December , 2011

Pilots for Patients, a public charity pursuant to Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue code, carries out its mission through the unique collaboration of volunteer pilots, who provide the free air transportation, and patrons, who donate money to support its operations. This special partnership between pilots and patrons has enabled over 1,000 medically necessary missions in three and one-half years! We are very proud to know that we are making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors, many of whom, without our help, would have no other options but to sit at home and await their destiny.

With the ever increasing demand for our services, we will have to budget more funds for pilot recruitment as well as management and coordination of so many missions. We need your help! Please consider making a gift to Pilots for Patients that is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Gifts may be made in cash as well as other types of assets such as stock, bonds, life insurance policies, IRA and 401(k) beneficiary designations, and bequests. An example would be the Tax-free Charitable IRA Distributions which has been extended until 12/31/11. It is an opportunity for individuals age 70 ½ or older to distribute up to $100,000 from their traditional IRAs without having to pay taxes on the distribution. The distributions also could be applied against the annual required minimum distributions. The distribution must be made payable directly to a "qualified charity" and we should be qualified. >>more

October 15, 2011

Pilots for Patients held the 3rd annual Awards Luncheon in Monroe Saturday, October 15 2011.

The event was attended by pilots, patients, patrons as well as staff and board members. They all had a great day of fellowship, recognition and wonderful food provided by The Warehouse No. 1.

One of the awards given was Pilot of the Year and longest mission in 2011 - Don Imhoff from Baton Rouge. Other awards included: longest mission in 2010 - Mac McKenzie, (Monroe, LA) 100 mission pins - Philip Thomas and Andy Barham, (Monroe, LA and Oak Ridge, LA respectively), and longest single leg mission in 2011 and 50 mission leather jacket - Philip Coyne (Clinton, LA). Perpetual plaques are given to pilots when they reach 10 missions. A plate is also given to them at the end of the year to put on the plaque showing the missions flown in that year. Plaques were presented to the following pilots: Florence Bethard (our only female pilot .. Coushatta, LA), and Michael Clay (Monroe). Pilots not present will be given theirs: Bradley Jones (Monroe), Riaz Siddiqi (Houston), Marty King (Houston), Dr. Ralph Abraham (Mangham, LA) and Edwards Barham (Oak Ridge, LA). Special thank you plaques were given to The Jeffrey Wooden Memorial Foundation, Wish I Could of Northeast Louisiana, and Randy Russell for their financial contribution to Pilots for Patients.

Thank you awards were also presented to Miss Louisiana and Miss America hopeful Hope Anderson, Director Sharon Thomas, Mission Coordinator Beth Stone, and webmaster Rickey Sewell for their dedicated contributions to Pilots for Patients.

Thank you to everyone who made this event so successful.

June 25, 2011

Hope Anderson crowned Miss Louisiana 2011

Miss Louisiana 2011 Hope Anderson to Announce her Official Platform as Miss Louisiana
MONROE, LA, July 22, 2011 - Recently crowned Miss Louisiana 2011 Hope Anderson, a 2010 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe will kick off her year of service and announce her official platform as Miss Louisiana, Pilots for Patients, on Wednesday, July 27th at 11:00 am at the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. This special announcement is in conjunction with Pilots for Patients celebration of their 1,000th Mission. Special guests at the event include First Lady Supriya Jindal and many others. >>more

July 25, 2011

Lenece Laseter arrived at the Monroe Air Center after Pilots for Patients flew her from M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas where she had chemotherapy on Monday.

The flight was Pilots for Patients 1,000th mission.
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Philip Thomas, president of Pilots for Patients, center, accepts a plaque from the State of Louisiana honoring their 1,0000th mission during a celebration on Wednesday at the Chennault Military Museum.

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Several public officials came out in support of the organization's landmark flight, including Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo.

"I can't say enough about the work that you've done," he said as he addressed the organization's members. "Any time that you do one kind act, it's really good, but when you do a thousand, that's a blessing from God and we appreciate that."

Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, also said he was happy to show his support for the organization.

"This is not about the government at all "» This is just people loving people and that's what I think it is all about in northeast Louisiana," he said. "I found that after talking to pilots, they do it because they love the patients and the families that they are helping."

Miss Louisiana 2011 Hope Anderson took the opportunity to announce Pilots for Patients as her official platform.

Anderson has been actively involved in the organization since its beginning.

"I have seen this organization grow and evolve and I have seen it from its first 100 flights that we have celebrated and now to 1,000," she said. "It has been a blessing to be a part of and it has been a humbling experience."

September 14, 2010

Mac McKenzie flew the longest flight in 2010 from Monroe, La. to Goodyear, Az and return with a Monroe patient on the same day. Over 2000 miles and 10 hours flying time!

June 7, 2011

Pilots for Patients president Philip Thomas, left, and pilot Don Imhoff.
Mr. Thomas presenting Don with his leather jacket for flying 50 missions for Pilots for Patients.

Thanks Don for helping others in many ways.

October 9, 2010

Pilots for Patients director Sharon Thomas, right, and pilot Wayne Petrus.
Mrs. Thomas presenting Wayne with his leather jacket for flying 50 missions for Pilots for Patients.

June 24, 2010

Philip Thomas, left, Pilots for Patients president, presents Keith Odom a leather jacket to mark his 50th mission for Pilots for Patients.

February 23, 2010

Pilots for Patients president Philip Thomas, left, and pilot Andy Barham wearing the jacket he was awarded after completing his 50th mission for Pilots for Patients.

February, 2010

Profiles in Caring has posted a video on GoodTube of what Pilots for Patients is all about and what we do for patients in need.

Many thanks to all of the patients, pilots and members of the Houston Ground Angels who took part to make this video a huge success.

Click here to view the video...

Profiles in Caring is a weekly half-hour television show highlighting volunteerism and charitable work worldwide. It is nationally syndicated on the American Life TV Network....>>more

January, 2010

 For estate planning lawyer Larry Lehmann (a founding member of Pilots for Patients), flying is more than a hobby, it is a mission. Lehmann has found ways to not only incorporate his passion into his law practice by maintaining clients throughout Louisiana, but also has found ways to use flying to give back to those in need.(Loyola publications) ...>>more

July 29, 2009

 Monroe resident Philip Thomas has been named a winner of the 2009 Angel Award, presented by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation.

The annual Angel Award recognizes eight individuals from around the state who do extraordinary volunteer work for Louisiana's at-risk children.
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