{"id":5143,"date":"2026-05-08T22:01:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=5143"},"modified":"2026-05-08T22:14:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:14:52","slug":"siu-launches-2m-able-flight-campaign-following-successful-may-6-giving-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=5143","title":{"rendered":"SIU launches $2M Able Flight campaign following successful May 6 giving day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9HSu-jo-CAo?si=93u8Of28J3hr_4LJ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Able Flight officially launched the Campaign for Able Flight at SIU on May 6 with a successful giving day celebrating the organization\u2019s 20th anniversary of transforming lives through aviation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The one-day campaign raised $95,050 from 70 donors, helping launch a broader $2 million effort to\u00a0establish\u00a0the Charles H. Stites Able Flight at SIU Endowment Fund. The endowment will create permanent support for scholarships, adaptive flight\u00a0training\u00a0and program operations as SIU becomes the permanent home of Able Flight.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Founded in 2006, Able Flight is the only nonprofit of its kind in the United States, providing individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to become licensed pilots. The program has helped more than 100 participants earn pilot certification, with\u00a0additional\u00a0students currently in training.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">SIU and Able Flight have worked over the past two years to transition the program to SIU Aviation. With that move, SIU strengthens its leadership in accessibility,\u00a0innovation\u00a0and flight education while expanding opportunities for students and participants alike.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The endowment campaign has already secured more than $295,000 toward its $2 million goal. Leaders say reaching that goal will fully support Able Flight at SIU well into the future.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe success of the Able Flight 20th Anniversary fundraising campaign is evidence once again of how strongly our supporters believe in this mission and how willing they are to help build the Able Flight at SIU endowment fund,\u201d said Charles H. Stites, Able Flight\u00a0executive director. \u201cFor two decades, aviation has empowered people to challenge themselves in extraordinary ways, and this campaign helps ensure that mission continues far into the future.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stites said the campaign builds on significant\u00a0initial\u00a0funding already committed by Able Flight, with\u00a0additional\u00a0contributions expected later this year.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe are off to a great start,\u201d\u00a0Stites\u00a0said. \u201cBut as strong a beginning as we have had, the work is far from done, and I look forward to the SIU Foundation building upon and fulfilling this effort.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Participants in the program complete intensive training in specially adapted\u00a0aircraft, building skills that translate beyond aviation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brandi Fields, a trauma nurse from Kansas City, Missouri, trained with Able Flight after a spinal injury shifted the trajectory of her career but not her determination to pursue new opportunities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThere are a lot of transferable skills,\u201d Fields said. \u201cYou\u2019re\u00a0assessing the weather and making sure everything is correct with your airplane. In nursing, assessing is one of the biggest parts of what we do. You always\u00a0have to\u00a0think on your feet.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ronny Ahmed of Tallahassee, Florida, was paralyzed from the waist down following a 2014 shooting at Florida State University. He said Able Flight\u00a0represents\u00a0a level of independence he had not experienced since his injury.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI think it\u2019s a sense of freedom,\u201d Ahmed said. \u201cThere are so many restrictions when\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0in a wheelchair. This is\u00a0a truly unique\u00a0experience.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The training program, hosted by SIU Aviation, typically lasts up to eight weeks and culminates in check rides\u00a0required\u00a0for certification. Students train in adaptive light sport\u00a0aircraft\u00a0designed to meet a range of physical needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In addition to preparing participants for aviation careers, the program introduces many students to SIU\u2019s broader academic opportunities, creating pathways to enrollment and long-term success.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gifts to the campaign can be pledged over five years, with opportunities to support scholarships,\u00a0aircraft\u00a0and named endowment levels.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">To learn more about Able Flight, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/ableflight.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ableflight.org<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Able Flight officially launched the Campaign for Able Flight at SIU on May 6 with a successful giving day celebrating the organization\u2019s 20th anniversary of transforming lives through aviation.\u00a0 The one-day campaign raised $95,050 from 70 donors, helping launch a broader $2 million effort to\u00a0establish\u00a0the Charles H. Stites Able Flight &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/?p=5143\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">SIU launches $2M Able Flight campaign following successful May 6 giving day<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3,4,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-crowdfunding","category-higher-education","category-illinois-higher-education","category-siu"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5143","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5143"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5143\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5145,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5143\/revisions\/5145"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5143"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5143"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}