Southwest Airlines Pilots Raised More Than $100,000 to Purchase Vans for Ronald McDonald Houses

Jan. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- On January 4 at Southwest Airlines headquarters, Herb Kelleher received a large gift in his honor that wasn’t a plane, but something with wheels—three vans that were purchased for Ronald McDonald Houses.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities has long been a focus for Herb Kelleher and Southwest Airlines.  When Southwest pilots heard the Dallas House was in need of new transportation, Southwest Airlines Pilots’ Association (SWAPA) set up a donation for pilots to give in Herb’s honor and received $104,343.78 to go toward new transportation for Ronald McDonald Houses in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Central Florida in addition to cash donations to be delivered to RMH locations in the San Francisco area, Phoenix, Chicago, Baltimore and Houston.

SWAPA President Steve Chase said, “Herb’s heart for this charity, his employees, and this Company has always been admired by our pilot group, and we were ecstatic to be able to honor Herb in this way – by helping a cause so near to his heart.”

Herb Kelleher said, "You really made it an emotional masterpiece when you conceived the idea of giving the vans and the monetary contributions to the Ronald McDonald Houses. Because as all of you know, for many decades they have been my favorite external charity.”  
Ronald McDonald House of Dallas CEO Jill Cumnock thanked the Southwest Airlines pilots for contributing generously. "For our families who have children who are in wheelchairs, it's been a challenge for us getting them to and from hospitals. This handicap-accessible van is going to make their lives and our lives so much better. Those trips back and forth to the hospital are just going to be so much easier. We just can't thank you enough, not just for the vans, but Southwest and everything this organization does for all the Ronald McDonald Houses is truly tremendous and we are very, very appreciative."
Also attending were Southwest Airlines’ CEO Gary Kelly and President Emeritus Colleen Barrett, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas Board Chairwoman Vera Bangs, along with many Southwest Airlines pilots and employees.
 
In 1985, Southwest Airlines took the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas under its wing and has contributed millions of dollars through its annual LUV Classic golf tournament. Employees have also contributed thousands of hours of service to cook meals, volunteer at The Trains at NorthPark and more.

ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DALLAS:
Established in 1981, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has served as a home-away-from-home for more than 29,000 families of seriously ill children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. By providing a caring, supportive, home-like environment, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow a family to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances. For more information, contact the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at 214.631.7354, or visit the website at www.rmhdallas.org.