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

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

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.

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

Fundraising is the biggest challenge of any non-profit organization. Fortunately for Honor Flight Chicago, we often get to have a lot of fun doing it, like with the Air and Water Show last year or our sock hop and costume contest — and our latest fundraiser will be no exception.

On May 14, Honor Flight Chicago will be hosting dinner, dancing, raffles, and a surprise guest at 115 Bourbon Street. Not only do attendees get to have a great time, but they also have the satisfaction of knowing they helped send World War II Veterans to see their memorial in Washington, D.C.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Honor Flight Chicago, so get out your dancing shoes and join us in Merrionette Park on Friday, May 14th. Tickets are just $25 in advance and $30 at the door, which includes dinner, draft beer, wine, soft drinks, entertainment and valet parking. World War II Veterans will be given complimentary admission, so they can accompany their guests free of charge!  For more information on the event and how to purchase tickets, view the flyer here.

Be sure to buy your tickets early — this is going to be a popular event. Honor Flight Chicago can’t wait to party with you and send more World War II Veterans to Washington, D.C.!

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

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 6-8^th 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 24^th.

Congratulations Ryan — Honor Flight Chicago is proud of you!

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

Follow us on Twitter. Find us on Facebook.

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!

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

Follow us on Twitter. Find us on Facebook.

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 5^th 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!

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

Follow us on Twitter. Find us on Facebook.

Like most nonprofit charities, Honor Flight Chicago works through donations — individual donations, donations through fundraisers, and donations through grants.

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Every penny counts toward honoring our veterans with a trip to their memorial. But when so many are feeling the pinch themselves through lost jobs or reduced wages, it can be difficult to find money to send to a favorite charity. That’s where grants can make a wonderful world of difference, helping shore up the gap as they are often for larger sums of money.

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Each day Honor Flight Chicago receives 20 calls from people suggesting a new grant for us — some company, some organization, some school’s alumni. We love these suggestions, but unfortunately we often can’t apply because we don’t have a contact. Many of these grants require a sponsor between the company and the charity — they don’t have to give money but instead act as a liaison.

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Our theme this fall quarter is that there’s no greater time to say thanks. We’re asking you to say thanks by sharing your connections. Maybe you worked at Company X. Maybe you graduated from School Y. Maybe you’re a member of Organization Z. All of those connections are invaluable when applying for a grant.

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To share a connection, please e-mail Mary Pettinato at PRMedia@HonorFlightChicago.org or call 773.227.VETS with ideas or contacts to pursue.

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In addition, please think of who you know and help us connect with those contacts as well. Maybe you didn’t work at Company X, but you have a friend who does. Help us get the word out by becoming a fan on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and checking us out on LinkedIn. Spread the word and increase our network.

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Help us say thank you to the 1,000 World War II veterans still on our list, waiting for a flight, by sharing your connections with us so we can apply for more grants to achieve the ultimate goal: helping every WWII veteran in the Chicagoland area see their memorial.

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

Follow us on Twitter. Find us on Facebook.

Back in July we posted about Honor Flight Chicago’s latest fundraiser, a special barbeque at the Oak Street Beachstro during the Air and Water Show Preview.

Not only was this a phenomenal opportunity to raise money for flights while honoring veterans, but it was particularly important because it was part of a contest at McKinsey and Company, where the non-profit that raised the most money would receive an additional $5,000 — enough to send another 10 veterans to see their memorial.

Among stiff competition, Honor Flight Chicago had made it to the final round of the McKinsey competition. We made a big push for the Chicago Air and Water Show fundraiser, and it paid off. We raised over $25,000 and won the McKinsey competition! Thank you for allowing us to be able to send so many more veterans to see their memorial, before it’s too late.

Among the beautiful weather and amazingly talented pilots of the Chicago Air and Water Show, 344 attendees showed their support for Honor Flight Chicago. From cars to cabs to limousines, attendees crowded the beach. Sons and daughters of veterans flew in to see the planes their fathers piloted in the war. All came to soak up the sights, listen to the Legacy Girls, and honor our WWII veterans.

Unfortunately, some couldn’t make it. However, many of those people still sent donations to ensure that any veteran who wanted to attend would be able to. From $5 checks to $500 checks, every amount helped push us to make this the biggest fundraiser in Honor Flight Chicago history. And, through everyone’s generosity, Honor Flight Chicago was able to provide complimentary entry for all veterans who were unable to pay the entrance fee.

A great time was had by all, so mark your calendars now for next year’s Air and Water Show fundraiser — August 13, 2010. In the meantime, say hi to Honor Flight Chicago at our next fundraiser on Saturday, August 29 at Durty Nellie’s Pub and Restaurant!

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)

If you always long for the “good ol’ days,” you’ll want to head to Durty Nellie’s Pub and Restaurant for neat-o sock hop.

On August 29, Honor Flight Chicago will be hosting their latest fundraiser, complete with door prizes and a costume contest — so grab your dancing shoes and your poodle skirt. Mike Valentine and Elvis, aka Bob West, will be on hand to provide entertainment.

If you have yet to attend an Honor Flight Chicago fundraiser, you’re missing out. Not only will you have a fun night, but you’ll get to meet Honor Flight staff, veterans, and know you’re helping out a very worthy cause.

Tickets are just $15, which you can call to purchase in advance or buy at the door. For more information, view the flyer here, and to get directions to Durty Nellie’s, you can visit their Web site here.

Be sure to buy your tickets early because we can’t wait to see you — and your best jitterbug dance moves!

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Donate. Volunteer. Sign Up a Vet.
Visit http://honorflightchicago.org
Or call 773.227.VETS (8387)