Get Involved
Wheelchair Donation
Honor Flight Columbus utilizes wheelchairs to transport senior Veterans who go on day-long trips to Washington DC to visit the memorials erected in their honor. These wheelchairs have a tough job.
On each flight the chairs are loaded on and then off the chartered airplane. They are then loaded on and then off the buses at least six times as the deluxe motor coaches drive and park from airport to memorial to memorial, and then back to airport as the Veterans, their Guardians, and the wheelchairs go to see the memorials up close.
Our wheelchair maintenance team of Volunteers work hard to keep our chairs in service from flight to flight, but they do take a beating and we have a pretty high attrition rate.
Donations help keep our fleet healthy and are really important to us! Here’s what we need:
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Standard, large wheeled wheelchairs that fold-up.
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New, nearly new or serviceable (clean, with foot rests, good arm rests, seat and back material not torn) chairs.
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Seats 16-18 inches wide and 16-17 inches deep.
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Can carry a 300 pound person
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Adjustable swing-away footrests, no elevating leg rests please!
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Swing up arm-rests
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No cushion, no seatbelt, no travel bag, no cup holders.
Frequently, long-term wheelchair users accumulate new spare parts that include arm and foot rests, hand grips and other user replaceable items. We always have need for these new items.
Please contact us 614-284-4987 or info@honorflightcmh.org to arrange a donation.
Thank you on behalf of our senior Veterans.
Honor Flight Columbus is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Code and donations may be tax-deductible.
Hero Salute
Honor Flight Columbus' mission is to fly senior Veterans to Washington DC. We know, however, that some Veterans are not able to fly to DC and these Veterans need to be honored. This is where our "Hero Salute" program comes into play.
The Honor Flight at Home - Marion, Ohio program is designed to recognize and honor any veteran that served active duty from 1941 to 1975, who has not previously gone on an Honor Flight, and cannot travel to Washington. This is a FREE program that is held every year at the Tri-Rivers Vocational School in Marion, Ohio. The Veteran does not have to live in Marion to participate!
For more information regarding the Honor Flight at Home - Marion, Ohio event, contact Margie Saull at saullgw4@yahoo.com
Honor Flight at Home - Marion, Ohio Application and Info Sheet
Honor Flight at Home - Marion, Ohio Facebook Page
Honor Flight Columbus operation staff & volunteers also attends special birthday celebrations, nursing home visits, etc., to honor our Senior Veterans. If you are interested in the Hero Salute program, please contact the HFC office - info@honorflightcmh.org.
Hold a Fundraising Event
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Community fundraisers, and fundraisers sponsored by churches, schools, and fraternal organizations have made it possible to take more than 8,600 Veterans from the Central Ohio area since 2007. We would be happy to talk with you about fundraising ideas and ways in which we might be able to support your event.
Please contact the Honor Flight Columbus office at info@honorflightcmh.org.
Be a Volunteer
Volunteer Your Time and Talent
We are a volunteer organization. We welcome anyone with a heart for honoring veterans. Please contact us if you are interested in contributing your time and talents to Honor Flight.
Volunteers are needed for everything from administrative tasks, fundraising, ground crew and guardians who accompany veterans on the trip to ensure a safe and memorable trip. Our volunteer teams are: Ground Crew Team, Hero Salute Team, In Office Prep Team, Mail Call Team, Media Team, Medical Team, Outreach Team, Parade Team, Regional Volunteer Team, Reunion Team, Veteran Ambassador Team, Veteran Call Team & Wheelchair Maintenance Team. More detailed information on each team can be found on the Volunteer Application Form below.
How to Volunteer
Volunteering for Honor Flight Columbus is easy. Start by completing and submitting an online application. Click here to access the online Volunteer Application form.
If you have any issues completing the form or need to update your volunteer profile, just let us know. We can also help with any general questions regarding volunteering for Honor Flight. Email us at volunteers@honorflightcmh.org.
Guardians
Guardians serve a very important role for Honor Flight Columbus.
Our mission is squarely focused on the Veterans, their safety, comfort, well being, and enjoyment of the day. To ensure every mission is a success, we are very selective in who is invited to serve as a Guardian.
First and foremost, serving as a Guardian is work. It is a LONG day, it likely will involve pushing wheelchairs, being responsible for additional tasks, managing all manner of physical and emotional challenges throughout the day. This is not a "tour" for the Guardians, it is hard work - exceptionally awesome hard work - and perhaps one of the most rewarding "work" days you will ever experience.
We have some basic rules and expectations.
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Family members are not permitted to serve as a Guardian for their Veteran except under very limited circumstances.
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Veteran/Guardian requests will be considered but due to critically important Veteran experience considerations, most requests will not be accepted.
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We have a policy that sets an expectation that the Guardian can not be older than the Veteran that they are serving.
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Mandatory training - an in-person preflight session two weeks before the mission.
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Positive attitude, willingness to be a team member, respect and awareness of our mission.
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Good ability, fitness, and health - sufficient to stay on top of your game all day - from 5:00am to midnight. To lift 100 pounds, push a heavily loaded wheelchair for extended periods. To walk approximately 4 miles, in any weather condition.
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Ability to "pay their way" - the Guardian Fee is $450 and partially covers the cost associated with the trip for the Guardian.
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Commitment to the HONOR, SHARE, CELEBRATE vision of this organization.
What else are we looking for?
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Veterans willing to serve as a Guardian.
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Young Professionals.
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Medical Professionals (EMTs, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Doctors, etc.).
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Interest in having a recurring role.
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History of Volunteering with Honor Flight Columbus.
New guardians & support staff need to submit an application: Guardian & Support Staff Application
Returning (2021-present) Guardians, please complete this form to update and/or opt out of the program: Current Guardian Application
DC-based guardians are needed as extra hands for our missions. Click here if you are in the DC area and want to get more info: DC Based Guardian Help
Enjoy this opportunity you have to be with these American Heroes. Please give them the attention and care they so richly deserve. HFC reserves the right to refuse a guardian based on their inability to meet the expectations and requirements. The first priority will always be what's best for our veterans.
High School Student Guardian
This program is designed for upper-level high school students attending school in one of HFC's 36 counties, to serve as Guardians on an Honor Flight. High School Students accepted into this program will complete 5 mandatory training sessions, serve as Guardians on a Flight Day, and their school must host an introductory event for students (e.g. a presentation to a small class or assembly by HFC staff and/or Veterans to explain HFC and its mission.) This program provides an opportunity for the next generation to honor, share, and celebrate our nation’s Veterans. Additionally, students gain experience in application and interview processes, marketable skills associated with people, logistics, and service, as well as networking opportunities. There is no financial cost for students accepted into this program. Flight Day costs are covered by HFC for all program participants.
To apply for this program for the Spring 2025 flight season, students must submit the High School Guardian Application including the required essay, along with a reference from a teacher, administrator, or other school personnel by October 4th, 2024. Applications will only be considered if all materials are present and received by the deadline. The application as well as mandatory training dates will be made available by August, 2024. If you would like to join a list to be notified of application materials or you have any questions, email the Director of Outreach at outreach@honorflightcmh.org.
Important dates:
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Spring Season 2025 application deadline: October 4, 2024
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Spring Season 2025 Interviews: October-November, 2024
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Spring Season 2025 Program Participant Contracts due: December 6, 2024
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Spring Season 2025 Flight Day Selection Survey due: January TBD
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Spring Season 2025 Training Sessions:
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Session 1: January 9, 2025
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Session 2: February 13, 2025
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Session 3: March 13, 2025
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Session 4: two weeks before assigned flight day
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Session 5: within one week after assigned flight day
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Shop at Kroger
Kroger Community Rewards Program Provides Money to Honor Flight Columbus. Sign up now. This does not reduce your gasoline or other Kroger perks.
Honor Flight Columbus - Organization Number 82159
All participants must sign up online to participate. You can no longer scan the barcode at the registers or service desk.
To re-enroll:
Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com
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Click Columbus, OH
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Click re-enroll
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Enter your email address and password
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Type 82159 to find Honor Flight Columbus
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Click on the circle left of the Honor Flight Columbus name.
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Click on Save Changes
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Verify by looking at “Community Rewards” on the next screen. Enrollment Date should show the date you re-enrolled.
To enroll for first time:
CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SIGN UP
If you have any questions, please call 1-800-KROGERS
Our Veterans Thank You!
