Pilots For Kids For Kids

During the last two weeks, I accompanied the Indianapolis Pilots for Kids crewmembers to local schools. The schools we visited serve low-income neighborhoods and local pilots from many different airlines came together to spread holiday joy to the children.

The Squishmallows were a big hit with the kids this year!

I was able to read to each class and then donated some of my books for future use by the teachers. In one school we visited, the classrooms already had my book, “Which Came First?” from last year and the teacher recognized my name.

I loved meeting all the teachers and seeing their dedication to their students!

For the last nine years, I’ve had the privilege of being a part of these incredible events. For a few days each December, I get to hang out with a cool group of pilots and read to and visit with children.

One of my favorite moments this year was after I read “Love Hearts” to a class, and a little girl came up to me and said, “I liked your book. That dog in the story loves everything!”

That dog in the story loves everything!

My involvement started in 2017, when I was invited by a neighbor who is a pilot for Southwest Airlines, to be a part of the Dallas Pilots for Kids annual hospital visits. Paul asked if I would like to go with them to visit with the children and pass out copies of my books. The pilots were visiting several hospitals that year and it was my honor to be included in the hospital visits.

After the first visit, I was so hooked that I joined Pilots for Kids. Seeing the wonder and excitement on the children’s faces was incredible as they got to visit with uniformed pilots and received toys, giant balloons, captain hats and wings, and books. The visits quickly became my favorite events each year.

My first year with Pilots For Kids.

In addition to membership fees, the pilots use funds raised from golf tournaments and other fundraisers to buy the fun items they pass out to children each December.

When I moved from Texas to Indiana in 2024, I was sad that I would no longer get to be a part of their wonderful events. However, the Dallas pilots talked with the Indianapolis pilots, and I was delighted to be invited to continue the visits with the Indianapolis group. Last year, I joined them in a visit to a children’s hospital, and this year I had the pleasure of visiting several schools in Indianapolis with them. I cannot say enough good things about this organization and the work they do. Being a part of it has left a permanent imprint on my heart.

The flying lessons the pilots gave were great fun for the kids…and to watch!

Pilots for Kids is an international, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 1983 by airline crew members who wanted to address the needs of hospitalized children during the holidays as well as other times of the year. In addition to hospitals, pilots visit children’s shelters, orphanages, halfway houses, and schools. They also buy medical equipment such as hospital beds and wheelchairs for children who need them. Membership is just $25 per year and 100% of your money is used to buy gifts for children.

Here is the website if you would like to know more about Pilots for Kids or would like to support the work they do: https://www.pilotsforkids.org/

Thank you, Paul, for inviting me to be a part of Pilots For Kids all those years ago!