Nation's Largest Charitable Aviation Network Adopts New Name

ADDISON, Texas, May 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Angel Flight America(R) [AFA], a national network of several independent member organizations arranging free flights of hope and healing by transporting children and adults in need announces that effective today it will be known as Air Charity Network(TM) [ACN].

Air Charity Network member organizations and their generous volunteers are on the front line every day of the year helping people in need access life- saving specialized medical care. The national network also arranges flights of compassion including travel for military personnel and their immediate families as well as missions of disaster response. Last year alone, the 7,200+ volunteer pilots and the thousands of additional "ground crew" volunteers helping with outreach made over 23,000 "angel flights" possible. Based on those numbers, it is estimated that nearly 90% of the non-emergency charitable flights in the United States are being coordinated through Air Charity Network.

Passengers on "angel flights" are never charged for the transportation arranged through the network. It is provided by volunteer pilots who receive no monetary compensation whatsoever for their time, talent, airplane, fuel and operating expenses. Corporate aviation departments and airlines are also easily-accessed through the Air Charity Network. This charitable story of leveraging resources to meet needs on such a large scale is unique and compelling. The network and its member organizations exist solely through donations from individuals, companies, organizations and foundations that cover the many expenses associated with matching passengers in need with charitable aviation resources.

"We are changing our name to better describe the comprehensive services currently offered through our network as well as those which may be added in the future. Our vision and purpose -- to give hope wings and ensure that no person is denied access to care due to an inability to 'get there' -- remains the same," said incoming Air Charity Network Chairperson Christel Gollnick. Current Chairman Tom Powers said, "As a volunteer pilot myself, I look forward to the continued spirit of goodwill and cooperation our network stands for."

For more information, to donate and to volunteer visit http://www.aircharitynetwork.org or call the national toll-free number which will direct callers to the appropriate member organization for their area at 1-877-621-7177.

Angel Flight America(R) d.b.a. Air Charity Network(TM) is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt charitable organization.

    MEMBERS AND SERVICE AREAS OF AIR CHARITY NETWORK(TM):

    Airlift Hope serving NC and TN.

    Angel Flight Central serving IA, IL, IN, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, SD and WI.

    Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic serving D.C., DE, KY, MD, MI, OH, PA, VA and WV.

    Angel Flight Northeast serving CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI and VT.

    Angel Flight South Central serving AR, LA, NM, OK and TX.

    Angel Flight Southeast serving FL.

    Angel Flight West serving AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA
    and WY.

    Grace Flight serving MS and TN.

    Mercy Flight Southeast serving AL, GA, MS and SC.

    Mercy Medical Airlift providing the National Patient Travel Helpline and
    other services within the national Air Charity Network(TM).

    Contact:
    Theresa Dorr'e, Executive Director
    execdir@aircharitynetwork.org
    1-877-858-7788