You do not need a flight school, license or plane to join the Pilot Club of Charleston. Our Pilot Club has given more than 60 years of service to the Charleston community. Charleston Pilot members support a wide variety of programs, including volunteering on behalf of Charleston hospitals, schools, the Alzheimer’s and Buddy Walks, as well as other civic groups.

Pilot is an international club. Membership in the Pilot Club of Charleston brings women into a vast network of Pilots in hundreds of clubs internationally, working to improve the quality of life in local communities. Since 1994, brain-related disorders have been the focus of Pilot International.

Pilot International Foundation extends its humanitarian efforts through grants awarded to Pilot Clubs and Districts for projects that benefit people with brain-related disorders. Scholarships are awarded to encourage careers in fields leading to the improvement of life for people with disabilities.

This year, Charleston Pilot donated over 200 bicycle helmets to the Marine Corps Toys For Tots campaign, with the help of matching grant funds from Pilot International. Also in 2003, our club awarded $2000 to Lifeline Services at Thomas Memorial Hospital to help expand this worthwhile community service project. This donation was also matched by a grant from Pilot International.

For 2004-2005, the Charleston Pilot and other Pilot Clubs in West Virginia have pledged funding to the WV Brain Injury Association for its toll-free number. Funds for our projects are raised by members in a variety of fundraising events during the year.

Our next fundraiser, scheduled for March 31^st through May 5^th, 2004, will be a raffle drawing for a P. Buckley Moss print donated by the P. Buckley Moss Foundation and framed by Picture It Framed, 210 Hale St., in downtown Charleston. The print will be on display at this location and tickets will be available by contacting a Pilot member. Tickets are $2.oo each, or 3 tickets for $5.00.

The members of Pilot Club of Charleston wholeheartedly invite you to become part of the fastest growing service organization in our country. Take this opportunity to use your strengths, skills, and ideas for others. Luncheon meetings, friendship, and service projects make this an ideal group. Meetings are held on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays of most months. Membership fees and monthly dues cover the luncheon costs, operating expenses and Pilot International and District dues.

Volunteering time and energy in service to others is a priceless gift, given without expectation of reward, yet we who serve receive bountiful returns. Take off with the Pilots and experience today’s way to volunteer. Call us today!

Pam Gray, President, Pilot Club of Charleston, 346-3125

Cindy Boyd, Newsletter Chairman, 344-1154