FALL FLIGHTS: Saturdays, September 21 and October 19; both flights from Fort Lauderdale to Baltimore-Washington International on Spirit Airlines.
After two successful spring flights on Spirit, we are getting close to our two fall flights. Chairman Rick Asper said he expects some different challenges in the fall with Spirit eager to use the flights as team-building ventures and a chance to build its reputation. Spirit has requested 13 seats on each flight to give employees — everyone from baggage handlers to pilots to President Ted Christie — the Honor Flight experience. This means we will be flying with a few less guardians and staff. Rick said he will be meeting with Spirit officials about getting their staff more involved during the flight day.
Rick said he is “encouraged about 2020” with the possibility of five flights. He is negotiating with Spirit again but said there are several other airline possibilities.
OPERATION HOMECOMING & SOCIAL MEDIA: We are just under 5 weeks until the SEPTEMBER 21st OPERATION HOMECOMING, a patriotic party and welcome home! A digital flyer will be available and emailed to you in the coming weeks, but join and RSVP to our Homecoming Event page for the most up-to-the-minute information, by clicking here! While you’re there, you can share the event through Facebook with your friends and family. As always, we encourage all of you to find us on Facebook and Instagram and hit “like” to keep up to date with hub news. We post several times each week and you’ll stay up to date with all things Honor Flight!
VETERANS UPDATE: Bev Engler reported that the September 21 flight is booked with 72 veterans — 11 World War II, 19 Korea and 42 Vietnam vets. There are 73 veterans confirmed for October 19 — 5 World War II, 12 Korea and 56 Vietnam.
GUARDIANS UPDATE: If you have been waiting to go as a guardian, September 21 is your best chance. Mercy Iglesias said a full roster of guardians is scheduled for October 19, but a dozen are needed for September 21. Go on the website — www.honorflightsouthflorida.org — and submit the guardian application.
GROUND CREW: We will need our usual corps of “ground crew” volunteers for both flight days — 4 a.m. for check-in and 6 p.m. for homecoming. If you are available to help, email tom.christensen720@gmail.com and specify September 21 and/or October 19 and early morning or homecoming.
FUNDRAISING: Joe Ewart is off to a fast start as our new fundraising chairman. He announced that Mission BBQ and Honor Flight would be partnering on a golf tournament in Davie, probably during the first week of November. He also is presenting a proposal to Norwegian Cruise Line to sponsor a flight. Another possibility is a poker tournament. Fundraising is such an important part of any charity. If you have ideas or would like to help plan events, contact joe@cruisejungle.com.
**If you are an Amazon shopper, details below on how to select Honor Flight South Florida as the recipient for Amazon Smile Foundation donations – with a small shift in how you ‘access’ Amazon, and selection of HFSF as your charity of choice, we will receive — at zero extra cost to you — a 0.5% of your eligible purchases in money back. Any Amazon shopper can do this – PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY and CO-WORKERS, for every day shopping as well as the approaching holiday shopping season!
MORE FUNDRAISING: Some of our most successful events are when volunteers take the initiative in making the contacts and planning the details. There were two good examples at Wednesday’s meeting. Elaine Martin is setting up an Honor Flight table at a flea market September 21 at Volunteer Park in Plantation. If you would like to help or have items to donate, contact Elaine at FL54@hotmail.com or 305-984-2405. Items must be in working order or good condition — lamps, small electronics, handbags, belts, wallets, hats, figurines (Lladro, Lenox, Precious Moments), tools, small furniture, toys (only if new and in box), Christmas/Hanukkah items). Sorry, no clothing. … Colleen Brooks is planning a “Beatle Mania” fundraiser November 14 at the Greek Joint, 1925 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tickets are $40 for appetizers and the performance by Beatles cover band “2 of Us + 1”; more details to come.
*Flyer for the Flea Market donations linked below.
VETERAN RECRUITING: Mike Miskew has two veteran recruiting events coming up — August 21 at Samson Oceanfront Park in Sunny Isles Beach and August 27 at Oakmonte Village of Davie. Contact mikemiskew@gmail.com if you would like to help.
NEXT MEETINGS: Mark your calendars for the remainder of 2019. Meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on these Wednesday nights:
September 18 — Broward College, Davie, building 22, room 136
October 16 — Broward College, Davie, building 22, room 136
November 13 — Broward College, Davie, building 22, room 136
December 11 — Plantation Fire Department, 550 NW 65th Ave.
Remember to register for meeting updates and other news at www.honorflightsouthflorida.org/register/
—Tom Christensen, volunteer coordinator