Volunteer Recognition

Volunteers are truly the heart of Angel Flight and we feel it is important to recognize generous individuals for "giving hope wings.

"Shirt Off Our Back" Program

This program awards volunteers with an "earned" polo shirt free of charge designed exclusively for:

Pilots who have flown at least one mission
Volunteers who have given at least 10 hours of time
Board Directors and Staff

Additional official shirts may be purchased for $25 by those individuals listed above only. All other Angel Flight Central clothing may be purchased by the general public.

WING Leaders are responsible for notifying the staff of non-pilot individuals within their WING who have met the qualifications required to earn their shirt.

Mission Milestone/Volunteer Hour Lapel Pins

Angel Flight lapel pins are earned when non-pilot volunteers complete 100 hours of documented service and when pilots fly their fifth Angel Flight mission. As pilots reach the additional mission milestones of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 missions, new number bars are awarded to replace the last one they received.

Local WING Awards

Each year staff supports WING Leaders who want to award these and any other awards to their local volunteers in the fall preceding HEROES of the HEART. Some of these award winners are considered for regional awards as appropriate.

WING Pilot of the Year
WING Earth Angel of the Year
WING Pilot Recruitment and Activities
WING Passenger and Community Awareness Volunteer of the Year
WING Public Relation Volunteer of the Year
WING Friend-Raiser of the Year
WING Ambassador of the Year
Others as appropriate

Regional Volunteer Recognition

Regional Awards are presented to volunteers at the annual HEROES of the HEART Celebration and in WINGSPAN, Angel Flight Central's newsletter. Awards may include:

Golden Eagle Award (overall volunteer of the year)
Pilot of the Year
Pilot Mission Milestone Awards (# of missions flown)
WING Leadership Award
Excellence in Outreach Activities
Missions Team Member of the Year
Administrative Volunteer of the Year
Special Recognition (as appropriate)

Pilot of the Year Award Criteria:

Evidenced an extraordinary willingness to serve
Maintained a positive attitude about the Angel Flight program
Was an effective spokesperson and advocate for Angel Flight
Was available for flights, even on short notice, or under unusual circumstances, and at times even at personal sacrifice
Flew a significant number of Angel Flight missions
Flew a significant number of miles on Angel Flight missions
Made contributions to the Angel Flight program beyond their piloting activity
Was supportive of the entire spectrum of charitable aviation

Previous Pilot of the Year Recipients:

2007: Phil Love
2006: Michele Stauffer
2005: Gus Rowell
2004: Lewis Young
2003: Greg Kaaz
2002: Lee Mook
2001: Dusty Sarazan
2000: Jim Zerkel and Russ Zerkel
1999: Bob Zeitinger
1998: Stan Guillaume and Bob Sailors
1997: Ty Carter
1996: Steve Carter

Golden Eagle Society
These volunteers have cumulatively:

flown at least 100 missions
volunteered at least 1,000 non-pilot hours
pledged and/or given at least $100,000
received the annual Golden Eagle Award

Golden Eagle Society - Platinum Member
Platinum Members of the Golden Eagle Society, in addition to meeting the criteria above, have also flown 400 or more AFC missions.

New members of this dedicated and generous group are recognized at the annual HEROES of the HEART Celebration and in WINGSPAN, Angel Flight Central's newsletter.