FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Maureen Schmidt, Executive Director
Angel Flight East
mschmidt@angelflighteast.org
(215) 358-1900

$250,000 Grant will help Angel Flight East Fly Sick Children & Adults

Ed Asplundh, President of the Asplundh Foundation and Jeanne Asplundh recently presented Maureen Schmidt, Executive Director of Angel Flight East (AFE) with a check for $250,000.
This grant is an endowment in the memory of Barr Asplundh who died on August 14, 2010. Barr was a former president and board chairman of Asplundh Tree Expert Co. Barr was an enthusiastic pilot who flew aerobatics until 1980. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, the International Aerobatic Club and the Soaring Society of America.

The Asplundh Foundation saw the need to support our nonprofit and generously donated to our program,” Maureen Schmidt, executive director of Angel Flight East, said about this donation. “Nonprofits are having a difficult time securing funds in this economy, so we are grateful to the Asplundhs for their financial support. This endowment will enable Angel Flight East continue our mission in the future.”
Through a volunteer pilot network, Angel Flight East flies financially needy people to hospitals, clinics and medical facilities for treatment completely free of charge. They also assist when there are national disasters by flying medical staff and supplies to the devastated areas. AFE’s Office is headquartered at Wings Field Airport in Blue Bell. Last year alone over 800 missions were coordinated by a staff of two for children and adults who were seeking crucial medical treatment far from home. Patients were flown to over 40 medical facilities in the Northeast region.

One of the patients was an 18 month old boy who had cancer in his eye. His mother and he had flown 8 times already from South Carolina to Philadelphia, PA to receive crucial chemo medical treatment at Wills Eye Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Without the volunteer efforts of the Angel Flight East pilots, this baby would not have been able to make that long distance to receive treatment monthly.

Angel Flight East is honored to be associated with the Asplundh Foundation. For more information on Angel Flight East please visit www.angelflighteast.org.