Amazing Volunteers: Raising the Bar
What happens when you get 42 energetic, dedicated volunteers – led by Jimmy Hunter and Mike Mahoney – in a room and challenge them to put together a fundraiser? In the case of the wonderful group responsible for the May 14th event at 115 Bourbon Street, you come up with a fundraiser that draws over 600 people and raises the most money ever for one event for Honor Flight Chicago — over $36,000!
These wonderful folks put on a well-organized event that brought together a variety of raffle opportunities, entertainment by The Legacy Girls and Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society, and great food and beverage. World War II veterans were invited to attend free of charge, and it was great to see so many Honor Flight Chicago “alumni” there enjoying themselves and swapping stories of their special day in Washington, D.C.!
Kudos to each and every one these wonderful volunteers — they put in untold hours of effort to ensure that everything was perfect! Not only was a great time had by all, but because of their hard work, we will be able to honor more than 70 veterans with their day of honor!
Bourbon Street Volunteers
The organizers of this event have thrown down the gauntlet and challenged any other group to beat their awesome total. The challenge has been accepted by Herschel Luckinbill, who is organizing the next event to be held on July 16th (check back soon for more details). Can Herschel’s team beat the record? He is up to the challenge and hopes everyone will help by attending his fundraiser and supporting Honor Flight Chicago!
Throwing down the gauntlet
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
Three Cheers for Our Amazing Volunteers
Honor Flight Chicago has zero employees. Our organization runs strictly on the support of hundreds of volunteers who do an amazing job. Each flight requires more than 250 man-hours to bring together — and that’s before we even get off the ground!
From pre-flight operations to fundraising, communications to airport logistics, volunteers keep Honor Flight Chicago running.
Businesses like American Taxi Dispatch, Inc. have offered their services. Volunteers, from Boy Scouts to Cheer Teams, have gotten creative with fundraisers and raised thousands of dollars for flights. Kids have done many different things. A high school History Club recently held a walk-a-thon and raised over $1,000. Kids have even held Penny Wars to raise funds. Raising funds is an important form of volunteering to Honor Flight Chicago and is very much appreciated!
Interested? It’s an amazing opportunity to say thank you to our heroes and help give them the day of honor they deserve. You’d be surprised at the number of ways you can get involved. There are opportunities for volunteers with all types of talents and interests.
Get a volunteer application here, or dip your toe into the volunteering pool by coming out to our next Welcome Home Celebration on May 12th. By joining the hundreds of people that gather at the airport to greet the veterans as they come home, you can help put the perfect end to a perfect day.
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
April 21st is the Day!
The time has come — Honor Flight Chicago will be kicking off flight season with our first flight of the year on April 21. We currently have 10 flights scheduled for a 29-week period! We’re so excited that another year is upon us.
At Honor Flight Chicago, we’re anxious to get started with flights again so that we can honor more of our heroes. We want to take as many veterans as possible to Washington, D.C. to see the memorial built in their honor.
Unfortunately, the sense of urgency is getting these veterans to their memorial continues to grow. Honor Flight Chicago currently has over 1,200 veterans on our waiting list, and our goal is to get as many of them as possible to Washington while they are still able to do so.
Making these flights happen requires the support of many people — donors and volunteers alike. We need to raise the funds to make the flights possible and need the volunteers to help make them happen.
One way to show your support for our heroes is to come out for the Welcome Home celebration. Honor Flight Chicago enlists hundreds of volunteers to come to Midway Airport to greet the veterans as they return home from their day in Washington, D.C.
Please join us on April 21st for our first Welcome Home celebration of the year! All you have to do is meet at the baggage claim area at Midway Airport. Their flight arrives at 8:30 p.m., but we ask that volunteers arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the flight’s arrival. We hope to see you on April 21st so that you can help make the Welcome Home the memorable celebration that the veterans have been awaiting for more than 60 years.
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
Follow us on Twitter. Find us on Facebook.
Amazing Volunteers: Ryan Mahoney
Honor Flight Chicago is privileged to have some pretty amazing volunteers. One of those is Ryan Mahoney, a social studies teacher at Independence Jr. High School in Palos Heights.
Here’s his story of how he became involved with our organization:
“A few years ago I was researching charitable organizations for my basketball team to become involved with and happened upon Honor Flight Chicago. I was hooked immediately.
I am honored to be able to be a small part of Honor Flight Chicago. Not only did my father and I begin volunteering, the Independence basketball team raised almost $10,000 for Honor Flight.
The Welcome Home celebrations are amazing, but my favorite part is seeing the excitement on the faces of the vets the morning of the flights. Only special people can be that happy and excited at that hour of the morning!
Volunteering with Honor Flight Chicago is, to me, a way to say thanks to the men and women who sacrificed so much for us. I feel like it helps me connect with my father, Mike, a proud Navy veteran as well as remember my Uncle James, a World War II Naval Aviator.”
Ryan is not only a valued member of the Honor Flight Chicago team — he was recently recognized as the Illinois VFW Teacher of the Year 6-8th Grade. This award was even more special to Ryan because it was from the VFW. As he said, “To receive an award from true heroes is more than I could have hoped for.”
The photo shows Ryan receiving his award from VFW state commander Jules Spindler at an assembly held at his school on February 24th.
Congratulations Ryan — Honor Flight Chicago is proud of you!
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
USO at Midway – Always there for our Veterans
Most people are familiar with what the USO does for active duty service personnel and their families. Their mission to provide morale, welfare, and recreation has been made famous by their USO shows to entertain troops, from Bing Crosby to Stephen Colbert, Judy Garland to Carrie Underwood, and, of course, Bob Hope.
Yet, few people know this incredible organization also supports Honor Flight Chicago.
Every flight day, from start to finish, USO at Midway volunteers and staff are an integral part to the day’s activities at the airport. From assisting with the logistics of escorting veterans to the gate to providing them with refreshments before departure, the USO at Midway lends a helping hand from the moment the first veteran arrives at the airport until the plane takes off for Washington.
As the veterans enjoy their day at their memorial (where the USO is present to help out as well), the USO at Midway helps in the preparations for the Welcome Home ceremony. As people begin to arrive to cheer the veterans for the Welcome Home, the USO at Midway is there to assist, doing whatever it takes to help get everything ready for the magic moment that first veteran steps off of the plane.
In short, the USO at Midway helps ensure everything goes smoothly with all the festivities at the airport.
Honor Flight Chicago truly appreciates all the hard work the USO at Midway organization does for our veterans, as they ensure our veterans are recognized for all they gave to their country and work with us to show our appreciation to them with a day of remembrance and honor.
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
Amazing Volunteers: $6,000 Raised for Honor Flight — By One Teenager
Raising $6,000 is no easy task. It took a year of planning and organization — yet one boy still in high school was up to the challenge.
Sixteen-year-old Kevin Neuhengen needed a project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting. After hearing about Honor Flight Chicago and its admirable goal, Kevin decided to make Honor Flight Chicago the recipient of his project funds.
During that year, Kevin spoke at church, arranged a fundraiser at Panera Bread, and submitted information for inclusion in his church bulletin as just part of the process to earn his rank. All of his hard work paid off. Not only did he complete all of the rigorous requirements to attain the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scout Troop 175 in Niles, but he raised more than $6,000 for Honor Flight Chicago — enough funds to send 11 more veterans to see their memorial. As Kevin said, “I think my project helped the veterans by giving them the chance to see their memorials.”
This is an amazing accomplishment for an individual fundraiser. We give Kevin a huge pat on the back and sincere thanks for his generous efforts on our behalf. Congratulations, Kevin!
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
What Makes Honor Flight Chicago Run?
The military could not run without people helping everywhere – from the front lines to the mess halls to recruiting back home – and neither could Honor Flight Chicago.
There are a lot of pieces that come together to make Honor Flight Chicago successful in honoring our World War II veterans by enabling them to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C. Without each of these pieces, we could not make it work.
One of the major factors in making everything work are the great volunteers who step up to do everything from A to Z. Honor Flight Chicago has zero paid employees, which enables us to use our funds to send more veterans to Washington, rather than paying salaries. We are fortunate to have a very dedicated, adaptable corps of volunteers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
We have a variety of committees dedicated to the various components necessary to make things work: Communications, Veterans Outreach, Fundraising, Administration, and Logistics. Check back in the coming weeks as we profile each of these committees on the blog — you never know what you might want to be a part of!
If you are interested in joining the ranks of the Honor Flight Chicago volunteers, please complete the Volunteer Application. We need people with all skills. Not only do we appreciate your help — it is very much appreciated by our veterans! Without the volunteers, Honor Flight Chicago could not be possible.
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
Cheers for the Batavia High School Cheer Team
There is little Honor Flight Chicago could do without the help of volunteers and fundraisers. We hold many fundraisers through our organization, but we are always so thankful of other organizations that choose to honor us. The Batavia High School Cheer team is one such organization.
The Batavia High School Cheer team chose Honor Flight Chicago as the recipient of their 5th annual fundraiser. To conclude their fundraising efforts, an Open House was held in early November, where the girls were “Flippin’ and Flyin’ for Honor Flight!”
They came through with flying colors, raising $6,640.87 — almost a third more than their goal! Because of their efforts and the support of those who contributed, more than a dozen veterans will be able to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C. Great job team, and thank you for your efforts!
While kudos are in order for everyone on the team, we especially want to recognize the top three fundraisers – Amy Gladis, Lizzy O’Brien and Camry Schroeder — shown here presenting the $6,640.87 check to Mary Pettinato. Great job!
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
New Year, New Resolution
As each new year begins, it’s often tradition to come up with a new resolution. Whether eating better or exercising more, New Year’s resolutions are also often broken faster than you can clean up the balloons and confetti.
But this year, many Honor Flight Chicago volunteers are taking a different approach and going with a resolution they’ll be sure to keep throughout the year: to do everything and anything they can to help ensure as many veterans are possible are honored for their service to our country. They want to see every veteran onto planes to see their memorial in Washington, D. C.
It takes a large network of people to make an Honor Flight work. From raising money to spreading the word about Honor Flight Chicago, everyone can resolve to help more very deserving veterans head to Washington, D. C. for a day they’ll never forget. It’s definitely a New Year’s resolution worth keeping.
What’s your resolution this year?
___________
Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)
Bette Bulletin
One of the most important positions within Honor Flight Chicago is that of the Veteran Coordinator. This person is the one who calls the veterans who have been selected to go on a flight — over 1,000 to date — and invites them to join us. We are privileged to have Bette Nahas serving in this integral position. Not only does Bette coordinate the process to schedule the veterans, but for many of our veterans, Bette is the first verbal contact they have with the organization. She certainly makes a favorable impression on them with her cheery, outgoing personality, endless patience, and positive attitude! Bette also serves as a Board Member and is truly dedicated to the cause of honoring our heroes.
Unfortunately, Bette was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and is now making plans for her medical treatment. Over the next few months as Bette fights this disease — and she truly is a fighter — we will keep you updated on her progress through entries on this blog. During this holiday season, we are asking you and all members of Honor Flight Chicago’s extended family to keep Bette in your prayers.
Please continue to check back each week as we update you on Bette’s progress. We will be posting an address to which cards can be mailed; however, in the interim, you are welcome to leave any words of encouragement to Bette as a comment to this post. We will ensure that all comments are given to Bette.
