Last week, I wrote about the Children’s Miracle Network’s Celebration 2009, and meeting the kids at the Pin Exchange. After the pin exchange, I donned my tuxedo to attend the Children’s Miracle Network Awards Banquet presented by Delta Air Lines.
The Gala honored doctors and caring individuals across the world who have helped to make miracles. Presenters and entertainers included John Schneider, (TV star and Co-Founder of the Children’s Miracle Network), Katie Stam (Miss America 2009), and Steve Young (Football Hall of Famer). But the real stars of the evening were the awards recipients and the children whose lives have been impacted by their incredible work.
Two of those honored miracle makers were Delta’s own: Debora Snow in Delta’s Inflight Service–ATL, and Ruth Olinger, a quality service assistant at Northwest Airlines—DFW.
Since becoming an employee of Delta in 1997, Deborah Snow has truly represented Delta’s commitment to service and volunteerism. She began volunteering with Airline Ambassadors initially, where she flew children who were being adopted to their new homes. Deborah knew after placing the first child into a new family’s arms that she was hooked on volunteering.
After a trip to Dakar, Senegal, Deborah found another way to help children. In Dakar, she was introduced to an orphanage that was in desperate need of supplies and donations. She started bringing clothes and volunteering her time, gathering donations with the help of other Delta flight attendants, pilots, mechanics and ramp personnel. Today, Deborah flies to Africa four times a month, loaded with supplies. On the first night I met Deborah, she shared with me her photos of the orphanage and the many babies it serves.
Ruth Olinger, a quality service assistant at Northwest Airlines in Dallas-Fort Worth, has made it her life’s work to care for street children and orphans in South America. Her pursuit to better the lives of children has been made possible by using her flight benefits in combination with vacation time.
Before each trip to South America, Ruth collects clothes, shoes, toys, toiletries, medical supplies, hygiene products, and even wheelchairs. When she reaches her destination, she never knows if she will get to her delivery spots by mule, jeep or on foot. On one of her recent trips, a homeless boy asked for a pen. When she handed him a satchel with school supplies, she noticed he was missing an eye. Since encountering him, Ruth has arranged four eye surgeries for him.
One grateful family wrote of Ruth, “Your presence is like the light of the splendorous sun that strengthens the life of all our children and guides them down a good path.”
Please join us in honoring Delta’s Miracle Makers.
Frank
Manager
External Affairs and Community Relations