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Why we need your help
There is no doubt we could not accomplish our mission without the generous in-kind donation of our pilot members. However, there are services and products that must be bought that are never free. Pilots and planes need airports, coordination and full-time administration — all of which takes time and money.
Remember, too, that Angel Flight Southeast serves all of Florida with a estimated population of 17.6 million residents, incurring significant expenses.
Mission Operations — This is the purest form of our service delivery - linking up a patient in need with a pilot willing to donate their time and aircraft. It is primarily people, computers and communication systems that make it happen. That takes money.
Rainy-Day Fund — We occasionally must purchase commercial airline tickets (always at a discounted rate) due to bad weather and other logistical problems, or to cover lodging expenses for a stranded patient when we are unable to return them home as scheduled. That takes money.
National Computer Database — AFSE participates in the nationwide network known as Air Charity Network. A national web-based mission coordination database is being developed which will greatly improve efficiencies and substantially reduce costs. While this is a national effort, we must fund our share. That takes money.
Pilots — In order to ensure that no patient is denied our service due to lack of an available pilot, and to keep up with growing demand, we must continually increase our pilot membership base within Florida, our service area. That takes time.
Earth Angels — We could not accomplish our mission without the dedication and support of our ground support volunteers, "Earth Angels." They assist with our toll-free hotlines, public speaking, staffing the operations center, working special events, mission coordination and computer input.
The largest expenses associated with this program are advertising and promotion, training programs, communications and volunteer recognition. All of that takes time . . . and money.
Public Education — A great amount of our resources focus on increasing awareness of our unique form of community service. This program covers costs associated with marketing and public relations, including printing materials and brochures, direct mailing, and a campaign of TV and Radio Public Service Announcements. That takes money.
Wing Development — In order to reach people in their local communities, we need a local presence. We have embarked on a program that develops local Wings to focus on increasing awareness, developing membership and raising funds on a local basis. Headquarters will continue to provide mission coordination, administration and training from a centralized location. Again . . . time and money!
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