Fort Worth Airpower Foundation Donates $100,000 From Sky Ball VI to Help Families of our Fallen Military 
  

FORT WORTH, Texas, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fort Worth Airpower Foundation (FWAPF) has donated $100,000 to Snowball Express, a volunteer organization that benefits the children and spouses of fallen military heroes. The check was presented today by Mike Snyder, FWAPF Chairman, along with Captain Steve Blankenship, Director-Veterans Initiatives for American Airlines, to Snowball Express Chairman Roy White, in a brief ceremony at American Airlines headquarters.

As the official airline of Snowball Express, American Airlines provides air transportation for this annual event, which offers a fun and memorable trip for nearly 2,000 participants. Many American Airlines and American Eagle employees volunteer their time to staff and assist with the activities.

"This is truly an honor for Snowball Express to receive such a significant donation from the Fort Worth Airpower Foundation, especially in these trying economic times," said White. "The corporate citizenship shown by American Airlines in teaming with the Fort Worth Airpower Foundation to help our children sets an example for other corporations to follow."

"The immense and unselfish effort of hundreds of American Airlines employees who volunteer their time to bring hope and joy to our military and their families is truly inspiring," added John Kinnear, FWAPF Director of Communications. "The American Airlines team epitomizes what it means to be American."

The donation came from proceeds of last year's Sky Ball VI, an annual fundraiser hosted by American Airlines and the FWAPF to support the families of military personnel and benefit the families of deployed reservists and Guardsmen. In 2008, more than 600 American Airlines and American Eagle employee volunteers helped to organize and host the event.

The featured entertainer at this year's Sky Ball VII gala, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at American's Alliance Airport (AFW) maintenance hangar, will be singer Tony Orlando, universally known for his anthem of hope and reunion, Tie A Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Ole Oak Tree.

"I am honored and privileged to have been asked to be the headliner of this year's Sky Ball event, and I am thrilled that the yellow ribbon symbol will represent this year's efforts on behalf of veterans," Orlando said. "My continuing relationship with American Airlines is one of the most rewarding I have ever experienced. Whether it be the trip to entertain troops in Iraq, Snowball Express or the Road to Recovery, American Airlines continues to give back to those who serve on behalf of all Americans."