AOPA Working With GA-Based International Aid Organization, Air
Serv
The images and
statistics from the Southeast Asian tsunami have been overwhelming.
As the scope of this tragedy continues to grow, pilots are among
the millions of Americans asking the same question: What can I do
to assist the relief effort? The Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association has received an ever-increasing number of e-mails and
phone calls from members asking for guidance on this subject; some
even suggesting they volunteer to go to Southeast Asia to fly in
the relief effort.
After consultation with numerous aid agencies, AOPA has
determined that, for now, pilots can best help by supporting the
efforts with cash donations.
Consistent with its aviation mission, AOPA has identified an
international, nonprofit humanitarian organization that has been
using a fleet of GA aircraft for more than 20 years to bring badly
needed logistic support, food, supplies – and hope – to
millions of people in some of the harshest environments in the
world. Its staff is currently deployed in some of the areas hardest
hit by the tsunami.
Air Serv International (www.airserv.org) is
listed as an approved agency by the USA Freedom Corps (www.usafreedomcorps.gov/),
the organization identified in public service announcements
featuring former Presidents Bush and Clinton. Air Serv has
historically been funded by a combination of government grants and
tax-deductible private donations.
“Air Serv International is in the midst of assisting in
this disaster,” said AOPA President Phil Boyer. “Theirs
and other aviation efforts are a remarkable example of how GA
airplanes and airports serve as a vital emergency link for people
throughout the world.”
AOPA has established the AOPA Tsunami Fund, a restricted fund
dedicated to the tsunami relief effort, with Air Serv
International. “To stretch our limited member resources, the
association pledges up to $25,000 to match member contributions in
this time of worldwide support for the millions of tsunami
victims,” Boyer stated. “This means every dollar from
an AOPA member will be matched by the association, up to our
$25,000 pledge.”
Members who wish to contribute to this aviation charity using
the Internet can go to www.airserv.org/giveagift.html
to make their tax-deductible donations. Members and others may also
pay by check. The check should be made out to “Air Serv
International” and mailed to: 6583 Merchant Place, Suite 100,
Warrenton, VA 20187. Please be sure to write your AOPA membership
number (or simply “AOPA” for non-members) on the check
but do not send your check to AOPA as we cannot accept it.
Air Serv provides aviation services to the international
humanitarian community and direct aid during the most desperate
crisis situations in the world. It is an outstanding example of
what GA can do to serve people wherever and whenever they are in
need. “What a lot of people don’t realize,” noted
Boyer, “is that, in many disasters, the first responders are
often GA aircraft and airports. Anyone who’s been taken to a
hospital in an air ambulance will never take GA for
granted.”
Leading the way for Air Serv is their International Chief Pilot,
Kurt Neuenschwander (AOPA #00738136). Neuenschwander originally
joined AOPA in 1980. In the meantime he has logged thousands of
hours for Air Serv, flying in the left seat of almost every plane
in their fleet, usually to some of the most hostile environments in
the world. “It’s the ultimate flight school,” he
noted.
In speaking earlier this week with Air Serv CEO Stuart Willcuts,
Boyer learned that Air Serv was one of the first organizations on
site after the devastation of the tsunami. Calling from Sri Lanka,
one of two theaters of operation for Air Serv, Willcuts described
how Air Serv has been transporting top government and humanitarian
agency personnel from USAID, World Vision, Save the Children, and
Care. “These are the people that get the infrastructure back
up and running,” Willcuts explained. “Food, water,
medicine, sanitation—every effort begins with the
basics.”
“Remember,” Boyer emphasized, “our government
has ruled that any tsunami-specific donation made before January 31
of this year can be applied to your 2004 taxes. I know, personally,
this gave me extra incentive to donate beyond my initial December
gift as this tragedy further unfolds. Plus, AOPA will be matching
all member donations up to $25,000.” In keeping with Air Serv
policy and AOPA’s request, members’ names and personal
information will not be used by Air Serv or given to any third
party.