Pancakes, planes support Brushy Creek Honor Flight
Fly-In raises more than $5,600
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Pancakes, airplanes and a community effort at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport helped to raise more than $5,600 to send area veterans to Washington, D.C.
The Fort Dodge Regional Airport hosted a pancake fly-in fundraiser for the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight on Sept. 12, raising $5,679.53 through breakfast sales, plane rides, a raffle and donations.
According to Sarah Rustvold, director of aviation at the airport, more than 250 people were served pancakes and sausage by Chris Cakes during the event. Visitors also got a close look at several aircraft on display, while local pilots offered rides throughout the morning.
"Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and resources to make this day wonderful," said Rustvold. "Thank you Fort Dodge Flight Support for hosting the event, the pilots who generously donated their time and aircraft, and all the volunteers who kept everything running smoothly. Thank you as well to everyone who came out to enjoy the festivities."
According to Rustvold, 147 plane rides were given during the fundraiser. The participating pilots donated their time and use of their planes, receiving no compensation other than reimbursement for the cost of fuel, according Rustvold.
Approximately 26 volunteers also helped with the event.
"It was a beautiful day filled with good food, fun plane rides, and fellowship," said Rustvold.
SkyWest Airlines also donated two round-trip airline tickets from Fort Dodge to either Chicago or Denver for a raffle held as part of the fundraiser for the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight.
Members of Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery of the Iowa Army National Guard also participated in the event, bringing a howitzer to the airport for visitors to see. The unit marked the conclusion of the fundraiser at noon by firing three blank rounds.
All proceeds from the event were donated to the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight, which provides veterans with the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials dedicated to their service.