Sixth Annual Taste of Hope Event Raises Funds for International Humanitarian Programs

By Carmelo Turdo

The Wings of Hope Young Ambassadors held the 6th Annual Taste of Hope fundraiser at the Wings of Hope St. Louis World Headquarters on Saturday, September 17. The event supports two international humanitarian programs chosen by the Ambassadors earlier this year: 

Patrulla Aerea Columbiana Maternal Health Care Program

Global Humanitarian Network Funds 

With one very reasonable ticket price, guests at Taste of Hope sample delicious food from local restaurants and participate in optional activities such as the silent auction and 50/50 raffle that also benefit the above programs. 

The Young Ambassadors mission is "to engage, empower and inspire young professionals aged 21-45 to create cross-cultural connections to help address global problems while building awareness of Wings of Hope." The Young Ambassadors host three major fundraising events each year to benefit programs that directly change and save lives through aviation. 

Taste of Hope 2022 began with introductions from Wings of Hope President and CEO Bret Heinrich and Young Ambassadors President Brad Rafferty. The silent auction and 50/50 drawing opened as the guests arrived and the food was being served. 

The food sample selection was impressive again this year thanks to the generous participation of local Restaurants, breweries and presenting sponsors.    

                                                               

Music by Carlos Suarez kept the atmosphere festive throughout the afternoon while many in attendance visited the Wings of Hope program exhibits, posed for a sketch artist or made their own stuffed animal. Also shown here are special guests Paul Scimone and April Haskins from Dogs for Our Brave and the St. Louis Blues Mascot, Louie.

Taste of Hope was treated to a performance by AfroKuumba Dancers from Beyond Measure Dance Theater. Founded in 2007 by Alicia Depry-Gbaho, Beyond Measure Dance Theater brings iconic African dances to events around the region. Here we feature dancers from progressive age groups along with a solo performance Depry-Gbaho.

Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Wings of Hope has the vision of "Changing and saving lives through the power of aviation." Wings of Hope has a rich history of using aircraft to provide humanitarian aid to communities in remote places where it is most needed. In 1959, various Catholic ministries started providing humanitarian air services in the Turkana region of Kenya. Not unlike Charles Lindbergh's preparations for the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, Bishop Joseph Houlihan of Eldoret, Kenya approached St. Louis businessmen Bill Edwards, Joe Fabick, Paul Rodgers and George Haddaway about his need for a new aircraft. They then provided the seed money for the first Cessna U206 used by the newly-minted United Missionary Air Training and Transport. As news of this first successful aircraft service spread, more aircraft were needed. Wings of Hope incorporated in 1967, and has since provided humanitarian and development services around the world through an inter-faith approach to serving the needs of all mankind. Today, Wings of Hope continues to emphasize aviation as the means to achieve their mission and partners with local organizations in the countries served. A complete list of areas served can be found on the Global Programs web page. 

The Aero Experience is proud to support the mission of Wings of Hope and provide this extended coverage of the 2022 Taste of Hope event.