Reaches Out to Help Kids In EAA Chapter 534’s Aviation Youth Program

In an unusual move, the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1236 donated some of their hard-earned funds to a fellow EAA Chapter 534 at Leesburg International Airport in Leesburg FL, to support their Aviation Youth Program.

Bob Boyer, president of EAA chapter 1236, handed over a check for $500 to EAA Chapter 534’s president, Joel Hargis, during a meeting on Feb.23. Chapter 1236 meets at Loves Landing in Weirsdale FL, a fly-in community, several miles north of the Leesburg, FL. Their membership is made up of members from Loves Landing, and other nearby communities.

Chapter 1236 raises money by hosting fly-ins during the year to support their social functions, but they do not have a Young Eagle or Aviation Youth program. However, they understand the need to attract kids to the wonders of flight and the fun they might have learning to build and repair airplanes. This kind of exposure at an early age may spark an interest that would cause a young person to become a private pilot or seek out an aviation related career later in their lives.

"Our chapter wanted to support the activities of a chapter that was working hard to bring young people into the aviation field through youth-oriented activities and EAA Chapter 534 epitomizes that effort," Boyer said.

EAA Chapter 534 gratefully accepted the donation from Chapter 1236 and will put it to good use with their Aviation Youth program.   

(Image provided with EAA Chapter 534 news release. [L-R] Joel Hargis, Bob Boyer)

FMI: eaachapter534.org