Lesia Ball and her son, James Ball (14)-Orlando arrivals and Give Kids The World Village
This was our first year to volunteer and despite all of the time we spent in the airport trying to get to Orlando and home, James asked me if we were going to do this again next year. Saturday evening he told me, "I really want to come back next year and would like to bring Jordan (his cousin). I want her to see how good we have it and how lucky we are." He made me very proud!
I lost my mother three years ago to colon cancer. Before she got too sick to travel, my aunts made one of her wishes come true. They took her on an airplane for the first time and they flew to Las Vegas. I will never forget what this did for her, and she was an adult. I told my aunts that WishFlight was my way of "paying it forward." I hope that my contribution to WishFlight has made these children as happy as the wish that was given to my mother. I dedicated my time this year to my mother, Norma Sue Burd!
Jeanette Fortune-Orlando arrivals Straight from the HeAArt !!
My name is Jeanette Fortune and I am a proud employee of American Airlines/Premium Services/headquarters, which I have served as a customer service representative for eight years. I have had the opportunity to assist in many charitable events, but this ranks high above the others.
My grandson, Sekou Brown, eight -years-old from Oklahoma City joined me in Dallas on our journey to Orlando for this wonderful event. I tried to prepare him for what to expect beforehand, but how do you explain to an 8-year-old what to expect when you are not sure yourself? So I just told him to be on his best behavior. It comes natural to him to have fun and share the love in his heart and he did just that.
He gave all the kids and family members a big high five when they deplaned with this enormous smile on his face as he held a sign that said, "Welcome to Disneyworld." The sign was made by other 3rd graders from elementary schools in Arlington, TX. I believe seeing another child somehow made a difference on the WishFlight recipients.
Sekou told me later, this was "fun'er" than going to Chuckie Cheese - his favorite place in the world. Before the families got to Orlando, we had decorated the Orlando American AirlinesTerminal with balloons, signs, streamers, large lollipop stands and colored CandyLand footblocks. Prissy and John-John, the clowns, were a special treat for the kids and others that passed through the airport. One of the clowns showed Sekou how to make balloon characters for everyone. Sekou said this was going to be his newfound career on the side.
To share in others' lives, to bring the joy and excitement we saw on the kids, their family members, the volunteers and those in the airport faces, made me know that this was Something mAAgic for us all. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to be a small part of something big as this. We look forward to volunteering again and again!
Richard Vaughan-Orlando arrivals and Give Kids The World Village
This is WishFlight for me ... this is American Airlines and what we do best - all of the time. It's difficult to say a "few" words when one has such a humbling experience such as this. Each year is just a little different because we do everything better each time. It's kind of hard to determine if WishFlight made American Airlines or American Airlines made WishFlight, but for sure we hold the hearts of countless little (and big) dreamers squarely in the palm of our hands. I say this, anyone who participates just once in this great event will forever be tied to it because the "families" we touch will forever be ours and thus help us to push our personal difficulties aside and make our own personal lives even more meaningful. You know, I've never seen some of our crew members do dance steps as they did coming off the aircraft.....they could rival James Brown! See ya next year!!!
Todd Randolph-Orlando arrivals and Give Kids The World Village
I've wanted to participate in WishFlight for years but for various reasons never did. This year, all the flights to Orlando were completely booked but I had told myself that no matter what it took, I I was going to participate! The day prior to Wishflight I helped in an all-night software implementation, went home, got a few hours of sleep, and hit the road late that afternoon - yes, I drove from Dallas/Fort Worth to Orlando. I arrived midday on Friday and went straight to the airport to help decorate the gate areas and greet the kids on the incoming flights. I also volunteered at GKTW on Saturday morning and evening.
Needless to say, I was exhausted from work and the drive down, but that was nothing compared to what these children were dealing with. That knowledge made it easy to get my 2nd wind and give whatever help I could to make even just a few days brighter for these special kids. I plan to participate next year and would do the same all over again.
Jackie Taylor-Wells
The reason I volunteer is because I feel we all should give back, and this is such a wonderful event. I feel I should be thanking the families and GKTW Village for allowing me to be a part of this event - just being able to bring a smile to the faces of the families and to know you make a difference in their lives no matter how small. This alone will keep me coming back for years to come. This experience has enriched my life more than words can ever describe, and I am truly grateful and thankful for it.
Brian Ferreira-Orlando arrivals and Give Kids The World Village
It was my first time as a WishFlight volunteer. It was so much fun. It was like being behind the scenes at Disney World and making dreams come true. I suggest if you haven't volunteered, you should consider it. The smiles on the children's faces is what made it all worth it.
JR Ramos
I went for the first time last year and I was hooked. It was great to work with energetic excited people around the company who volunteer their own time and resources to help. The smiles from the kids make the whole trip worth it!
Mario Jimenez-Give Kids The World Village Volunteer
Thanks for letting me be a part of those children's lives, if only for a moment. I joined American Advocates soon after being hired last December. I then received an email about the Wish Enhancements at Dallas/Fort Worth, WishFlight and about GKTW Village. I went to a couple of Wish Enhancements and the smiles on the kid's faces when they saw the balloons and the clowns waiting for them at the gate were priceless. I had to stop thinking about their health and simply see a child having fun in order to hold back the tears. My experience at GKTW Village was similar, even though they face many health challenges and a difficult life, for that day the children and their families enjoyed themselves and did not think about their problems, that is why I volunteered. It feels great to be part of a team that cares about others, particularly children, as this world is theirs.
Thanks for making it possible.
Krista Parrish-Wishflight volunteer
I just want to say it was a great experience for me to see the smiles and laughter of the children and to be larger part of the American Airlines/Eagle team. By coming together we helped make a family's life more memorable. I know I'll definitely be there next year and I can't wait for more memories!!!
Sonja Carabello
Well, I just want to share that I am a 9/11 survivor... I was there and experienced if first hand personally. Since then I have retired as a detective from the NYCPD and made a commitment to myself to help others because I was grateful to be here today. My nieces never experienced tragedy but they had a chance to see first hand how lucky they are.
They went back and told their friends how wonderful these children are and how gratifying the experience is. It also felt good when other volunteers came to me and asked me "Are those your kids?" and I stated, "No, they are rentals - They are are my nieces. I have to return them back to their mother when we get back." and they said "Wow!!! They really love what they are doing!!!" My nieces gave more than what I expected....without me even asking!!!
Karen Dunlevy -Family Escort and Give Kids The World Village Volunteer
From the moment I meet Darius and his family until their return at the airport on Thursday I knew I was in for one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Betty Ashcraft, Tracy Eversole and the rest of the crew at American Eagle, along with the other twenty-five (or so) volunteers from the Corcoran airport overwhelmed me with their show of support for this wonderful family. I can not begin to express the feeling that I felt when Darius came through security and a "sea" of American Airlines employee's chanted his name as he boarded his flight. The reception in Dallas/Fort Worth was amazing and Give Kids the World was overflowing with a feeling of "fun". This was and is truly a team effort from beginning to end....once again thanks to you (Tracy Knoop) and your team for a job well done!
Barbara Shaw
I became involved with the Something mAAgic Foundation® earlier this year as I was interested in doing volunteer work for an organization who dealt with children.
Working on the WishFlight 2006 was an incredible experience. From the festivities at the terminal in MCO to the celebration at Give Kids the World Village®, it was a lot of fun and such a memorable time. Knowing that I played a small role in helping bring a smile to the faces of these beautiful chidren was truly rewarding.
It was wonderful to see how all of the American Airlines employees, their families and friends, joined together as a team to help make this all happen. I came away from this weekend knowing that I will continue to support this terrific organization for years to come.
Holly Riney -Family Escort and Give Kids the World Party
This was my (our) first year with "WishFlight" - and we will definitely be back next year!!! I had heard such positive things from past "WishFlight" volunteers - and when the information came up in Jetnet - my daughter, Sarah, and I signed up. The experience is one we will NEVER forget. Working with Bianca and her family as their escort was truly a gift! On "WishFlight" and at GKTW there is no illness - there is no sadness. Only the joy, anticipation and, most of all, the smiles of these wonderful kids. We brought two friends along with us -- and all four of us will be back for "WishFlight 2007".
Laurie Barragan -Orlando arrivals and Give Kids the World
This was my second year volunteering and I had no idea when I signed up in Jetnet last year how rewarding it would be...from the arrivals all day on Friday to the party Saturday night it is truly a magical experience! After meeting my first wish child and their family last year and seeing them light up with a big smile just because we were standing there with decorations clapping and cheering - my heart just melted - I was hooked and I new this would now be an annual event for me.
There is a quote by Winston Churchill that is inlaid in the tile of the pool area at the village - "We make a living by what we get. We make a life out of what we give."
I believe those words truly capture the feelings and motivation for all the volunteers with Something mAAgic.
Thanks for letting me be a part of the magic and I look forward to many years to come!
Lupe Bustamante-Orlando arrivals and Give Kids the World
Words cannot explain the emotions I feel each and every time I see a Wish child and their family enjoying and participating in our celebration of them. Just knowing that I can in someway assist in a child's Dream is all that I need.
Krista Leap -Orlando arrivals and Give Kids the World
This was my third year volunteering for WishFlight and every year brings new experiences and joy. It was very gratifying to not only see how excited the children were, but to see smiles on the parent's faces. There was one little boy at the party at Give Kids the World Village that didn't stop smiling for the entire four hours he was there. I know that he and his family had a wonderful time and that's what makes it worthwhile.
Parrish Campbell
The best part about participating in WishFlight is just to see everyone cheering them [the kids] on. The kid's faces light up and it brings tears to your eyes.
To be a part of this is so rewarding.
It's so emotional.
Allison Tittmann
The smiles on the faces of the parents is so rewarding.
Favorite memory -
Trinidad hugged my leg when the crowd was cheering.
I keep coming back because no child deserves to have one last wish.
Sarah Houston
I have gone through a major life event that has inspired me to become more involved with volunteer work.
The environment is so uplifting and the people who are volunteering have very big hearts.
Shelly Scoggins
It's so much fun. You think you'll be sad but it's amazing - everyone gets into the spirit. Even the other passengers.
Favorite memory : There was a delicate little girl from Honolulu, wheeling around with a tiara, feather boa and doing a celebrity wave to the crowd.
It means a lot to the parents. You're making all their children feel important.
Pat Gase
My 81-year-old mother had more fun than my kids.
It's so uplifting and memorable.
If you volunteer once, you're hooked.