Junior Optimist International Summit Attendees Visit Wings of Hope

By Carmelo Turdo

Junior Optimist International members from the U.S., Canada and as far as the Caribbean attended their annual Summit in St. Louis July 18-21. The summit was hosted by St. Louis University and included opportunities to develop teamwork and leadership skills each day. Several off-site activities were included in the Summit schedule, one of which included a visit to Wings of Hope World Headquarters at Spirit of St. Louis Airport on Saturday. 

Education Programs Manager Lee Ann Nolte opened the session with an overview of the Wings of Hope mission and the humanitarian aviation programs operating in the U.S. and around the world. The mission of Wings of Hope is "Changing and Saving Lives Through the Power of Aviation." This mission is manifested through the U.S. Medical Relief and Air Transport (MAT) Program, Global Humanitarian Network and Education and Outreach SOAR Into STEM Program. Angela Walleman, Vice President and Director of Programs, added more details on the MAT Program, including patient profiles and flight operations statistics. These presentations gave context to the next series of activities held in the Wings of Hope hangar.

Throughout the morning, the Junior Optimist International members attended four activity stations in and around the Wings of Hope facility. Here we include some views of each activity area led by Wings of Hope volunteers who are so essential to the success of the humanitarian aviation mission.

Tour of the Wings of Hope lobby display items provided by the people served in Central and South America, Africa and Oceana:

  

Paper airplane making and flight contest outside of the Wings of Hope hangar:

Briefing on the Wings of Home MAT Program Piper Navajo aircraft:

Briefing on the Wings of Hope Global Programs Cessna 206 aircraft:

Lunch was provided by Kanoa's Hawaiian Grill: 

The Aero Experience thanks Wings of Hope for participating in the Junior Optimist International Summit hosted by St. Louis University. Check the links above for more information on each of these great organizations.