Collings Foundation March eNews!

Friday March 9th, 2010   PepsiCo. Grant Status - Free flights for WWII Vets Submitted and in the process of being reviewed Hello Everyone ~ Some might remember from last eNews I mentioned this special grant program Pepsi Co. is offering. Pepsi Co. is looking for people, businesses, and non-profits with ideas that will have a positive impact. Ideas are submitted and posted on their web site: refresheverything.com If the idea is approved by the good people at Pepsi, it is posted on their site. At that point people can vote for their favorite. So - On March 1st at 12:01 AM, I submitted our idea "Honor our WWII Veterans by taking them for a historic flight" in the $250,000 category. We would like to use this money to take WWII Veterans for a free flight on the bombers at each location on the national Wings of Freedom tour. (Realize - we would like to do this anyway, but with the tremendous operational expenses, this is not feasible). We estimate this amount of money will allow us to offer many flights throughout this year's tour. Hopefully, the idea will be approved and posted April 1st. Keep an eye on refresheverything.com come April 1st! I'll keep you posted. _____________________________________________________________________ New Flight Coordinator Gene Norman - settling in OK ...   Gene seems to be settling into the position of Flight Coordinator just fine. Video above features Gene in the nose of the B-17 doing an interview while the tour was in New Orleans. He is having a great time meeting up with all kinds of folks and veterans as we bounce around the United States. Gene is also a great amateur photographer! Below are some pictures during our stops in New Orleans, Tallulah, Monroe and Tyler. From left to right: B-24 Cockpit, Gene and Gertrude Banks - who worked at North American putting together P-51 scoops (third picture), top turret, nice shot of "Betty Jane". Great stories and sights at Vicksburg Tallulah Airport This is what the Wings of Freedom tour is all about! It does not matter if it is a large city or small. When local WWII Veterans come out to see the aircraft and share their experiences while you are touring though and flying in these incredible planes - makes for a history lesson that lasts a lifetime. ...And, if you are lucky, and at the right location, you will see the B-24 flying by with an escort of P-51 Mustangs... _____________________________________________________________________ Looking for some volunteer help Would be great to have a little extra help at some of our Wings of Freedom tour stops in Texas. There are many ways you can help when the tour comes to your area. Everything from pre-stop promotion/advertising, setting up school group tours, contacting local VFW and media to cleaning the dead bugs off the nose glass and wiping up the oil. If interested, please email Hunter at: hchaney@collingsfoundation.org Looking for help in: New Braunfels, TX 3/24 - 3/26 San Antonio, TX 3/26 - 3/29 Temple, TX 3/29 - 3/31 Arlington/Dallas/Ft.Worth, TX areas: 4/5 - 4/12 --is there anyone near Lubbock? Need some help spreading the word there! 4/12-4/14 Not limited to Texas! Check the schedule. If we are in your area and want to help just give us a call: 800-568-8924 or email hchaney@collingsfoundation.org _____________________________________________________________________ B-24 Bomber Crew Fantasy Camp - sign up! We have a couple spaces available for the B-24 Fantasy Camp in Stockton, California June 2nd and 3rd. For more information click here . Getting ready to "close it up". If interested give us a call. This is one of the most fantastic experiences you can imagine! Spring is in the Air! Getting ready for CF Events ~ The snow is starting to melt in Massachusetts- which has us all thinking about the Foundation's open house events in the summer. This is a great opportunity to see the foundation's wonderful collection of automobiles, race cars, military and historical equipment. Video below features a unique perspective of our Stearman and Texan flights during the "Wings and Wheels" open house. For more information click here. Know what/who this is? February contest results I admit the first contest was difficult! The photo featured in last months contest was Rick Harris's grin - while flying in the A-4. Rick helps head our Vietnam Memorial flight operations at the Collings Foundation facility based at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. Congratulations to our P-51 pilot Chuck Gardner. Free tee shirt for Chuck! This month I'll make it easier! See below for this month contest. Me-262, F-4, A-4 FAA Exemption Status In and out of "legal"..... Still keeping our fingers crossed. We'll keep you posted. Hope to have more news next month. By then the Me-262 should be in the thick of pilot training. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ~ COLLINGS FOUNDATION PX STORE (Ray here in the office loves to send out your orders! Give him some work!) Gifts, books, DVDs and more - for the aviation enthusiast! See our online PX Store. Shopping is very easy and secure. Looking for the ultimate gift for "the person that has everything"? Flight Certificates are a unique and exciting present for anyone. The Wings of Freedom tour visits over 110 cities all over the United States. Once your certificate arrives just check our stop schedule to see when the bombers are near you- then call us to reserve a seat. Check our web site for confirmed schedule and locations). Flight Certificates are a tax deductible donation! We also have a great selection of books, videos, DVD's, T-shirts, polos, toys, calendars, hats and much more. Have to mention the prints we are selling from Aviation Artist - Robert Brun. Hand signed and numbered prints that will look great on any wall! Excellent stuff for anyone interested in WWII and Vietnam era aircraft and history. Your purchase helps the Collings Foundation! 2010 B-17 Calendar and 2010 Ghosts Calendar _______________________________________________________________ Help us "Keep E'm Flying" for Future Generations Your contributions are the only way we are able to continue our programs. Make your tax-deductible donation before the year is over. Our new annual membership program lets you "Join the Ranks" and help "Keep 'em Flying"! The Participating Membership ($100 annual contribution) includes a member card, free admission to The Wings of Freedom Tour and the annual Collings Foundation Open House in Stow, MA, a 10% PX discount with the member card (call us to get 10% PX discount), a subscription to the Collings Foundation's Magazine, a Collings Foundation window decal as well as a one-time $50 discount on a flight experience in the B-17, B-24, or B-25. Distinguished Flying Command Members ($1500 one time contribution) includes the gets his or her name on ei! ther the B-17 or B-24 and two between cities flights in addition to the Regular Membership benefits. Plane Sponsors ($5000 one time contribution) includes a lifetime subscription to the Collings Foundation newsletter, honored name on the Plane Sponsor section of either the B-17 or B-24, a leather flight jacket and lifetime between cities flight privileges for sponsor and guest. There are many ways one can help support Collings Foundation. We can receive donations in the form of IRA contributions, bequests, stock, fine art, aircraft, rare automobiles, real estate and much more. In-kind or monitory corporate sponsorships are also greatly appreciated. We can work closely with your company to help promote each other's goals and services. Of course, flying in the planes is a great way to donate! We do not receive any funding from the Federal Government! Your support is essential. Please call 800-568-8924 with any questions. For more information on how to become a Collings Foundation member, please go to our Membership section on the website.   Contest: Know who this is? First three people to email hchaney@collingsfoundation.org with the correct answer gets a free tee shirt. No hint for this one!

The Collings Foundation PO Box 248 Stow, Massachusetts 01775 978.562.9182 - www.collingsfoundation.org