gift

The AMA Foundation received a bequest gift of $10,000 to assist with education and National Model Aviation Museum efforts.  The AMA and AMA Foundation would like to thank Dr. Warren Knapp and his family for this generous gift. Dr. Knapp, a member of both the AMA Foundation Heritage and Legacy Societies, requested these funds be allocated upon his passing.

Warren W. Knapp passed away on October 3, 2020 in Ithaca, NY. He was an avid modeler and enjoyed flying with the Ithaca Radio Control Society. For more than 30 years, he was a professor in Atmospheric Studies at Cornell University as well as served as the Director of the Northeast Regional Climate Center.

Warren's contribution will have a major impact on the lives of future students through educational programming and will help the National Model Aviation Museum in their efforts to continue preserving the history of model aviation.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Knapp and his history with model aviation and meteorology, you can read his obituary HERE.

The AMA Foundation has received a second major gift, in the amount of $140,000, from Legacy Society Member Ronald Hesselbrock. The AMA and AMA Foundation would again like to thank the family of Ronald Hesselbrock for this generous gift. As stated in his will, these donations will be applied toward AMA's general scholarship fund, the Charles Hampson Grant Scholarship fund. This gift will continue to leave a major impact on the lives of future students who continue to be involved in the model aviation community. Read more about Mr. Hesselbrock and his gifts HERE.

The AMA Foundation has received a bequest of more than $171,000 to support the National Model Aviation Museum.  The AMA and AMA Foundation would like to thank the family of Herbert Bone for his generous estate gift. Herbert is a Heritage and Legacy Society member of the AMA Foundation. Herbert had a lifelong passion for model aviation, trains, and Disney, specifically Mickey Mouse. He was a United States Army Veteran and a loving husband, father, and family member. Herbert was loved by his family, friends, and community, was an active member of the Boeing Hawks RC Club, and was a long time member of the Marymoor MARCs (1970's-2020). He was also a docent at the Seattle Museum of Flight, with over 3,000 volunteer hours. Before passing, Herbert wrote a reflections project that looked back on his life: My Story, P&T&MM. Herbert's contribution will have a lasting impact on the National Model Aviation Museum, allowing it to continue as a world-class experience. We are honored to carry Herbert's legacy forward.

The AMA Foundation has received a gift of $135,000 to assist with scholarship efforts.  The AMA and AMA Foundation would like to thank the family of Ronald Hesselbrock,Oxford, Ohio,  for this generous gift. Ronald, a Heritage and Legacy Society member of the AMA Foundation, requested these funds be allocated upon his passing. Ronald died on his birthday, Monday, July 22, 2019 at Westover Nursing Home in Hamilton, OH. Born July 22, 1948 in Cincinnati, he is the son of Loretta (nee Meyer) and Edward Hesselbrock. Ronnie had a passion for model aeronautics and built and flew model airplanes. Throughout his life, he enjoyed Ham Radio and competitive target shooting. He was active with the Butler County Sportsmen where he served as a Trustee, and he also helped with the 4-H Shooting Sports Club. Ronnie served in the Army National Guard of Ohio, and as a Reserve of the Army. He is survived by many cousins and was preceded in death by his parents. Ronald's contribution will  have a major impact on the lives of future students who participate in the model aviation hobby. Each year the AMA awards approximately $50,000 in scholarships to students pursing higher education. Ronald's gift will assist with these efforts for many years.

The National Model Aviation Museum is proud to announce that it was awarded a Rapid Grant in February 2020 from the Ball Brothers Foundation in the amount of $5,000. The Ball Brothers Foundation is a family foundation located in Muncie, Indiana that focuses on improving the quality of life through arts, culture, and humanities; education; the environment; health; human services; and public society benefit. NMAM will use the grant funds to begin a strategic planning process with Whitinger Strategic Services, also located in Muncie, Indiana. Embarking on a new decade, the museum staff is eager to develop an actionable and achievable three- to five-year strategic plan, building its capacity for sustainable growth, greater performance, and high-impact practices. We are sincerely grateful to the Ball Brothers Foundation for their generous gift, and we look forward to sharing the strategic plan upon its completion. Stay tuned!  

The Sequim RC Aeronauts'  local airport hosts "Air Affaire" to promote all types of flying. SRCA, along with Olympic RC Modelers, have participated for the past 5 years demonstrating RC flying - aircraft, quads, a jet and trial lessons for kids and adults. Donations of RC and non-RC items are solicited from the community and local RC companies for a raffle. All proceeds are donated to their local Volunteer Hospice organization. Their annual gift varies depending on weather, turn out for the overall event, etc. This year they contributed over $2,700.00. Last year they were able to give over $4000.00! Raffle ticket purchases, pilot fees ($10 for the weekend) and donations are all forwarded to VHOCC. You can read more about the event at: https://www.sequimgazette.com/news/olympic-peninsula-air-affaire-sequim-...

The winner of the AMA Foundation For The Future Sweepstakes has been chosen and the winner has been revealed. William (Bill) Fitzharris from Arizona is the lucky winner and will be enjoying a trip to AMA Expo West and a flight in a P-51 Mustang, Lady Alice. When asked about his history with flying and how excited he is for the trip, this is what he had to say: How long have you been flying model aircraft/involved with the AMA? Bill has been flying since his early teens and has built and flown control-line in the days of the Redhead McCoy glow engines. His club was sponsored by the local Plymouth Auto Dealership, and that was it for the next 60 years. Then, a few years ago his daughter gave him a surprise birthday gift, an E-Flite Apprentice ready-to-go out of the box. He joined a local club, the Arizona Model Pilot's Society (AMPS) and the AMA. What are your areas of interest in model aviation? Free flight, RC, helicopters, scale, etc.? Currently he enjoys flying RC. What is your profession? Has model flying had any impact on your career path? Bill is a retired Wells Fargo Financial Advisor. Model Aviation has not really had an impact on his career choice. He has attended numerous airshows in the D.C. area along with the Air and Space Museum and Udvar-Hazy Museum, which his daughters have said they have visited too many times. How excited are you about winning? "Being known as "Mr. Never Has Won Anything," excited is not a strong enough word to describe how happy I am. This one is for the books!"

The Desert Eagles Model Airplane Club recently received an AMA Club Recognition and Reward grant for $175. The club is located in Idaho Falls, ID. Each year, the club hosts a paintball shoot and an open house at the Desert Eagles flying field. This year on June 23, the public was invited and they were able to purchase 10 paintball shots for $2. The goal is to hit a flying model aircraft with a paintball. There were also demonstration flights, a display of RC planes, a raffle for a $250 gift card to Hobby Town USA and instruction for first-time RC Flyers. Proceeds from the event benefit the Idaho Foodbank. The AMA Foundation would like to thank the Desert Eagles Model Airplane Club for hosting a fun event and donating the proceeds to the Idaho Foodbank! The AMA Club Recognition and Reward Program was established to encourage clubs to promote model aviation. The AMA offers clubs cash incentives for positive local media coverage for a public event, public service, club announcement, or other coverage. Click here to learn more about this program.

The Flying For Good featured March submission is The Lancaster County RC Club. The club is located in Lancaster, PA. The club hosts a Charity Air Show and has a “Neighbor Thank You” program to give back. The club also gives flight demos and speeches at their local airport, churches, lions club, retirement communities and high schools. Each year, the club invites the public to their field for their annual Charity Air Show. The club raises money for Path, a local organization devoted to supporting those in need in their community through education and financial help. The club raises around $2,000 during their event. During the event, the top RC pilots and instructors in their club educate and entertain the public. With a donation, the public is allowed to try piloting an RC plane with the aid of two instructors and a buddy box system. There is a paintball shooting contest that is monitored by a certified marksman, safety officer and experienced pilot. Planes are put up for static display and there is a candy drop at the event. The club also has a flight simulator that they set up in their clubhouse for the public to try. The Neighbor Thank You program was implemented by the club to thank the surrounding neighbors of their flying field. It started because many times the club members would need to retrieve items from the farmer’s fields. Each year around Thanksgiving, they give their neighbors a gift card to say thank you for being a good neighbor. The club gives approximately $600 each year in gift cards. In addition, if a club member loses an aircraft in a farmer’s field, they give a $100 reward if they find it, along with an apology and a thank you. The AMA Foundation would like to thank the Lancaster County RC Club for their dedication to their community and their ability to give back to others. The AMA wants to know how your club has given back to charity. To learn more about the Flying For Good Program, click here.