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FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines Sky Ball XVI raised more than $2.75 million for the Airpower Foundation, a nationwide organization dedicated to supporting members of the military and their families. The three-day fundraising event culminated with a black-tie gala on Saturday, Oct. 27, in an American Airlines hangar at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
This year’s program showcased a variety of organizations supported by Sky Ball and closed with a special performance by country music duo Big & Rich. More than 3,000 people were in attendance.
“This year's Sky Ball was the best one yet, and it's thanks to the collaborative partnership we have with our title sponsor, American Airlines, and the more than 1,200 volunteers who donate their time, energy and commitment to supporting our veterans and military," said Sid Eppes, Chairman of the Airpower Foundation. "The funds raised through Sky Ball allow the Airpower Foundation to make a significant impact for worthy organizations around the country that support our military, veterans, wounded and their families.”
The funds raised from the event will allow the Airpower Foundation to assist several organizations, including Adaptive Training Foundation, Folds of Honor, Our Military Kids, Air Force Association and the George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative.
“The scope and scale of American Airlines Sky Ball is unlike any other, and it’s extraordinary to see so many people come together to celebrate, honor and give back to our military heroes and their families,” said David Seymour, Senior Vice President of Integrated Operations for American and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. “This event is only possible thanks to the more than 1,200 American team members who step up to support Sky Ball year after year, serving as escorts, planners, waiters, ushers, hosts, set up crews and more to transform our maintenance hangar into a world-class event venue. Their passion for the cause is inspiring.”
The three days of Sky Ball events included the Vietnam POW “Return to Freedom” 45th Anniversary Reunion with keynote speaker, current Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, General David Goldfein; a veteran-focused career fair sponsored by American; educational outreach programs at area schools; and a Salute to Heroes concert honoring members of the military, first responders, veterans, their families and the families of our fallen military heroes. The concert featured Austin Allsup, Coffey Anderson, the Scooter Brown Band and three-time Grammy-nominated Texas country artist, Pat Green.
American Airlines Dallas/Fort Worth-based Captain Mitch Bell received the Citizen Hero Award Friday night from the Airpower Foundation for his unwavering commitment to the military. Captain Bell, a retired lieutenant colonel and former winged naval aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps, regularly volunteers for numerous charities and veterans’ organizations including Purple Hearts Reunited. The nonprofit is dedicated to making sure the brave men and women who receive the nation’s oldest military award are never forgotten by returning lost or stolen medals to veterans or their loved ones. For three years, Mitch has used his own time and travel benefits to return around 30 of these priceless medals to their rightful owners.
For more information about Sky Ball, visit skyballinfo.com, and for more information about how American Airlines supports the military, veterans and their families, visit aa.com/military.
Soaring into the past
With more than 6,000 team members who are active or retired military, and many thousands more with family members who serve, American is committed to supporting the military and veterans. John Bellefontaine and his son, ORD-based Captain Steve Bellefontaine, share many things — genetics, veteran status and now memories from the trip of a lifetime. Earlier this month, John, a World War II veteran, and Steve, a Gulf War veteran, took part in a Soaring Valor trip, special charter flights that transport WWII veterans to New Orleans to visit the National WWII Museum. A program of the Gary Sinise Foundation, these trips are often an emotional journey for the veterans, some of whom feel like they are reliving their war days while they move through the museum and recall memories long forgotten.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. American is a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, whose members serve more than 1,000 destinations with about 14,250 daily flights to over 150 countries. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. In 2015, its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.