“Airlift Hope’s pilot of the year in North Carolina is a Fayetteville resident” (FayObserver)
Fayetteville, NC
March 2010
Kenny Hardin still remembers the look on the little girl's face.
Hardin was flying the girl, who was about 7 years old, in his single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza. She was en route to have a medical procedure done. Hardin asked the girl if she'd like to sit up front and help him fly the plane.
"The smile on her face was priceless," Hardin said. "It really got me."
There have been many moments like that for Hardin since he started volunteering for Airlift Hope. In three years, Hardin estimates he's flown about 100 missions, taking patients all over the eastern part of the country for various medical reasons.
Recently, Hardin - a Fayetteville resident who works in the construction business - was honored as North Carolina pilot of the year by the organization. He will be recognized at a ceremony in Virginia Beach, Va., in April. "He flew 47 missions in 2009, which is really, really remarkable," said Airlift Hope spokeswoman Suzanne Rhodes. "Frankly, he is a hero in our eyes and in the eyes of the patients he serves. He's really one of the finest."
Airlift Hope, based in Virginia Beach, Va., is a nonprofit organization serving patients and their families. They provide air transport to medical facilities for evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, according to the group's Web site...
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Gifts Included
Talent
Kenny offers his piloting skills to shuttle medical patients around the East Coast, flying about 100 missions in three years.
Treasure
Kenny uses his own airplane and "gas money" for all his missions.
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it’s too bad that there aren’t more accounts like this these days. this one is so heartwarming.