The organization was founded 31 years ago by Mary Webb, a pilot who began coordinating missions at her kitchen table in South Florida. Mercy Flight Southeast now operates in five states – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and South Carolina – and is comprised of more than 650 volunteer pilots. The organization flies approximately 3,000 missions a year. “One of the best things about the organization is that for every dollar that is donated we are able to return almost 10 dollars back to the end recipient because that dollar goes to picking up the phone 24 hours a day but pilots donate their own aircraft, fuel and time,” says Steven Purello, Mercy Flight Southeast’s CEO. “In 2012, our volunteer pilots donated over 2.2 million dollars’ worth of services.” Purello has been a volunteer pilot with the group for 18 years. He joined the organization full time three years ago. “Once you are given the privilege of being able to do something like fly an airplane and own an airplane, it just seems common sense to give back with your special talents and
the fact that you own an airplane,” he says. “And this is an organization that is easy to believe in. You can see the direct results we have on these peoples’ lives.” Today, Purello’s other responsibilities with Mercy Flight Southeast means he flies fewer missions – he now mainly flies when another pilot cannot make a scheduled flight or if there is a problem with a flight – but that has not changed the relationships he has built with many of those helped by the organization. “Over the years you definitely become close to them – you become intertwined in their lives,” Purello says. “Some have passed away over the years, but others have become very good friends and have gotten completely better. One passenger I used to fly goes surfing with me now. Another passenger, who we still fly, does speaking engagements for us and is a friend of mine that I spend time with too.” Also particularly special to Purello is little Aubrey who, after seven months of flying back and forth from her Bonifay home to Miami – never having to spend a night away from home thanks to the
“These pilots truly care and are truly passionate about helping people,” says Duffey. “They have become like family.” volunteer pilots at Mercy Flight Southeast – is now physically developing properly. “These pilots truly care and are truly passionate about helping people,” says Duffey. “They have become like family. If it wasn’t for them, we could not have gotten Aubrey the treatment she needed.” Paige Townley is a local freelance writer. For more information on Mercy Flight Southeast, visit www.mercyflightse.org or call 888-744-8263.
Helping Families with Special Needs through All Stages of Life
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