easyJet launches emergency collection to support UNICEF’s Türkiye and Syria earthquake appeal

The emergency onboard collection will raise vital funds for children and their families affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria

Donations will go directly towards easyJet and UNICEF’s emergency appeal supporting children and their families in the region who need it the most

From Saturday 11th February, easyJet is launching an emergency onboard collection to raise vital funds for UNICEF’s Türkiye and Syria emergency earthquake appeal.

The in-flight collections will take place across easyJet’s entire network from Saturday over the next two weeks, offering more than 2.7 million passengers across 36 countries the opportunity to donate.

UNICEF is particularly concerned for the safety and wellbeing of children who have lost their homes, separated from their families, with no access to food or water supplies and left out in the freezing cold

The child rights organisation is currently working in the region to protect the safety, health and welfare of children

The funds raised from the collections will go directly towards supporting UNICEFs round-the-clock emergency response in the region, to help provide urgent support to the children who have lost their homes, sleeping rough and those who have been separated from their families.

easyJet has partnered with UNICEF for more than a decade and is currently supporting the charity’s latest emergency appeal following a successful Ukraine appeal last year, which raised more than £800,000 for children and their families impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Over the last 10 years easyJet’s customers have raised more than £16m through onboard donations, helping to protect millions of children around the world from disease and keep them safe during emergencies.

Michael Brown, Director of Cabin Services, commented:  “We are deeply saddened to hear about the devasting impact of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria and our thoughts are with all those affected. We would like to thank our customers in advance for any onboard donations for UNICEF’s emergency appeal and for their generosity and kindness. Their support will help UNICEF and their volunteers to provide a lifeline in the region for the children and families who have been affected.

“We’d also like to thank our fantastic crew who make these collections possible, who are always passionate about going the extra mile to raise money for UNICEF and the vital work they do.”

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive, UNICEF UK:  “In the wake of the recent and devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, we are thankful for Partners like easyJet. These are the most powerful earthquakes to hit the region in almost 100 years and came at the worst possible time for vulnerable children and their families.”

“UNICEF and easyJet are committed to ensuring that those affected receive urgent support. By supporting UNICEF’s appeal, easyJet is helping to provide access to emergency supplies.”

“Children face extra risks to their health without supplies of food and clean water and donations from easyJet and its customers will support UNICEF’s work around the clock to protect the health and welfare of children and their families.”

Republic Airways hosts 11th Annual Plane Pull at Indianapolis International Airport

Republic Airways today announced its 11th Annual Plane Pull presented by Lucas Oil will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Republic Airways Indianapolis Maintenance Center Hangar located on Indianapolis International Airport property at 3998 S. Hoffman Road, Indianapolis. The sky is the limit for this family-friendly event that has raised nearly $3.6 million since its inception. The event benefits A Kid Again, Indiana Wish, Riley Children’s Foundation and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent.

The Plane Pull began in memory of Tyler Frenzel, a Carmel, Indiana, boy who died from leukaemia in 2004. Over the years, funds raised through the Republic Airways Plane Pull have supported children battling life-threatening illnesses.

“Our community’s most valuable asset is our next generation. This unique opportunity to care for some of our most vulnerable children is a powerful way for people to make a difference and Republic Airways is proud to host this event,” said Amy Arnell, Director of Corporate and Community Responsibility for Republic Airways. “Whether you build a team with friends from work, school, church, or your neighbourhood, all are welcome to join us at this family-friendly event!”

The public is invited to participate or watch teams of ten race against the clock to pull a 24-ton aircraft across 15 feet. In addition to the Plane Pull, the event will feature a Kids’ Zone with activities for youth of all ages, food and beverage vendors and a variety of aircraft and airport vehicles to see and tour.

Event information, team registration and sponsorship opportunities can be found at RepublicPlanePull.com.

Republic also will host its annual Plane Pull Gala at Lucas Estate, catered by Prime 47, on Friday, April 21. The exclusive evening event will include silent and live auctions. Details on tables, donations and corporate sponsorship opportunities for the gala are available at RepublicPlanePull.com.

Airlink and USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Launch Haiti Air Bridge to Deliver Humanitarian Aid

Disaster logistics nonprofit Airlink has launched an air bridge from the US to Haiti, transporting humanitarian aid to the Caribbean Island on behalf of aid agencies working to overcome transport constraints and security concerns. 

Funding for the Airlink air bridge comes from a USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) grant to provide at least two charter flights a month until the end of January. In-kind freight forwarding (cargo pick-up coordination, ground transportation, and warehousing) has been provided by Airlink partner SEKO Logistics. 

Humanitarian agencies have struggled to get life-saving aid to the island due to transport costs and escalating gang violence, which have impacted maritime ports, road access, and overall security. Air charter prices have increased 160 percent in the last six years, and an estimated 200 gangs operate across Haiti, with around 95 operating in the capital Port-au-Prince. Meanwhile, the island’s population is dealing with an ongoing humanitarian emergency and the impact of multiple disasters, including the instability caused by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and a deadly earthquake in 2021. 

An outbreak of cholera is the latest disaster to hit the Haitian people. There are more than 18,000 suspected cases amongst the population, with 30 percent comprising children under the age of nine. The country's health system is struggling to cope. Of the twenty-two local health institutions, only six are fully functioning. The first two air bridge flights departed from Miami International Airport carrying 88 tons of aid, including medical supplies, IV fluids, water purification supplies, and clean water filtration equipment to help address the cholera crisis.  

Boeing to donate $300,000 for Indonesian earthquake relief efforts

The Boeing Company today announced a $300,000 donation (equivalent to IDR 4.6 billion) from the Boeing Charitable Trust to assist those who have been impacted by the recent Indonesian earthquake.

"The damage caused by this earthquake is devastating, and Boeing stands ready to assist our Indonesian colleagues, friends and neighbours who have been affected by this tragic event," said Ziad Ojakli, executive vice president of Government Operations. "We are committed to partnering with organizations that will quickly bring relief to the communities hardest hit so they can begin to heal and start the rebuilding process."

Boeing funding will support the following organizations:

$100,000 to GlobalGiving, in partnership with IDEP Foundation, to address immediate humanitarian needs across the region.

$100,000 to CARE International to provide emergency relief supplies and support.

$100,000 to CERDAS Foundation to support health, hygiene and food distribution for displaced persons.

"With the severity of damages caused by the recent earthquake, it will likely be months before many families can return to their homes," said Bonaria Siahaan, CEO of Yayasan CARE Peduli, CARE International's affiliate in Indonesia. "We appreciate the rapid support from Boeing, which will help 550 households meet their daily needs, including providing uniforms to elementary school students so they can stay in school and have a sense of ongoing normalcy."

As part of the Boeing Gift Match program, the company will match dollar-for-dollar monetary donations made by Boeing employees to charitable organizations supporting earthquake recovery and relief projects in Indonesia. This will extend the reach of assistance being provided to the Indonesian people.

"Boeing has been honoured to do business in Indonesia for over 73 years. Our Boeing teammates based in Jakarta and others around the world are actively supporting relief efforts on the ground. We are hopeful that Boeing's donation can further support the people of West Java, Governor Ridwan Kamil, and his staff during this challenging time," said Alexander Feldman, president of Boeing Southeast Asia.

Disaster relief efforts in Indonesia align with Boeing's ongoing commitment to the communities where Boeing employees live and work. Boeing's presence in Indonesia spans more than 73 years. Over the past decade, Boeing has contributed more than $3.1 million in charitable giving in the country.

Our Indonesia Presence (boeing.com)

Making a difference for children all over the world......UNICEF and American Airlines

UNICEF works every day to advocate, generate awareness and raise funds for the most pressing issues facing children worldwide. American Airlines flight attendants volunteer as Change for Good Champions to support the cause.

For more than 15 years, BOS-based Flight Attendant Frank Eschmann has passionately worked to amplify the voices and needs of children from around the world through the airline’s partnership with UNICEF. Every time Frank works an international trip, he ends the flight with an announcement about how customers can support UNICEF’s cause. He then carries a donation bag throughout the cabin to collect funds in any amount, and in any currency, for children in need.

“I always ask my colleagues who are interested in joining the program, ‘Would you walk 500 feet to save the life of a child?’ because that is about how many feet we walk when collecting coins on a Boeing 777. For those of us who have committed to being a Champion for Children, we won’t stop until every child is respected, protected, educated and healthy.”

In 2009, Frank was chosen to attend a UNICEF field visit to Honduras. There, he witnessed the invaluable impact the program has on children and families. After touring schools and health care clinics around Tegucigalpa, Frank committed to advocating for the program moving forward. “I got to see firsthand how these inflight donations were providing safe water, protection, education and medicine for families in need. To this day, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” he said.

American has supported UNICEF’s Change for Good campaign for the last 28 years, raising more than $18 million to support programs that improve children’s basic needs in communities throughout the world. American has about 5,000 Champions across its global network who are devoted to making a difference.

For ORD Flight Service Manager Silvia Salvi every penny counts when you’re collecting funds for children. In her leadership role, Silvia ensures her team has all the resources they need to be successful Champions.

“Our goal is to change the lives of children,” she said. “Whether we’re helping build schools or other things that we often take for granted, I love seeing how this program makes a difference in the lives of children all over the world. Every penny and every peso can have a positive impact on the lives of kids, and that’s what we are all about here.”

Silvia witnessed a decline in donations due to COVID-19, but even through the hardships brought on by the pandemic, she was proud to see her team continuing to collect life-saving donations from generous customers. “COVID affected this program because we weren’t flying as much internationally. However, even when we were collecting less, it was good to see that the smaller amounts still mattered. Now, since more people are able to travel again, we have to find a bigger safe to store all of the donations our team is gathering.”

Customers and team members can learn more about the Change for Good program and donate online.

American Airlines partners with Stand Up To Cancer to help save lives

Last week, American Airlines hosted representatives from Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) for a rally where team members learned more about the six-year collaboration. This year’s fundraising campaign raised more than $2.5 million and team members learned how that contributed directly to SU2C’s mission to fund lifesaving cancer research.

Team members heard directly from SU2C co-founder Rusty Robertson, scientist Dr. Heather McArthur, and Eric Stonestreet, celebrity ambassador and two-time Emmy award-winning actor, best known for his portrayal of Cam on the hit comedy series Modern Family, who shared his personal connection to the organization.

On a recent episode of Tell Me Why — the American Airlines vodcast series for team members that shares the “why” behind the decisions we make — Rusty Robertson, award-winning marketer and Co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), and Eric Stonestreet, two-time Emmy Award-winning actor, best known for his portrayal of Cam on the hit comedy series “Modern Family,” join Ron DeFeo, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, to talk about what makes American’s partnership with SU2C so unique, how funding supports scientists in the mission to make every cancer patient a long-term survivor and how their personal stories make them passionate about this cause.

Through its annual fundraising campaign with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), American Airlines raises nearly $2.5 million for innovative and life-saving cancer research.

This donation is the largest single contribution the airline has made to SU2C since joining forces in 2016. Over its six-year collaboration, American has raised a total of $13.5 million to benefit SU2C and its mission to make every cancer patient a long-term survivor.

“The unfortunate truth is that cancer has touched so many of us and our loved ones, and we’re all humbled to see the impact we can make together when uniting toward a common goal,” said American Airlines Chief Communications Officer Ron DeFeo. “Thanks to the generosity of our customers and team members, our contribution to Stand Up will fund research that has the potential to change the fight against cancer — and that gives us hope for the future.”

You can also download Tell Me Why as a podcast from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.

More than 190 deserving children set off on a holiday of a lifetime over the weekend courtesy of British Airways and UK-based charity Dreamflight.

Photo British Airways

More than 190 deserving children set off on a holiday of a lifetime over the weekend courtesy of British Airways and UK-based charity Dreamflight. It’s the 34th year that the two organisations have come together to run the incredible trip to Orlando, Florida.

Dreamflight supports young children across the UK aged between 8 and 14, all of whom either have a serious illness or disability.  Each year the charity works with British Airways to take the children on a truly memorable holiday. Due to the pandemic, Dreamflight hasn’t been able to take off for the last two years, making this year’s flight extra special.

Many of the 192 children that flew to Florida have never experienced a holiday or even a trip abroad before due to the complexities involved with their illnesses. To ensure the children are well looked after, they are accompanied 24-hours a day by volunteer doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, supported by British Airways’ cabin crew and pilots.

Photo British Airways

To send the children off in style, British Airways and Dreamflight hosted a special party in one of the airline’s Heathrow hangars. The children also enjoyed entertainment courtesy of an RAF Air Cadets Marching Band and tens of police puppies. In Orlando, the children will have eight magical days with an array of activities in the sunshine state including visits to Universal Studios and other Florida attractions.

easyJet to partner with disabled flying charity Aerobility to host a unique ‘Aurora Flight’.

easyJet is partnering once again with disabled flying charity Aerobility to host a unique ‘Aurora Flight’, providing the opportunity to experience the magic of the Northern Lights at 30,000 feet.

easyJet is partnering once again with disabled flying charity Aerobility to host a unique ‘Aurora Flight’, providing the opportunity to experience the magic of the Northern Lights at 30,000 feet.
Northern Lights & aircraft photos from easyJet

The flight will be the first Northern Lights experience the airline and charity have operated since before the pandemic, which have previously enabled hundreds of passengers to enjoy amazing views of the ‘Aurora Borealis’ from the sky over the past 8 years. The flights have even played host to an inflight marriage proposal, with  Oli and Steph Bruce from Oxfordshire tying the knot in June 2022 after getting engaged onboard the Aurora flight in February 2020. 

The ‘Aurora’ flight from London Gatwick on 18 February 2023 includes a two-course meal at Gatwick Sofitel Hotel, pre-departure presentations and inflight commentary from special guests including Sky at Night presenter Pete Lawrence and Aurora experts from the British Antarctic Survey, as well as entertainment and refreshments onboard.  

Tickets are now available to book at Aerobility.com/aurora for £349 per person, with discounted rates available for disabled flyers, carers and children.

The funds raised from the Aurora Flight will support disabled flying at Aerobility.  

Mike Miller-Smith, CEO at the charity said:  “We exist to change lives by providing anyone, with any disability with access to the magic and wonder of flight. We do this because taking the controls of an aircraft drives a focus on capability and encourages our flyers to ask the question ‘If I can fly an aeroplane, what else can I do?’  

‘Swing for Good’ The JetBlue fundraising campaign returns with the launch of ‘Bid for Good’

One of the leading U.S. budget carriers, JetBlue has announced the successful return of its annual Swing for Good fundraising campaign and the launch of its Bid for Good online auction. Since its tee-up in 2008, the airline’s fundraising initiative has raised over $8 million in total through its golf classic and online auction to support and further JetBlue’s roster of non-profit organizations. Proceeds from this year’s campaign will directly benefit World Central Kitchen and the JetBlue Foundation.

“We are delighted to bring back our annual Swing for Good initiative and to welcome our partners to an event that is larger than just a day of golf, but one that has lasting impacts through the funds raised,” said Robin Hayes, chief executive officer, JetBlue. “At JetBlue, our mission is to inspire humanity, and we do that best through living our company values, each day, and taking our charitable efforts to new heights with support from the JetBlue Foundation.”

Join JetBlue in Giving

The Swing for Good campaign includes the launch of JetBlue’s Bid for Good online auction, powered by Charitybuzz, featuring one-of-a-kind opportunities and experiences. This auction is open to the public starting today through October 21, 2022 at JetBlueBidforGood.com.

Some of JetBlue’s exclusive Bid for Good auction lots include:

• A business lunch with JetBlue's CEO Robin Hayes
• A flight training experience in JetBlue’s flight simulator at JetBlue University in Orlando, Florida
• VIP sports experiences with either the Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Brooklyn Nets, Florida Panthers, or New England Patriots
• A day of golf with JetBlue’s senior leaders and executives
• JetBlue Vacations packages and much more

The 2022 Swing for Good non-profit recipients include:

World Central Kitchen, founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, is a non-profit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying a model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 200 million nourishing meals around the world.

American Airlines Raises Nearly $2.5 Million for Lifesaving Cancer Research

Annual fundraising campaign with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) yields the airline’s largest single donation to SU2C ever

American is donating almost $2.5 million to SU2C after two-month fundraising campaign, thanks to the generosity of customers and team members.

The airline offered bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for donations to SU2C during August and September.

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Photo American Airlines

Through its annual fundraising campaign with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), American Airlines raises nearly $2.5 million for innovative and life-saving cancer research.

This donation is the largest single contribution the airline has made to SU2C since joining forces in 2016. Over its six-year collaboration, American has raised a total of $13.5 million to benefit SU2C and its mission to make every cancer patient a long-term survivor.

“The unfortunate truth is that cancer has touched so many of us and our loved ones, and we’re all humbled to see the impact we can make together when uniting toward a common goal,” said American Airlines Chief Communications Officer Ron DeFeo. “Thanks to the generosity of our customers and team members, our contribution to Stand Up will fund research that has the potential to change the fight against cancer — and that gives us hope for the future.”

This year, the airline decided to double the length of the fundraising campaign to two months. Throughout August and September, customers received 25 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for every dollar on a donation of $25 or more to SU2C. Additionally, anyone who used their American Airlines AAdvantage® Mastercard® credit card to contribute between $25 and $10,000, received 50 bonus AAdvantage® miles per dollar until the campaign reached $1 million in donations.

Stand Up To Cancer enables scientific breakthroughs by funding collaborative, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional scientific cancer research teams and investigators.

“Since 2016, SU2C research has contributed to six new FDA approved treatments for cancer,” said Rusty Robertson, Stand Up To Cancer Co-Founder. “These life-saving breakthroughs are made possible by the support of donors like American Airlines and its customers and team members. We remain incredibly grateful for American’s continued support of our efforts to end this disease.”

Hope Air and Canada Jetlines partner to provide access to vital medical care for low-income patients

Photo Hope Air

Canadian leisure airline, Canada Jetlines has partnered with Canada’s only national charity providing flights, accommodations, meals, and ground transportation to those in financial need who require travel for medical care far from home. 

Canada Jetlines will support Hope Air operations with free flights for Hope Air’s patients, staff, and volunteers.

“As Hope Air continues to scale our mission to support Canadians with access to care, we recognize the limitations for those travelling out of rural communities. We are proud to have the commitment of Canada Jetlines from day-one of their operations and are grateful that they recognize the importance of supporting Canadians who must travel for vital medical care,” says Mark Rubinstein, Chief Hope Officer at Hope Air.

“Our team is excited to partner with Hope Air to bring vital care to those that require medical attention away from home,” shared Eddy Doyle, CEO of Canada Jetlines. “We understand the importance of community and corporate social responsibility as a national airline. Not only is it critical for us to succeed in our business by successfully serving travellers – we aim to succeed by doing “good” and exerting a positive impact beyond our customer reach.”

Photo Jetlines

Canada Jetlines commenced operations out of its travel hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with its first scheduled route into Calgary International Airport (YYC) on September 22, 2022. The carrier has started with biweekly flights, operating Thursdays and Sundays out of Toronto (YYZ) to Calgary (YYC) from 07:55am -- EST 10:10am MST and returns from Calgary (YYC) to Toronto (YYZ) 11:40am MST – 17:20 EST. Frequency will increase to three flights per week, Thursdays through Sundays, in time for the holidays.

Medical Travel Assistance Program | Hope Air

Aberdeen runway run rasies £40,000

More than 300 runners completed a midnight charity dash at Aberdeen International Airport raising thousands for charity over the weekend.  The runners took to the 3.5km Runway Run on Saturday night.  

Back after a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the popular run sold out within days of tickets going on sale and once again, CHC Helicopters and Aberdeen International Airport partnered up to bring the run to the Dyce terminal for the third year. 

Aberdeen International Airports chosen charities We Too! and Kayleigh’s Wee Stars will benefit from the run along with CHC Helicopters chosen charity Friends of ANCHOR.

More than £40,000 was raised on the night with entertainment and an appearance from the popular Canine Crew Therapets at the event on Saturday night.

CHC Helicopter Captain Ryan Broadhurst, one of the organisers said: “Bringing the run back has been fantastic and to see the support, hard work and fundraising efforts of the participants is humbling. Raising more than £40,000 now means the Aberdeen Runway Run has raised £100,000 over the years. A huge thank you to all at CHC Helicopters and Aberdeen International Airport and volunteers for making such an incredible event.”

East Anglian Air Ambulance celebrates generous support from Norwich Airport

East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has recognised Norwich Airport for its long-standing support with a special plaque celebrating their partnership over the years.

The Airport has been named on the charity’s ‘thank you wall’ at EAAA’s state-of-the-art base at Helimed House, Hangar 14 as a token of appreciation for the services it provides.

Norwich Airport donates free landing fees and charges to the East Anglian Air Ambulance, accounting for more than £75,000 worth of savings to the life-saving charity every year.

With the East Anglian Air Ambulance operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the highly trained crews need to be able to take-off and land around the clock. Norwich Airport supports this by allowing ease of access outside of its normal operating hours and the ability to ‘switch on’ the Airport’s landing lights.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance service has a state-of-the-art base at Norwich Airport and has been located there since 2001.

During that time the EAAA has flown more than 32,000 life-saving missions across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire from the Airport. It delivers highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics by air or car to seriously ill or injured people in the region.

Expeditionary Air Wing Personnel Pull Out All The Stops For UK Charities

Expeditionary Air Wing Personnel Pull Out All The Stops For UK Charities

British Forces personnel deployed across the Middle East have completed a series of challenging events in aid of UK charities.

Whilst on deployment, service personnel serving on Operations SHADER and KIPION have used their precious personal time away from their operational duties to support charities back home in the UK. In the baking hot Middle Eastern sun, military personnel have gone above and beyond to raise money for their chosen charities.

Operation KIPION personnel serving with 902 Expeditionary Air Wing (EAW) based in the Middle East have completed an impressive 902 miles in 7 days for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a UK based military focused charity. To complete this colossal challenge, participants covered the distance by running, walking, rowing, or swimming, in temperatures often exceeding 50 degrees and with high humidity. Sgt Richardson, who is Logistics specialist in the RAF and personally completed an impressive 219Km, said:

“The Challenge really brought everyone at 902 EAW together and it was great to see everyone pushing themselves outside their comfort zone in aid of a great cause”

Hawaiian Airlines Foundation Awards Grant to Heʻeia Nonprofit to Support Food Security

The Hawaiian Airlines Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the cultural, spiritual and traditional practices of the Native Hawaiian community. The grant will fund the construction of a wash and pack facility in Heʻeia that will be used to process crops grown in the Kaneohe region including kalo (taro), ʻulu (breadfruit), ʻuala (sweet potato), and hōʻiʻo (warabi).

“Supporting local agriculture is a critical issue for our economy and the well-being of our communities. Hawaiian Airlines has made bold commitments to purchasing more locally grown products, but we also need to eliminate the obstacles that prevent small farmers from bringing their produce to market,” noted Avi Mannis, chief marketing and communications officer of Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Foundation president.

 

“For many years, our Team Kōkua employee volunteers have helped Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi restore wetlands and farmland. We’ve been impressed with the work the organization has done to advance land stewardship, sustainable agriculture, and community farming. We’re delighted to partner with them in building this community asset that will enable small farmers in the region to pack and distribute their crops,” he added.

Team Kōkua volunteers have participated in Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi workdays since 2011 and recently increased activities to once a month to enhance support of the nonprofit.

 

American Airlines Pushing Cancer Research to New Heights With Fundraising Campaign

American Airlines launches campaign with Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C) and SU2C Ambassador Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore joins American and SU2C to launch this year’s fundraising campaign with video alongside airline team members.

Customers earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for donations to SU2C during two-month campaign.

American Airlines, in collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and Emmy, Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated actress, singer and songwriter Mandy Moore, is launching its annual campaign to raise funds for innovative and life-saving cancer research.

Now through Sept. 30, customers will receive 25 bonus American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for every dollar they donate of $25 or more to Stand Up To Cancer.

Additionally, anyone who uses their American Airlines AAdvantage Mastercard® credit card to contribute between $25 and $10,000, will receive 50 bonus AAdvantage miles per dollar until we reach $1 million donations.

“The outpouring of support from our generous team members and customers has been remarkable in our six-year partnership with Stand Up To Cancer,” said American Airlines Chief Communications Officer Ron DeFeo. “That’s a testament to how passionate we are about Stand Up’s mission to save lives by funding research that has led to groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs in the fight against cancer. It’s a disease that has impacted so many of us and our loved ones.”

Since first joining forces in 2016, American has raised more than $11 million to benefit SU2C through fundraising efforts. In 2019, American debuted a campaign that offered those who donate the chance to honor a loved one by including their name on an Airbus A321 aircraft wrapped in a special SU2C livery.

Air Canada Foundation's 10th Annual Golf Tournament raises over $1 Million

The Air Canada Foundation hosted its 10th annual charity golf tournament this week and successfully raised $ 1,087,609 to support charitable organizations dedicated to the health and well-being of children and youth in Canada.

"This is a milestone year for the Air Canada Foundation as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, and the 10th annual golf tournament, our largest fundraiser of the year. During the past decade, collectively we have helped make a difference in improving children's health and well-being. On behalf of all the children and families the Foundation supports, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Air Canada's partners and others who joined us for this wonderful event," said Priscille LeBlanc, Chair of the Air Canada Foundation. "The funds raised will allow the Foundation to continue its mission of helping kids spread their wings."

"Representing the heart of our organization, the work and mission of the Air Canada Foundation reminds us all of the role we can all take to help Canadian families in need. Despite a very challenging two years during the pandemic, I am very grateful that together, we continue our long history of support in our communities. Thank you to the generosity of our supporters, donors and employee volunteers involved in this year's fundraising golf tournament which enables the Air Canada Foundation to keep making a difference to children and their families," said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer at Air Canada.

easyJet launches its onboard summer collection to support UNICEF’s Ukraine appeal

The airline’s onboard collections by cabin crew mean that customers can help raise vital funds for UNICEF’s Ukraine appeal

In March, easyJet customers raised a record-breaking £616,000 for the appeal in just one month

easyJet and UNICEF’s partnership will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year during which time easyJet customers have raised over £15m, helping to protect millions of children around the world from disease and keep them safe during emergencies

easyJet, Europe’s leading airline, has launched its summer collection onboard, as part of its Change for Good partnership, backing UNICEF’s Ukraine appeal to help support children and families affected by the war in Ukraine.  

The money raised will help UNICEF provide basic services including clean water and sanitation supplies, healthcare, schooling and learning, mental health and psychosocial support and emergency cash assistance.

The onboard collections during flights are administered by easyJet’s cabin crew and allow passengers to make donations in any currency. In March easyJet customers raised a record-breaking £616,000 for the Ukraine appeal, the most ever donated in a single month since the start of the easyJet-UNICEF partnership which began in 2012.

Runway charity run at Luton nets £4000

Congratulations and well done to the 200 people who met up at 3:30am for a special charity run taking place on the runway at Luton Airport.  Those brave people ran up and down the landing strip in order to raise £4000 for the charity partners of the airport 

LLA Operations Director Neil Thompson, who took part in the race, commented: “The runway run is an event that is now firmly established as a milestone in the LLA calendar. There is always so much excitement and enjoyment around this event and we were delighted to welcome so many runners who arrived at dawn to have some fun and raise much-needed funds for these two amazing charities.”

Sarah Cunningham, Community Fundraiser for East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: “Our charity partnership with LLA is helping to raise awareness of our work and is providing vital fundraising support that will enable our airborne doctors and critical care paramedics to continue saving lives. As a charity, we rely almost entirely on public support and the runway run is a fun and creative approach to raising much-needed funds for our life-saving operation in Luton and the surrounding areas.”

Salma Khan, Manager of Luton Foodbank, commented: “A huge well done to London Luton Airport and all the runners who met at the crack of dawn to raise awareness and funds for our charity. We are working hard to eradicate food poverty in Luton and the support provided by LLA and the local community plays an essential role in supporting our efforts.”

JetBlue's 12th annual Soar with Reading kicks off

JetBlue launched this week, its twelfth annual Soar with Reading initiative in Newark, NJ with a kick-off event at Newark’s historic Public Library Main Branch. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne Jr. joined the airline to celebrate its award-winning literacy initiative that tackles the issue of book availability in underserved communities where access to age-appropriate books for children is often limited. Since 2015, JetBlue has taken a creative approach to this issue through its free book vending machine program which previously visited New York City, Detroit, San Francisco, Oakland, Washington, DC, and Fort Lauderdale.

Blue’s five free digital book vending machines are available to visitors throughout the wards of Newark. Each time someone visits a machine, they will have the opportunity to order an assortment of brand new books that will be distributed to them throughout July and August, completely free of charge. The vending machines hold a diverse selection of titles and allows visitors the opportunity to search by various categories including title and author, as well as suggested reading level. To date, JetBlue, through its Soar with Reading initiative, has donated more than $4 million worth of books to children in need.

"For more than a decade, JetBlue has been dedicated to eradicating book inequality through our Soar with Reading Program," said Icema Gibbs, vice president CSR and DEI, JetBlue. “We’re proud to return the popular program to the tristate area this year, landing in Newark, with five digital book vending machines to open more pathways for youth to connect with joys of reading and imagination. We're passionate about giving back to our crewmembers, customers and communities we serve, and look forward to an enriching summer of reading in Newark."