District III
Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia
This month, I want to get caught up on event reports that were sent to me. The following is from Tom Burdin of the Greater Cincinnati Radio Control Club (GCRCC).
“For 29 years, the GCRCC has supported the Spina Bifida Coalition of Cincinnati with financial gifts that go toward helping children and families who live with the birth defect. The funding comes from the club’s yearly auction and the annual Flying Circus (60th year) at the Butler County Regional airport.
“In 2021, we presented them with a check for $10,000. Not only does the club help the coalition, but it also helps the kids to be kids by inviting them and their families to our flying field for a Kids Fly event. There are a lot of smiling kids and parents, as kids normally bound to wheelchairs and braces slip the surly bonds of earth and their confined lives. We at GCRCC feel that giving back to the community is one of our primary missions in addition to having fun flying our model aircraft.”
I received the following from Heather Powell, secretary of the Fairborn Flying Aces RC Club.
“On July 24-25, 2021, the Fairborn Flying Aces RC Club in Fairborn, Ohio, hosted a Christmas in July Fun Fly with all proceeds going toward taking care of Christmas dinners for local families in need and presents for the children. A toy was donated in lieu of a landing fee. Door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, food donations, and monetary donations helped the Fairborn Flying Aces to assist approximately 25 families.”
Thank you, GCRCC and Fairborn Flying Aces for utilizing your clubs’ model aviation talents and resources for your communities.
On a sad note, I received word from AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame member Jay Gerber of the passing of a well-known Pennsylvania modeler, Dr. Dick Hockstein. Dick was a founding member of the SPARCS club that later merged with the Delaware Valley RC (DVRC) club.
As a tribute to Dick, club members built a kiosk memorial and dedicated it with a beautiful ceremony at the annual SPARCS/DVRC club picnic. Dick’s family came from across the country to attend. It was a meaningful way to pay tribute to a great human being, an avid modeler, and longtime AMA member. Thank you, Jay, for sharing this tribute with the members of District III.
Until next month, stay safe and fly safely.
