Money Raised During National Model Aviation Day Celebrations Nationwide

Through National Model Aviation Day celebrations across the country, and the efforts of modelers at approximately 235 AMA chartered clubs, the Academy of Model Aeronautics raised $92,000 to support Wounded Warrior Project. An oversize check was presented to Warrior Speak representative Kevin Shaeffer on January 9, 2016, during AMA Expo, held in Ontario, CA. AMA clubs have contributed a total of $268,000 to Wounded Warrior Project since 2013.

National Model Aviation Day was established in 2013 to celebrate the history, hobby, and sport of model aviation. AMA clubs were asked to conduct public events with a focus on model aviation education, camaraderie, and community support. More than 230 AMA clubs across the country hosted events and fundraisers and invited their communities to learn more about the growing hobby.
 
“The continued success of National Model Aviation Day has been very impressive,” said AMA President and AMA Foundation Board member Bob Brown. “AMA is proud to support Wounded Warrior Project and other charities through this event. Our clubs worked hard to promote the hobby and to make this possible.”
 
A substantial percentage of AMA members have served in the military and now help provide programs for other veterans and active duty personnel at their local flying fields. For the third consecutive year, the AMA Foundation selected Wounded Warrior Project as the charity to support as part of its national celebration. This nonprofit was selected because its programming focuses on reintroducing veterans to activities that improve their quality of life. Wounded Warrior Project also empowers veterans, and increases public awareness of and enlists support for injured service members. An additional $24,063 was raised by AMA clubs for other community, military, and service organizations.
 
Several organizations have helped the AMA Foundation in its efforts to celebrate National Model Aviation Day. Thank you to 2015 National Model Aviation Day platinum sponsors HobbyKing, Hobbico, Horizon Hobby, and Ready Made RC. AMA would also like to thank its gold-level sponsors, Hostetler’s Plans, Volaré Products, Tower Hobbies, and RCGroups.com.
 
The Academy of Model Aeronautics has a long and successful history of advocating for model aviation pilots’ right to fly; encouraging Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)-based education related to model aviation principles; and encouraging competition that abides by the AMA’s safety guidelines. National Model Aviation Day celebrates these things and a hobby that has become a passion for more than 187,000 AMA members across the country.
 
This year’s National Model Aviation Day will be celebrated on August 13, 2016.

(Source: AMA news release. Image from AMA Facebook page)

FMI: http://nationalmodelaviationday.org