CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs on Tuesday officially proclaimed Oct. 18, 2019 Pilot International Founders Day in Cullman. On hand to accept the proclamation were Pilot Club members Connie Byrne (Cullman Pilot Club’s Founders Fund representative) and Peggy Harris (Alabama District of Pilot International’s Founders Fund representative).
“I am proud to proclaim Oct. 18 as ‘Pilot International Day’ because the achievements and contributions of Pilot Clubs throughout the world deserves special recognition and celebration,” said Jacobs.
Pilot International was chartered Oct.18, 1921, in Macon, Georgia by a group of civic-minded business leaders who combined their diverse talents in the Pilot principles of “Friendship and Service” to improve the quality of life in communities throughout the world. To celebrate the club’s founding and to honor the history and tradition of the organization, Oct.18 is set aside every year as “Pilot International Founders Day.”
Today, Pilot International is comprised of nearly 7,000 Pilot Club members and 7,500 Anchor Club members worldwide. The organization’s mission is to influence positive change in communities. They do this by getting together in friendship and giving people an outlet for service. They focus on preparing youth and young adults for service, encouraging brain safety and health, and supporting those who care for others. Pilot International also provides scholarships and grants to support research, education, and community care-giving programs and partners with Project Lifesaver and Brain Injury Association of America.
The Pilot Club of Cullman is very much involved in our community. Some local projects that the Cullman Pilot Club are involved with include:
- Pilot Light Home: This was the Cullman Pilot Club’s first community service project. Developed in 1982, the Pilot Light Home provides safe shelter, food, and clothing for children in need in our community.
- Margaret Jean Jones Center: The Margaret Jean Jones Center provides day-time care and attention for adults with brain-related disorders. Local Pilots provide entertainment, books, cookouts, refreshments, story-telling, and more for the attendees. Pilots also throw a Christmas party each year for the attendees of the center.
- Field of Miracles: The Cullman City Parks, Recreation, and Sports Tourism Department’s Field of Miracles is a multi-use sports complex featuring the Miracle League Field, a rubberized field surface that can accommodate athletes of all capacities. Pilots provide support and encouragement for Field of Miracles participants as well as scholarship money for those who may not be able to participate in the Miracle League Baseball program.
- Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults: This is a place where campers with disabilities can participate in horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, water sliding, water tubing, and other camping activities in a safe environment. Cullman Pilots, along with other Pilot Clubs throughout Alabama, raise money to support building and maintaining this nationally recognized therapeutic recreation facility.
- Alzheimer’s Support Group: Sponsored by Cullman Regional Medical Center, this support group is for caregivers of family or friends with Alzheimer’s. Cullman Pilots provide refreshments and a program for this group, as well as friendship and conversation.
- Pilot International: The Pilot Club of Cullman contributes funds to support the overall focus of Pilot International: Brain safety, brain research, and assistance to those living with brain-related disorders, injuries, or disabilities.
“Y’all do a lot in the community,” said Jacobs to Pilot Club members Peggy Harris and Connie Byrne. “The Pilot Club is a great organization with great members who really care about helping folks in their communities, and we thank you for all you do.”
Harris and Byrne are also representatives of the Pilot International Founders Fund, a program that assists local Pilot Clubs in their efforts to serve and meet the needs of others. The program has an extensive grant program and also provides scholarships to support graduate and undergraduate students working in fields related to Pilot International’s main areas of service focus.
In the “Pilot International Founders Day” proclamation, Jacobs encouraged citizens to learn more about Pilot International and about our local Pilot Club of Cullman. To find out more about the Pilot Club of Cullman visit www.pilotclubofcullman.com or email info@pilotclubofcullman.com.
Other resources include:
- Pilot International: www.pilotinternational.org
- Alabama District of Pilot International: www.alabamadistrictpilot.com
- Pilot International Founders Fund: www.pilotinternational.org/pilot-international-founders-fund/
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