Air Show Raises Money For Youth Organizations In Georgia's Chattahoochee Valley

The 2017 edition of the Thunder in the Valley Air Show held at Columbus Airport (KCSG) in Columbus, GA in April raised some $50,000 for local youth charities in the region. The board of the organization will meet September 14 to determine how the money will be divided among the deserving charities.

According to a news release, the show has already made $14,800 in contributions as tickets were donated to youth groups and trainees from Fort Benning, enabling soldiers and underprivileged to experience the air show and bringing the total gift to $64,800. Contributions and tickets were donated to nine youth groups and 880 soldiers.

“Twenty years of giving sums it up best. The Thunder in the Valley Air Show continues to be a sustaining supporter of area youth charities. The amount of donations is a reflection of the patronage by the community and air show fans alike. Despite various setbacks such as weather cancellations and sequestration over the years, the community stuck with us and the air show has persevered. Fortunately, we’ve never missed a year of funding area youth organizations. The planning committee looks forward to organizing 20 more years of thrilling air shows,” event coordinator Phaedra Childers said in the release.

Receiving a check will be the Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, Chattahoochee Council Boy Scouts of America, Columbus Ironclad Division, DeMolays International-Columbus Chapter, Fort Benning Santa’s Castle, Jeeah’s Hope, L10:27, May Institute, Storybook Farm and Young Eagles-EAA Chapter 677.

The air show began in 1997 as a local fly-in for aviation enthusiasts and has grown to a two-day community event that averages about 20,000 spectators. The mission of the air show is to raise funds for youth organizations throughout the Chattahoochee Valley. It is a nonprofit event managed and operated by more than 300 volunteers each year.

The 2018 event is planned for April 7-8.

(Source: Columbus, GA Ledger Enquirer. Image from Facebook)

FMI: www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article169139587.html