AOPA preps for Hurricane Irma relief efforts
Following the ongoing contributions from the general aviation community to the Texas recovery effort from Hurricane Harvey, AOPA pilots and staff have begun work to assist in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
AOPA put out a call to the Frederick, Maryland, community where it is headquartered, and then opened the doors of the National Aviation Community Center for donations on Sept. 9 and 10. Donors were asked to provide items from a specific list of useful relief materials, and staff and local residents volunteered their time over the weekend to receive and organize contributions.
“The most effective way for pilots to help is to stay connected to one of the organizations already set up to coordinate GA flights and the movement of the correct supplies to the right locations,” Haines said. “We want to make sure our help is effective and on target with local needs.”
A number of pilots on staff at AOPA will be using their personal airplanes and AOPA airplanes to work in Florida with AERObridge and other GA groups to coordinate the transportation of people and the distribution of the materials and other relief supplies in the coming days. AOPA has also given AERObridge a financial contribution to help facilitate further work to assist areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
“Pilots should continue to check our website for updates on what we are doing as well as what they can do to help,” Haines said.
