I first became a part of the Wing’s family in 2012 as a team member of the 2013 Wings Of America national team. Ever since that first experience Wings of America has never failed to make me feel proud in everything they do and gave me every opportunity possible to be the person I am today. I never knew one day I would become a DI college scholarship student-athlete, but Wings of America pushed me to believe it. Wings has been the epitome in strengthening native communities through empowering native youth in achieving better opportunities outside of the community, both academically and athletically. With every opportunity, youth learn how to navigate the world, become more independent, and create a healthy mindset in ensuring they succeed in their future endeavors. From April 13th-17th of this year, five incredibly deserving high school student-athletes will be selected to join the Wings program on a trip to Boston, MA during the Boston Marathon week. These student-athletes will experience up-close world class racing, city life, and university life all in one city with the Wings of America group. Though everything is covered we still deeply appreciate all donations made towards this trip for our youth, your donations really make a difference. As a charity runner for this race, it is truly an honor to run in the Boston Marathon and more importantly be a representative for all Wings of America youth and all native communities. Thank you for supporting this unique opportunity for Native youth! Your generosity is motivation to train diligently and race with a big heart come "Patriot's Day"!
Wings of America
Wings of America has been granted two Boston Marathon "charity bibs" to help raise funds for our Pursuit program for Native American high school juniors. In addition to training for the Marathon, two former Wings participants, Courtney Lewis (Ft. Mojave/Hopi) and Casey Long (Diné), have volunteered to serve a chaperones for Pursuit students through the weekend leading up to their race. Show your appreciation for their committment to Native youth by making a tax-deductible donation to help cover the cost of airfare, lodging, meals and ground transportation for 5 Pursuit students April 13-17, 2023. Contribute to each of their campaigns, or make a general (tax-deductible) donation to Wings. It is our goal to raise $10,000. Thank you for your support!
Suggested Donation levels/uses:
- Bluebird, $25.00- Average cost of one rideshare when there's not enough time or energy to take the metro as a group.
- Swallow, $55.00- Cost of one bib for Pursuit students to participate in the B.A.A. 5K the Saturday before the Marathon.
- Hummingbird, $75.00- Average cost of one breakfast or lunch for all 5 Pursuit students when out on the town.
- Raven, $150.00- Average cost for one dinner for all 5 Pursuit students when out on the town.
- Falcon, $375.00- Entry fee attached to "charity bibs" for the Marathon. Wings covers this fee for Pursuit chaperones, but they must pay for their own airfare to/from Boston.
- Hawk, $413.25- Average rate (per night) for a hotel room (4 twin bunkbeds with shared bathroom down the hall) in Boston's South End over Marathon weekend. In the past, Wings was fortunate to have a host home that could accomodate all our students for the weekend. Unfortuantely, our generous host sold their home this winter. Though we are seeking another host, keeping our group together is a major priority that is difficult for many to oblige.
- Eagle, $500.00- Average cost for a plane ticket to/from Boston for Marathon Weekend.
Since 2017, Wings of America has collaborated with the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) and Boston-area universities to provide this eye-opening experience to promising students from across Indian Country. Apart from running the B.A.A. 5k and spectating the Marathon, Pursuit students visit colleges, learn to navigate the city, and visit with Indigenous friends in the area.
It is our goal to raise $10,000 to cover the cost of Pursuit students' airfare, lodging, meals and ground transportation April 13-17. Please give generously knowing your contributions will help broaden selected students' horizons and help them on their way to becoming role models and leaders in Indian Country. Nearly every former Pursuit student has gone on to college and/or joined our Nation's armed forces.