This summer AAI Volunteers coordinated escorts for 265 orphans – 200 from Latvia and Ukraine and 65 from China….in the largest single orphan airlift we have ever attempted!  Many thanks to Margaret Whitehead, Wayne Lee and Connie Lowry for their amazing efforts and to the dozens of selfless volunteers!

We can’t tell all the stories….but here is an example from Delta FA Cheryl Robinson about her efforts in China. Her story is below.

Hi Margaret,

I survived the trip!!! It was an awesome experience ….thank you …I’m sending some more pictures… I have to fly today to Amsterdam, I will be back Friday but I am also flying out on Saturday ….I never met Masako but I did meet Lori….. I wish I would’ve spoke with Lori beforehand she could’ve stayed at the hotel with me and I would’ve taken her around… She was very sweet. 

In my group I had 20 children and two escorts no one spoke English…. Vicki took the three children to Kansas City… I had one flight attendant take the group to Columbus Ohio gate and get on the flight… My twin sister and I took the rest of the group to the Charlotte North Carolina gate … A few problems as we had storms and computer issues in Detroit last night… I guess there is a Facebook page for the families who are taking the children so one of the ladies posted many things for me on there as I had some problems making so many phone calls….

The Ohio flight was maybe one hour early…. The Kansas City flight was on time I think… And unfortunately the Charlotte North Carolina flight was delayed more than one hour, But I was with that group… I would love to go to North Carolina when the group comes to Detroit to fly to Beijing in August I think they might need me….. I might get another flight attendant to help me…. There are two children who need special attention… And the man escorting them speaks no English!!!! I thought it was difficult for him to deal with the younger children.  But we will be in contact before I leave again of course… I will need to stay 2 nights in Beijing when I return because it is a lot of work… And the one lady Grace offered me to stay at her house but I might stay at a hotel and visit her….

In Detroit the Delta Airlines in-flight helped organize food and treats and drinks….everything to be delivered to a gate and we all sat around ….had pizza and lots of candy and drinks!!!  

We can talk later today thank you again for everything Margaret.

Cheryl Robinson 

You can read her follow up post here.