Airline Ambassadors International
Encyclopedia
Airline Ambassadors International (AAI) is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
, affiliated with the United Nations
and recognized by the US Congress
http://airlineamb.org/ExternalFiles/Congressional_Record.jpg. It was founded by Nancy Rivard in 1996 and has since donated 50 million dollars in aid to clinic
s, school
s, orphanage
s and programs in 52 countries.
AAI was conceived by Rivard, an American Airlines
flight attendant
, after seeing first hand wasted excess cargo space on commercial flights. She sought ways to leverage that space for the transport of needed aid by successfully lobbying American Airlines and many other carriers. Additionally Rivard began to enlist colleagues in the airline industry to transport relief aid or to use their travel passes to escort children in need of medical attention to the US for treatment.
Airline Ambassadors International is the only independent relief and development non-profit in the United States that works directly with commercial airlines. Since 1996 AAI has provided aid to an estimated 500,000 people in underprivileged areas around the world aid, both in the form of disaster relief and ongoing support projects.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t52gdDbTAEQ The organization's network of members numbers in the 10,000s, with most being airline personnel, although the organization includes people from every profession and background.
Members may participate in a variety of ways including joining an AAI sponsored "mission". AAI develops relationships with orphanages, hospital
s, or entire communities and members may sign up to hand deliver aid and supplies.
With the catastrophic earthquake
in Haiti
on January 12, 2010, AAI facilitated the transport of over 2 million pounds of medicine
s and food, and some 500 medical personnel. It also builds permanent housing for internally displaced people (IDPs) from the earthquake as well as providing safe houses for victims of human trafficking.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCfs2ONoujM
Airline Ambassadors is located in Washington, DC. Its website is at www.airlineamb.org
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
, affiliated with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and recognized by the US Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
http://airlineamb.org/ExternalFiles/Congressional_Record.jpg. It was founded by Nancy Rivard in 1996 and has since donated 50 million dollars in aid to clinic
Clinic
A clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
s, school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s, orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
s and programs in 52 countries.
AAI was conceived by Rivard, an American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
flight attendant
Flight attendant
Flight attendants or cabin crew are members of an aircrew employed by airlines primarily to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard commercial flights, on select business jet aircraft, and on some military aircraft.-History:The role of a flight attendant derives from that of similar...
, after seeing first hand wasted excess cargo space on commercial flights. She sought ways to leverage that space for the transport of needed aid by successfully lobbying American Airlines and many other carriers. Additionally Rivard began to enlist colleagues in the airline industry to transport relief aid or to use their travel passes to escort children in need of medical attention to the US for treatment.
Airline Ambassadors International is the only independent relief and development non-profit in the United States that works directly with commercial airlines. Since 1996 AAI has provided aid to an estimated 500,000 people in underprivileged areas around the world aid, both in the form of disaster relief and ongoing support projects.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t52gdDbTAEQ The organization's network of members numbers in the 10,000s, with most being airline personnel, although the organization includes people from every profession and background.
Members may participate in a variety of ways including joining an AAI sponsored "mission". AAI develops relationships with orphanages, hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s, or entire communities and members may sign up to hand deliver aid and supplies.
With the catastrophic earthquake
2010 Haiti earthquake
The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, approximately west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks...
in Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
on January 12, 2010, AAI facilitated the transport of over 2 million pounds of medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
s and food, and some 500 medical personnel. It also builds permanent housing for internally displaced people (IDPs) from the earthquake as well as providing safe houses for victims of human trafficking.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCfs2ONoujM
Airline Ambassadors is located in Washington, DC. Its website is at www.airlineamb.org