About Pilots For Kids
What is Pilots For Kids?
Pilots For Kids is an international, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping hospitalized children.
When did we start?
Our organization was founded in 1983 by airline crewmembers who wanted to address the needs of hospitalized children.
What do we do?
Our organization’s primary activity is visiting with and distributing toys to hospitalized children. Our visits occur throughout the year, although the majority of our visits are during the December holidays. In addition to hospitals, our members visit children’s shelters, orphanages, halfway houses, and other facilities with needy children. Every year we visit thousands of children.
What percentage of your donations go to the children?
100%. All of the donations raised by crewmembers are spent by those crewmembers on items for the children. Besides toys, our members have purchased other needed items, such as, wheelchairs, special hospital beds and other special equipment. Because of varying situations, we allow our members to tailor their purchases to the children’s needs.
How is Pilots For Kids funded?
Annual membership dues cover the administrative costs of our organization. The $15 membership dues are collected in April. There are no paid members, as all of our members are volunteers.
Are we an IRS approved organization?
Yes. Pilots For Kids is a 501 (c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible.
How can you help?
As a Pilots For Kids member, you will receive a lapel pin, membership card, flight case decal, and our bi-annual newsletter. Most importantly, however, you will have the opportunity to help hospitalized children.
Since it’s inception,The CAUSE Foundation® has helped more than 1,000 United Airlines Flight Attendants. The grants rewarded during that time equal more than 5.2 million dollars, donated by United Flight Attendants. We have written $45,000 in scholarships and donated $40,000 in research grants to other 501(c)3’s. Special fundraising generated more than $77,000 to aid the families of the UA Flight Attendants lost on September 11, 2001. CAUSE has donated $7,500 to the AFA Relief Fund in order to help the UA Flight Attendants affected by the earthquake in Japan and Hurricane Sandy on the eastern coast of the United States.
Our administrative costs are only 7%!
The CAUSE Foundation® is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by Monica Leonard, a currently retired United Airlines Flight Attendant. Funds are distributed through an application process to United Airlines Flight Attendants who are unable to work due to injury, illness or disability. This grant is intended as a short-term bridge until other financial arrangements are in place and covers only basic living expenses.
CAUSE also administers The CAUSE Foundation®/Berni Schafer Memorial Scholarship which benefits the children of deceased United Airlines Flight Attendants in their pursuit of higher education.
CAUSE is an acronym standing for Concerned Attendants for a United Support Effort.