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Wings of Hope (charity)
Encyclopedia
Founded in 1962, Wings of Hope is the oldest and largest volunteer, humanitarian, aviation based charity in the world. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri
, they organize and maintain over 3,000 volunteers in 154 bases in 45 countries. Wings of Hope is strictly humanitarian, meaning they have no religious or political agenda
. In fact, they do not accept support from the American government
http://www.coolmompicks.com/2009/01/on_the_wings_of_hope.php, On the Wings of Hope. and do not forward funds to any foreign government agencies. The organization focuses strictly on supplying resources to raise the poor to a level of self sufficiency
. The charity has been nominated for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.
, usually for children with massive birth defects
and then transports them to and from that care for years until all treatments are completed. The services is provided at no-cost and the organization does not accept reimbursement from insurers or the government.
. The volunteers come from varied backgrounds and professions, from mechanics to doctors, and together they help the sick, teach, build a community, develop businesses, and do everything conceivable to build a region into a level of being able to take care of itself.
Bases are located throughout North, Central, and South America
, Africa, Southeast Asia
, and Australia.
Since 1962, approximately 18 bases have closed because the organization deemed that the communities had achieved sustainable self-sufficiency.
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, they organize and maintain over 3,000 volunteers in 154 bases in 45 countries. Wings of Hope is strictly humanitarian, meaning they have no religious or political agenda
Political agenda
A political agenda is a set of issues and policies laid out by an executive or cabinet in government that tries to influence current and near-future political news and debate....
. In fact, they do not accept support from the American government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
http://www.coolmompicks.com/2009/01/on_the_wings_of_hope.php, On the Wings of Hope. and do not forward funds to any foreign government agencies. The organization focuses strictly on supplying resources to raise the poor to a level of self sufficiency
Self-sufficiency
Self-sufficiency refers to the state of not requiring any outside aid, support, or interaction, for survival; it is therefore a type of personal or collective autonomy...
. The charity has been nominated for the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.
Operations
Wings of Hope, Inc., operates worldwide in 45 countries and thus is viewed as a world resource. Villages are not required to meet any conditions to receive aid. 90% of all funds generally are directed to their program services http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=9524, Wings of Hope. Major portions of their efforts are focused in the following areas:- Healthcare
- Education
- Community development
- Sustainable food
- Micro-loans for women-owned businesses
- Supplies and goods to improve infrastructure
- Peace negotiations
Medical Air Transport
The Medical Air Transport System (MAT) is a unique service offered in the United States in 26 states. The MAT locates and arranges for advanced health careHealth care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, usually for children with massive birth defects
Congenital disorder
A congenital disorder, or congenital disease, is a condition existing at birth and often before birth, or that develops during the first month of life , regardless of causation...
and then transports them to and from that care for years until all treatments are completed. The services is provided at no-cost and the organization does not accept reimbursement from insurers or the government.
International Bases
Wings of Hope operates over 150 bases in 45 countries. The goal is not simply to provide aid but rather to help communities achieve self-sufficiency Charity Starts at Home, Charity Starts at Home. and sustainable developmentSustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
. The volunteers come from varied backgrounds and professions, from mechanics to doctors, and together they help the sick, teach, build a community, develop businesses, and do everything conceivable to build a region into a level of being able to take care of itself.
Bases are located throughout North, Central, and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, Africa, Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, and Australia.
Since 1962, approximately 18 bases have closed because the organization deemed that the communities had achieved sustainable self-sufficiency.
Notable Supporters
From the Wings of Hope website http://www.wings-of-hope.org/:- Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Chuck YeagerChuck YeagerCharles Elwood "Chuck" Yeager is a retired major general in the United States Air Force and noted test pilot. He was the first pilot to travel faster than sound...
, the first pilot to travel faster than the speed of sound - General Colin PowellColin PowellColin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
, former Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of StaffJoint Chiefs of StaffThe Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
and former U.S. United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State - former Senator Elizabeth DoleElizabeth DoleMary Elizabeth Alexander Hanford "Liddy" Dole is an American politician who served in both the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush presidential administrations, as well as a United States Senator....
, North Carolina - Sanford McDonnellSanford N. McDonnellSanford "Sandy" N. McDonnell is an American engineer, businessman and philanthropist. Former chairman and chief executive officer of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, he also served as national president of the Boy Scouts of America and as chairman of Character Education Partnership. He was "Man of...
chairman emeritus of McDonnell Douglas CorporationMcDonnell DouglasMcDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It formed from a merger of McDonnell Aircraft and Douglas Aircraft in 1967. McDonnell Douglas was based at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport... - former Senator Alan K. SimpsonAlan K. SimpsonAlan Kooi Simpson is an American politician who served from 1979 to 1997 as a United States Senator from Wyoming as a member of the Republican Party. His father, Milward L. Simpson, was also a member of the U.S...
, Wyoming - Thomas Patten StaffordThomas Patten StaffordThomas Patten Stafford is a retired American Air Force lieutenant general and former NASA astronaut. He flew aboard two Gemini space flights; and in 1969 was the commander of Apollo 10, the second manned mission to orbit the Moon and the first to fly a lunar module there.In 1975, Stafford was...
, one of 27 astronauts to have circled the moon - Sherrill Kazan Alvarez, President of the World Council of Peoples for the United Nations
- Justin Francis Rigali, Cardinal Archbishop of Philadelphia
- Kurt RussellKurt RussellKurt Vogel Russell is an American television and film actor. His first acting roles were as a child in television series, including a lead role in the Western series The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters...
, actor - Dolores HopeDolores HopeDolores Hope, DC*SG was an American singer, philanthropist and wife of actor/comedian Bob Hope.-Early life and career:...
, singer, philanthropist and the widow of actor Bob Hope - Arnold PalmerArnold PalmerArnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
, Pro-Golfer - former Senator John DanforthJohn DanforthJohn Claggett "Jack" Danforth is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Republican United States Senator from Missouri. He is an ordained Episcopal priest. Danforth is married to Sally D. Danforth and has five adult children.-Education and early career:Danforth was born...
, Missouri - Harrison FordHarrison FordHarrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
, actor and pilot - Stan MusialStan MusialStanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
, retired Hall of Fame professional baseballProfessional baseballBaseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player
Awards
- World Trade Center Saint Louis' 2005 "Global Ambassador Award"
- National Aeronautic Association National Public Benefit Flying Award in 2004 and 2007