TEMPE, Ariz. – US Airways today announced that its 32,000 employees pledged more than $1.1 million to the airline’s annual “Hope Takes Flight” campaign to benefit the United Way – addressing vital health and human needs in more than 150 communities across the country where US Airways operates. This year’s campaign, which ran between Sept. 25 and Nov. 13, raised more money than 2008 and contributed to the more than $8.5 million US Airways employees have raised for United Way in the past decade.
Employees shined with creativity, compassion and sheer strength with fundraising events such as a board game-themed mini-golf tournament in Phoenix, a silent auction in Pittsburgh, as well as the airline’s popular Jet Pulls, held in its three hub cities of Charlotte, Phoenix and Philadelphia. The winning team of employees in Philadelphia pulled a 50-ton Airbus A319 jetliner the required 15 feet in 4.55 seconds, setting a new company record. The Jet Pulls are US Airways’ most popular United Way fundraiser, and 2009 saw the largest number of teams competing.
US Airways employees routinely support their communities through volunteerism and other initiatives on a year-round basis. The airline’s dedicated corps of more than 4,000 Do Crew employee volunteers in Boston, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, Winston-Salem, N.C., Las Vegas, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Pittsburgh have volunteered more than 18,000 hours so far this year with 95 different nonprofit organizations.
“This year’s United Way ‘Hope Takes Flight’ campaign was a tremendous success in terms of both fundraising and team building,” said US Airways Vice President, Safety and Regulatory Compliance, and Hope Takes Flight Chairman Paul Morell. “It just goes to show how generous our employees are, especially given the recent economic conditions. Employees from all over the country joined together in the true spirit of giving and had a great time in the process, all while helping a good cause.”
“In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever to have the support of generous partners like US Airways who are committed to improving communities across the country,” said Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide
