Category Archives: Making a Difference

May 19

SkyWest Flight Attendant Praised as “A God Send”

SkyWest’s success is a direct result of the incredible aviation professionals who who regularly go above and beyond to help passengers on more than 1,700 daily flights. Recently, Mary Morgan, a Seattle-based flight attendant was commended for being “a God send…at a most difficult time” thanks to the kindness and support she provided on a flight from Ontario, California to Seattle.

SkyWest Airlines,

I am writing to acknowledge a flight attendant who truly “got me home” on a most difficult flight. Mary, her name, Flight 3447 Friday May 8th, Ontario to Seattle.

#1) I am claustrophobic – especially in planes #2) I had received a call while on a weeks vacation that my 89 yr old mom had become quite ill and was near death.

To sit next to my husband we had changed our seats to the only side-by-side seats left in the plane – last row on the plane. I boarded the plane in tears anticipating my anxiety flying and what awaited me at home. Mary picked up on my state of being immediately, brought me tissue and settled us in without asking any questions. As we sat side by side with Mary for “take off,” etc. my husband told her my challenges. She went beyond the call of duty to console me, work with my phobia and just over see my well being throughout the trip, all the way to our terminal good-bye. She was a God send for me at a most difficult time.

I did arrive in time to share three days with my mom before her death.

Thank you Mary for everything. Thank you SkyWest for employing such insightful, sensitive people.

Sincerely,

Donna Sheree Bullock

This letter is just one of the many compliments SkyWest’s 10,000+ employees receive each week thanks to their efforts to ensure every passenger enjoys a great travel experience.

Apr 06

SkyWest Mini Indy Races to Help Those in Need

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For the 15th year, dozens of teams revved up their go-karts and raced around the twists and turns of the “Ridgetop Raceway” at the SkyWest Mini Indy. While some were lucky enough to walk away with a new trophy, the real winner is clear: thousands of people living in Southern Utah.

“SkyWest believes in supporting the communities where our more than 10,000 employees live and work, and Mini Indy has been a big part of that tradition now for 15 years,” said Mike Thompson, SkyWest Airlines COO.

Mini Indy is a unique event that brings businesses from around the world and hundreds of their employees to St. George, Utah to help those in need. Money raised from race entries and sponsorships is all donated to the United Way Dixie, which helps support 17 local charities like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah and the DOVE Center.

“Without the generosity of our sponsors involved in Mini Indy, we would not be able to fund the agencies that provide important human services to our neighbors in need,” said Rebekah Pectol, administrator, United Way Dixie.

Since its inception, Mini Indy has raised nearly $1 million to help those living in Southern Utah. But it’s impossible to track the countless individuals who have benefited from this impressive race.

Mar 12

SkyWest Flight Attendant Brings Help to Cambodian Orphans

Having dealt with years of well-documented corruption and social unrest, Cambodia stands as one of the poorest countries in the world. Access to education, sanitation and nutrition is minimal in many locations, and non-existent for some. Many children begin working at a young age in horrendous conditions, exposing them to many risks, including disease, drug abuse and sexual violence.

That’s where Mendy Field, a SkyWest flight attendant based in Palm Springs, California comes in. For the past seven years, Mendy has organized trips to Cambodia to help children in need. She first learned about the need while working alongside a Cambodian war refugee in Irvine, California for six years. There Mendy heard stories of the extreme poverty many are facing and knew she wanted to do something to help. After a trip to an orphanage in Mexico to deliver supplies, Mendy realized she could make the same deliveries to orphans in Cambodia.

“It’s an adventure and a mission to help children learn and change that country,” said Mendy.

Mendy made her first journey to Cambodia by herself and discovered an orphanage by asking locals at a hotel lobby about where she could find children she could help. Since then her efforts have continued to expand. Recently, she started her own non-profit organization called We See Light. Their mission is to help put an end to sex trafficking through education, building safe houses for children being rescued from brothels, and providing basic necessities like food, clothes and hygiene supplies.

“My goal is to build more safe houses for children who have been rescued from brothels,” said Mendy. “It’s not going to get better unless people go help them.”

This summer, Mendy will be heading back to Cambodia to visit the orphanages and to deliver supplies that she has collected from other SkyWest employees. In fact, so much has been donated that several additional employees will likely join Mendy to help with the deliveries. Their efforts are a great example of what many SkyWest aviation professionals are doing around the world to help those in need.

Dec 24

SkyWest Employees in Salt Lake City Spread Holiday Cheer

This month the SkyWest Airlines InFlight and Flight Operations crews in Salt Lake City joined forces with those in the Customer Service Department to help fulfill the dreams of several local families in need.

These SkyWest groups worked together to serve Safe Harbor, a crisis center in Kaysville, Utah, with a Sub 4 Santa Christmas drive. Safe Harbor helps domestic violence survivors achieve a life free of violence by providing a healthy environment. They also provide the tools needed to rebuild confidence and help these families become self-sufficient. This is the second year these crews have teamed up to help Safe Harbor and no one hesitated to jump in again this year.

To help spread the word for this year’s Sub 4 Santa, a Christmas tree was set up in the SkyWest Crew Lounge loaded with ornaments. Each ornament consisted of the needs or wants of a mother and her children from their Christmas lists. Nine families were adopted and there were more than 200 items requested, including winter coats, gloves, socks, blankets, boots and shoes. Other requested items included bikes, LEGO blocks, kitchen appliances, books, toys and games. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the SkyWest family, nearly all of the requests were fulfilled ahead of the Monday, Dec. 15 deadline. It is truly amazing to see the giving spirit of the SkyWest family as they have gone above and beyond the requests listed.

Just a few of the items loaded up for the adopted families!

A few items loaded up for the adopted families!

The ability to sacrifice and help others in a time of need is an amazing opportunity. It is a great reminder of what the holidays are truly about. And the overwhelming generosity shown by these incredible SkyWest employees every holiday season is remarkable!

Dec 22

SkyWest Flies 50 Children to the “North Pole”

On Saturday night, Dec. 15, 2014, 50 Colorado Springs children flew to the “North Pole” on SkyWest Airlines’ Fantasy Flight. There they were able to experience the magic of Christmas at a special event dedicated just for them.

This is the eighth year running that SkyWest employees have partnered with community volunteers to organize the Fantasy Flight and transform Colorado Springs Airport’s East Terminal into a winter wonderland. The evening began with dinner, autographs from local Olympians, a petting zoo, face painting and a special appearance by Sky Sox baseball’s Sox the Fox mascot! The little passengers then boarded SkyWest Airlines flight 1225 to the “North Pole” and took off on what was, for many of them, their first flight.

“Nobody got scared,” said Michele Warren, flight attendant – COS. “They all did a good job.”

As they took to the air, flight attendants sang Christmas carols with the kids (although not always in tune), and watched as the children gazed with wonder out the window at the world below them. After a magical, 30-minute flight filled with laughter and song, they had arrived at the “North Pole” (COS East Terminal). The children excitedly hopped off the plane and ran up the jet bridge, anxious to see Santa and tell him their dreams for Christmas morning.

When they entered the room, they were greeted by family and friends, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves! They played games, did crafts, and snacked on cookies and hot chocolate while they opened the gifts that Santa brought them. The atmosphere at the “North Pole” was clear throughout the night: This was a magical experience that the kids and their families would remember for years to come.

“We’d like to do a lot more for the kids, but finances are tight and we don’t have a lot of money,” said Kris Dalton, a father of three daughters who participated in the event. “This is something really special.”

Children aboard the Fantasy Flight are enrolled in CPCD’s early childhood education programs. These children live at or below the federal poverty level, have an identified special need, or have a fragile home situation that puts them at risk for school failure. Reaching out to provide them with a magical holiday event is always rewarding, and a lot of hard work and preparation goes into putting it together. Everything from dinner and the volunteers’ time, to the gifts, fuel and aircraft are all generously donated by SkyWest and all of the volunteers who are anxious to give back and help these children have a magical Christmas experience.

Jamie Young, SkyWest’s COS general manager said, “Seeing the kids and parents enjoy the event makes it all worth it!”

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Dec 18

SkyWest Maintenance Team Helps Hundreds of Local Kids With A Free Toy Drive

This holiday season, SkyWest employees and teams across the country are reaching out to help those in need. Just recently, the maintenance team in Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) and their families volunteered with Laguardo Baptist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee to offer a free toy store.

The “toy store,” held at the church, consisted of long tables filled with donated toys, games, bikes and more. Children and their families had the chance to browse through everything and were able to pick out their favorite items. Last year, the SkyWest team served more than 200 families – several with multiple children. However, after seeing some people turned away due to a lack of toys, they set a goal to help even more.

“We were able to provide more than $5,000 in cash and toys for 300 children and their families,” said Ginger Steed, BNA admin assistant.

The huge success was possible thanks to many generous donations and a desire to give back.

“I think of the 300 smiling faces (plus the stress relieved from parents) come Christmas morning, the memories we created, and the impact that all of it has on everybody,” Ginger continued. “It gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and that’s what it’s all about!”

This is just one of the many opportunities SkyWest employees have taken to give back this holiday season. Big and small, they are always looking for ways to get involved and to give back to the communities where they live and work.

Dec 10

Slamming Cancer One Dunk at a Time

SkyWest’s history is one full of ambition and perseverance. It’s little wonder then that SkyWest people and their families exhibit those same attributes. Need proof? Look no further than five-year-old JP Gibson, grandson of SkyWest Crew Time Coordinator Sherri Gibson. JP was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of two. Since then he has faced the disease with so much determination and tenacity that even the Utah Jazz took notice and signed JP to a contract in October.

Fulfilling his dream of joining the Jazz, thanks to the Anything Can Be project, JP quickly took the sports and media worlds by storm. After signing his one-day contract in the presence of Jazz executives and media personnel, JP took to the court to showcase his skills. He entered the Jazz preseason, intrasquad scrimmage to a huge ovation from the thousands of fans in attendance at the Energy Solutions Arena.

This phenomenal boy has not only achieved his goal of playing for the Jazz, but he and his family have brought increased awareness and funding to pediatric cancer. His parents, Josh and Megan, have become active lobbyists for pediatric cancer care and are involved with CureSearch in Salt Lake City. And even though he’s only five, JP has brought hope and courage to people across the country.

JP’s story is filled with hope and determination, and is a testament to the human spirit that is displayed by SkyWest people and their families every day. Please join the entire SkyWest team in supporting JP in his fight against cancer, and wishing him a long and healthy life!

Oct 30

SkyWest Flight Attendant Bests Breast Cancer

In 2014, an estimated 232,670 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and approximately 40,000 women will die from this disease according to the American Cancer Society. And SkyWest people are out making a difference! From participating in walks and fundraising cook-offs to sporting pink awareness attire, our people are taking action to raise awareness and funds to help fight breast cancer.

Julie Bruno, a Denver, Colorado-based flight attendant, shares her story of survival and explains how the diagnosis helped motivate her to accomplish her dream of joining our InFlight Department. The following is Julie’s brave and determined account!

I started my career with SkyWest in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a customer service agent in October 2006. After getting some experience in Customer Service, my plan was to transfer to InFlight in the spring, but I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2007.

I will never forget that day. I went for my annual mammogram like I did every year. After the exam, I was told that the doctor wanted to speak with me. The nurse shuffled me into his office and all I saw were my X-ray films hanging on a white screen. The films were lit up from behind as to not miss a single detail. Nothing was said. The silence made my blood run cold. The doctor finally said, “You have cancer.” The only thing I could think to say was, “Am I going to die?”

That day my world had blown up and would never be the same. Things happened so quickly; trying to get a hold of my emotions was nearly impossible. My decision to have surgery and reconstruction was one of the toughest. Over the next seven months, I cried a lot, laughed a lot, loved a lot, prayed a whole lot and found people that have become my very close friends. I look at my world much differently now than before, and with good reason. My family, my faith in God, and a positive attitude got me through my toughest and darkest hours. I told myself that when I recovered I was going to make that jump to InFlight, which I did in August 2007.

I have been cancer-free for more than seven years now, and I would like to share my story with other women and their families who have experienced breast cancer. Many of us and our families (mine included) have been touched by cancer. We can benefit from each other’s personal stories which give hope and encouragement for a bright future. I hope we can all take this month, and every month, to bring awareness to breast cancer research and prevention.

Jun 18

SkyWest Employees Make a Difference in Costa Rica

When planning a trip to an exotic destination like Costa Rica, most people don’t think about packing their bags with 200 lbs. of paper, folders, coloring books, calculators, soccer balls, shampoo, stuffed animals and hair accessories. That is, unless they are SkyWest Director of Flight Operations Bill Mostowy and his wife, Brandi Mostowy, a Flight Operations Facilitator.

The idea for the unusual luggage started roughly two years ago when the couple traveled to Costa Rica to vacation and visit family members in Tamarindo. While enjoying the beautiful country, zip-lining and playing in the surf, they noticed a drastic difference between the tourist areas and back-country villages.

“We saw elementary schools that lacked basic necessities like running water, air conditioning, books, restrooms, paper, pencils and other supplies that any school should have,” said Bill. “And after that first trip, we knew we couldn’t return without bringing as many supplies and donations as we could carry.”

To help meet their goal, Bill and Brandi solicited donations from friends, family and their SkyWest coworkers who are always eager to help with these types of efforts. In fact, they finally had to stop taking donations because they simply ran out of room from all of the tremendous support.

After arriving in Liberia, Costa Rica, they traveled to the coastal town of Tamarindo. And while they thought they had carefully accounted for everything, the Mostowys quickly realized that the school year in Costa Rica had not yet begun and the schools were closed. Thankfully, two friends managed to contact school officials to arrange for someone to meet the group at the school to receive the supplies.

“As we drove up to the school, we were shocked to see nearly every student waiting for us,” said Brandi. ””It was hard to tell who was most excited, us, or the 15 students and their parents.”

After their initial shyness evaporated, the kids welcomed them and peppered them with questions, which they eagerly answered through the help of their translators. In addition to all of the school supplies, each child was also given a gift bag and had a chance to put together some SkyWest paper airplanes.

“It was truly an amazing experience to see how something so simple could bring so much happiness,” said the couple.

And Brandi and Bill didn’t just stop there. In addition to their trip to Escuela Linderos, they set aside supplies and toys for another charitable program called Casa Luz, located in San Jose. Casa Luz is a haven for adolescent mothers who have come out of abusive situations or extreme poverty. It was established in 2003 by Canadians, Eldon and Lori Cooke, who felt the need to help these exploited adolescents and their children.

Bill and Brandi both say they’re grateful for all of the support they experienced in putting together this humanitarian trip and are planning to organize another effort soon.
The care and compassion demonstrated by Bill and Brandi is also shared by many of the other 10,500 employees working at SkyWest Airlines. They are committed to going above and beyond, to help in the communities where they live and work. To learn more about SkyWest Airlines, visit www.skywest.com.