnam Baby Lift, evacuating hundreds of Amerasian war orphans to safety and new homes in the United States. Dedicated crews operated the last commercial flight out of Vietnam, carrying many of Pan Am's Vietnamese staff.
World Wings International has grown into a strong philanthropic force, acting locally and globally. Says President Norma Simon," In our travels, we saw the best and the worst. We saw the world's wonders, but we also saw horrendous poverty and the results of war and political conflict. Too often, we were victims of the conflicts ourselves. We remain deeply involved in the world we traveled."
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MEDIA CONTACT: Anne Sweeney
Anne Sweeney Public Relations. 732-329-6629. aspubrel@aol.com
Anne Sweeney Public Relations is the 
PR counsel for World Wings International, Inc.
The agency specializes in marketing communications for the travel, hospitality, retail, restaurant and health care industries. Anne, who flew for Pan Am from 1964-1975 and also worked in Pan Am's Corporate Communications Department, is a member of World Wings and serves as its Communications Director.
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