As you can imagine, being a Kiwi is great
fun. But we're serious too, serious about helping others. Philanthropy,
in fact, is one of our main objectives. The Kiwi Club has been involved
in charitable work, both locally and nationally, since its 1952 beginning.
Several years ago, The Kiwi Club chose
to support the Wings Foundation as its national endeavor. To date, our
contributions to Wings have exceeded $50,000.
Because of the background of our membership,
our relationship with Wings is a special one. The Wings Foundation was
established to provide urgent and critical financial support to American
Airlines flight attendants who find themselves in need due to illness,
disability, or tragic circumstance. In many cases, recipients of Wings
assistance have used funds for such basic needs as food, housing, and medicine.
[Click to Enlarge]
Through its involvement with Wings,
The Kiwi Club is making a positive difference in the lives of many. We
are proud to assist this organization. It is administered by American Airlines
flight attendant volunteers and virtually all proceeds are distributed
to those in need - a remarkable achievement.
We are united in our efforts to support
American Airlines flight attendants through our involvement with the Wings
Foundation.
'GOOD MORNING AMERICA'
ARTICLE, March, 2006:
AA
not only has incredible active employees dedicated to the company and to helping
in the community through various volunteer activities, but also FORMER
employees! This group of KIWIS continue to share their love for their former
profession and fellow flight attendants by volunteering to assist WINGS in
generating money to assist those in need.
“Here is another
side of our airline family the public doesn't see. Many of these employees work
their days off to contribute to fellow employees in need. They also make
regular contributions directly to WINGS through payroll deductions. On a broader
scope, they voluntarily recycle cans from their flights to help
humanity....victims of KATRINA are their latest cause. They collect change from
international flights to help the children of third world countries.”
- Devi Bellows, former AA flight attendant and Service Manager.
RETIREES SHARE
LOVE FOR AA WITH CURRENT EMPLOYEES
The
KIWIS, an organization of current and retired American
Airlines Flight Attendants, recently held their "Wings of
Love" event, raising money to assist on-line American
Airlines flight attendants in financial need due to
catastrophic illness, injury or loss. The event featured
both silent and live auctions, but clearly the hit of the
event was a fashion show of vintage uniforms modeled by the
retired flight attendants who wore them when flying for AA
or Air Cal. The event generated
$11,000 for The Wings Foundation, a non-profit organization
formed and managed by American Airlines flight attendants.
“In
late last year, our group elected to host this event for our LAX based "AA
sisters and brothers" in need of financial aid. To my knowledge, this is the
first time retired employees have given a fundraiser for current employees.” -
Devi Bellows,
Chairperson and retired American Airlines Flight Service Manager for the Orange
County/Long Beach KIWI Chapter. The
WINGS OF LOVE event was held on February 15 at the Mesa Verde Country Club in
Costa Mesa, California had a sell out crowd!!
“Here is another side of our airline family the
public doesn't see. Many of these employees work their days off to contribute
to fellow employees in need. They also make regular contributions directly to
WINGS through payroll deductions. On a broader scope, they voluntarily recycle
cans from their flights to help humanity....victims of KATRINA are their latest
cause. They collect change from international
flights to help the children of third world countries.”
As a
gesture of goodwill to raise money for their own employees, the
American Airlines Sales Promotion Dept. generously donated 2 First
Class Tickets to anywhere in the 48 States, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda
and the Caribbean. Numerous local businesses contributed to the
function as well.
"WINGS
OF LOVE" included silent and live auctions, numerous raffle
items, a fashion show consisting of beautiful clothing donated by our
members and Vintage AA and Air Cal Uniforms modeled by the flight
attendants who wore them. Babs Camarata, American Airlines F/A
Class of 1940 was and honored at the event.
