Below is a sampling of AAI's media coverage over the past two years.
Please access this link for a more comprehensive list of
news articles and stories about Airline Ambassadors.
Use the links below to jump to area of interest.
Most Current:
- Another Face of American Airlines, October 19th 2011, By Dina Pinos & David P. Michaels
- June 2010, Vivanista profiles AAI member and mission coordinator, Daniella Cracknell.
- May, 2009 "Business Traveler" magazine cover story,
"Going to Give."
February 2008
February 2008
Television – 2007
2/28/07 UNTV (United Nations Television) – 2007 School Competition Launch:“My Right to Decide”
AAI and Paz Y Cooperacion launched their 2007 School Competition at this televised press conference, sponsored by the Mission of Spain. Posters were unveiled in six languages, calling upon students and teachers to reflect upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
2/16/07 NBC Nightly News - Nationwide Broadcast
Journalist Kerry Sanders highlights this national news piece on Airline Ambassadors International. Highlighting the history of AAI and its work around the world. The TV crew joined a mission to El Salvador and shows examples of the team traveling to make a difference.”
1/1/07 American Airlines In-Flight Video -- Change for Good Program
American Airlines began a new in-flight video on AA international flights. The video highlights six Airline Ambassador mission coordinators visiting UNICEF projects in Peru and encourage s passengers to give excess change to UNICEF. AAI logo is displayed as a partner in the program.
Print – 2007
2/4/07 Miami Herald – Hundreds Show up for Day of Charitable Work
Article on kids from Miami based schools who collected toys and sent letters and pictures on the Airline Ambassadors mission to El Salvador. Hundreds shoed up to participate and AAI teams will take the Friendship Bags to orphanages and clinics around the world.
2/1/07 Cherokee Centenal – Miracle of Love
Article on child from the mountains of Haiti – Dr. Albert Sweitzer Hospital, that was escorted by Airline Ambassadors to North Carolina for surgery, and who’slife was changed. She also touched the lives of host families and those that helped this heartwarming effort.
1/1/07 Skyword Magazine - The Value of Volunteerism
Feature article on the new Champions for Children program spearheaded by AAI in recruiting AA flight attendants to help collect passengers donations for UNICEF. APFA has been very supportive of this program and endorses the effort by Airline Ambassadors. Part of a program of the Congressional Caucus on Human Rights.
Recognition 2007
1/24/07 Mencion de Honor del Ministirio del Relaciones Exteriores
Angel Award Certificate presented to Nancy Rivard from the First Lady of Ecuador – Maria Beatriz de Palacio, in acknowledgement of the excellent work of Airline Ambassadors in Ecuador.
Print – 2006
12/4/06 USA TODAY – When the Movie Theater Fits in your Hand
Feature article on AAI member Frank Chindamo and his new device to play movie shorts on cell phones. AAI short is now featured on Sprint phones. Frank is producer for a possible feature film on AAI. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/2006-12-01-handheld-movies_x.htm
12/1/06 Christian Science Monitor – When the Movie Theater Fits in your Hand
Feature article on AAI member Frank Chindamo and his new device to play movie shorts on cell phones. AAI short is now featured on Sprint phones. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/2006-12-01-handheld-movies_x.htm
11/15/06 Diario de Hoy – Entregan Donativo en Rancho Quemado
Article on Airline Ambassadors team delivering a planeload of supplies to remote villages near Rancho Quemado – near the Honduran Border. AAI teams brought tools for training local men in building skills and cooking items for women, building a sustainable future for these communities left outside the social service structure for either country.
8/1/06 Employment Security Commission- Paraguay Native Makes Unforgettable Mission
Three page feature on AAI member Petrona Melagro who returned to her home country with a humanitarian team delivering computers, school supplies, backpacks, clothing and shoes to remote communities.
10/06/06 Flagship News – AA to launch new UNICEF Champions for Children Program
Half page feature article on new Champions for Children program to support UNICEF’s Change for Good Program on AA’s international flights. This all volunteer, employee led initiative will launch with a new in-flight video on Dec. 1, 2006.
9/20/06 Half Moon Bay Review – Airline Non-profit calls Moss Beach Home
Half page feature article on Airline Ambassadors by reporter mark Longpre, highlighting AAI’s new move to the coastside and efforts helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and around the world. http://www.hmbreview.com/articles/2006/10/05/news/business/story1.txt
8/15/06 Executive Travel – Helping the Less Fortunate while taking time off Reporter Margaret Jaworski wrote this feature article on “Voluntourism” as executives donate part of their vacations to local projects. AAI is mentioned as one of four organizations with who opportunities are available to “travel and make a difference”.
6/3 Lives of Style – Jaqueline Miller, San Francisco Examiner
Feature article about AAI member Jackie Miller and her efforts to help children and women in Chennai, India. AAI plans regular missions to this adopted project in the future.
April Holidays for Humanity, Natural Health Magazine
Feature article quotes Nancy Rivard in a review of how volunteer travel delivers adventure, scenic beauty and a chance to make a difference in the world.
3/2l From Wakefield to Bolivia, Wakefield Observer, Boston
Article on AAI members Paula Moran and her husband Stephen, and how they collaborated with Don Valerio of Who’s got Junk to get wheelchairs for their humanitarian efforts in Bolivia.
3/8 Pakistani Women Quake Survivors Finding New Voice, New York Times, New York
Article features AAI mission to Pakistan with 1000 AA blankets and other supplies, led by Maryann Havryluck. The article, written on International Women’s Day, features positive signs of women’s empowerment in the area, but emphasizes they still awesome need for these survivors.
Copy of story at http://www.churchworldservice.org/news/archives/2006/03/410.html
1/19/05 El Diario – Embajadores de Amor
This major feature on the front page highlighted the airplane of aid and volunteers working in El Salvdor this week working with the Ministry of Foreign affairs.
1/9/05 La Prensa – El Salvador – Grupo Humanitaridad Ayuda
This article covered the JetBlue mission with Dr. Patch Adams who funded and constructed in entire clinic in the Hollows of El Salvador near the Honduran Border.
Radio – 2006
3/18/06 C970 AM K-News Radio – National Broadcast with Peter Greenberg
15 minute interview with Nancy Rivard regarding volunteer vacations and options for spring break for young people – traveling to make a difference as an alternative.
Presentations – 2006
9/28/06 Marina Middle School – Bhutan – Youth to Youth program:
Dave Douglas, Dennis Beckman and Nancy Rivard presented to a group of 6th grade students about the country of Bhutan. They collected letters and cards from the students and challenged them to create a video and mural to exchange with their counterparts. Dave Douglas is planning on personally delivering the donations and letters in early Nov.
8/06/06 University of San Francisco Marketing Department:
Nancy rivard and John Barkis presented to students about the challenges and rewards of running a non-profit organization. Many students were interested in getting involved.
3/2/06 Humanity in Action Fellows – United States Congress
Invited presenter by Congressman Lantos, Nancy Rivard presented to 15 graduate fellows as part of a program of the Congressional Caucus on Human Rights.
Recognition 2006
11/24/06 Mencion de Honor de El Instituto nacional de la Ninez y Familia (INNFA)
Award Certificate presented to Nancy Rivard from the First Lady of Ecuador – Maria Beatriz de Palacio, in acknowledgement of the excellent work of Airline Ambassadors in Ecuador.
8/29/06 Heroes of the Hurricane Award
Heroes of the Hurricane Award presented to Airline Ambassadors by the Governor of Mississippi. His acknowledgement was in honor of the important efforts of Fred and Elaine Osborn in helping the community with Feeding Programs after the disaster as well as with holiday celebrations and humanitarian needs in the community.
8/06/06 Thinking Rich – Tim Richardson:
AAI was chosen as the charity of choice for the keynote address Thinking Rich to a conference of 300 US based Credit Unions – Tim gave an inspiring speech about the value of “true riches” in giving back, and awarded to Airline Ambassadors International the honor of being one of the 10 richest in the world.
6/8 Superintendent’s Award for Outstanding Character and Citizenship:
Awarded to Airline Ambassadors International by St. Tammany parish Public Schools in honor of our work helping schoolchildren in the area – victims of Hurricane Katrina.
