Challenge Air for Kids and Friends is a Dallas-based children’s nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer motivational, inspirational and life-changing experiences to children/youth with special needs through a unique and exciting aviation program. Challenge Air hosts well-organized, community-driven programs, called “Fly Days,” where, on average, 125 children with special needs, 150 ground crew volunteers and 20 volunteer pilots come together to provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for mentally and physically disabled and seriously ill children and their families. This is the gift of flight.
The knowledge that results from a “Fly Day” experience often manifests itself into a passion to learn more, and to push themselves farther than ever before. Challenge Air participants are given the tools for enriching, expanding and strengthening their identities, and their lives are forever changed. This exhilarating experience goes beyond the “Fly Day” as it leaves our participants with a lifetime connection – to each other, to their future, to hope.
Thousands of children with special needs have found new hope through the Challenge Air experience since its inception in 1993. There are still, however, more that need to be reached. Of the 53.9 million school-aged children (aged 5-17) in the US population, about 2.8 million (5.2 percent) were reported to have a disability. Statistics also show there are 4,373,967 children in the state of Texas with some type of disability - having vision, hearing, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care or independent living difficulty. (Statistics taken from the United States Bureau of Census, 2010).
Our Needs
We are always in need of monetary donations to get our Fly Day events off the ground, literally. You can change the way a child sees their disability by lifting their spirits and encouraging them to believe and dream. All it takes is a donation. Big or small--every little bit helps, and donating time is just as important. Without the generosity of our volunteers, pilots, agencies, and corporate sponsors, our Fly Days would not be successful.
You have the option to donate money or time to a myriad of organizations, but do you ever get the opportunity to see the impact your contribution makes? At Challenge Air, you see where your time and money goes immediately and feel the appreciation of the lives you helped change. Donating to this organization makes an impact on the local community in a big way. The lives of children, families and volunteers are forever changed. Make the most of your charity by giving to Challenge Air today.