Joy as Medicine: Above the Clouds - 1 views

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  #1 Mark Dempsey on 16 Sep 13

   

  Gary Oberstein, a labor and employment attorney, has recently founded a charity with his wife Martha,based at Norwood airport, called "Above The Clouds". The charity is committed to spreading joy and hope through the wonder of small aircraft flight. Above the clouds has two programs, Dream Flyers and Cadet Flyers. The Dream Flyers program pairs volunteer pilots who donate their time and their aircraft to provide seriously ill, disabled and underprivileged children a day of fun. "It's all about making a really exciting day for kids who may not otherwise have too much fun in their lives" said one volunteer.
  Every weekend during the spring, summer and fall, Above the Clouds gives seriously, disabled and underprivileged kids a chance to soar high above their problems. Dream pilots fly over the child's home and significant landmarks before passing over the controls and giving the child the opportunity to fly the plane. After landing, it's off to the pilots lounge where refreshments are served, photos taken, and the dream flyer is presented their own personalized flight jacket and aviator sunglasses.
  In addition to the Dream Flyers program, Above the Clouds runs the Cadet Flyers program, in which underprivileged youth have the opportunity to learn to fly. Cadet flyers are teamed up with a volunteer flight instructor in a challenging journey that can culminate with their first solo flight. The Cadet Flyers Program is a direct response to the growing number of young people who are either falling through the cracks at school or are involved with social service agencies due to poverty issues or difficult home situations. The drop-out rate in the Boston Public Schools, for example, is 34.1%. Schools and social service agencies have been searching, often without success, for that elusive motivational tool that will serve as the conduit to encourage these teens to apply themselves, stay in school, achieve and follow a path toward a better future. Above the Clouds steps in to provide that missing motivational tool - the "coolness" of flight and the allure of learning to fly an airplane. Above the Clouds uniquely provides this programing on a cost-free basis for teens in need. It Inspires a sense of hope in the future by expanding the perspective of young people to make them aware of life's possibilities.
  It builds a sense of responsibility by establishing goals and following through on commitments. It teaches the value of education as a means to achieve a goal, and develops discipline, integrity and self-esteem.
  Founder Gary Oberstein is the managing partner of Nixon Peabody LLP's Boston office and an instrument-rated private pilot. As a practicing labor and employment attorney for 24 years, he has been legal counsel to dozens of charitable organizations. He sits on the boards of several charities that serve the needs of children. He also sits on the board of IMC Club, International, an organization serving instrument-rated Pilots. Gary has lived in the Boston area since 1986 and has had the joy and privilege of flying out of Norwood Memorial Airport for the past eight years. He has volunteered his piloting skills to provide free airplane rides in his Piper Saratoga (6-seater) through charity auctions and events for the past several years. Above the Clouds was born out of his desire to pair his passion for aviation with his wish to help seriously ill, disabled and underprivileged youth. A growing squadron of volunteer pilots is thrilled to volunteer their time, along with Gary, to provide airplane rides for Above the Clouds.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">Gary Oberstein, a labor and employment attorney, has recently founded a charity with his wife Martha,based at Norwood airport, called "Above The Clouds". The charity is committed to spreading joy and hope through the wonder of small aircraft flight. Above the clouds has two programs, Dream Flyers and Cadet Flyers. The Dream Flyers program pairs volunteer pilots who donate their time and their aircraft to provide seriously ill, disabled and underprivileged children a day of fun. "It's all about making a really exciting day for kids who may not otherwise have too much fun in their lives" said one volunteer. <br /> Every weekend during the spring, summer and fall, Above the Clouds gives seriously, disabled and underprivileged kids a chance to soar high above their problems. Dream pilots fly over the child's home and significant landmarks before passing over the controls and giving the child the opportunity to fly the plane. After landing, it's off to the pilots lounge where refreshments are served, photos taken, and the dream flyer is presented their own personalized flight jacket and aviator sunglasses. <br /> In addition to the Dream Flyers program, Above the Clouds runs the Cadet Flyers program, in which underprivileged youth have the opportunity to learn to fly. Cadet flyers are teamed up with a volunteer flight instructor in a challenging journey that can culminate with their first solo flight. The Cadet Flyers Program is a direct response to the growing number of young people who are either falling through the cracks at school or are involved with social service agencies due to poverty issues or difficult home situations. The drop-out rate in the Boston Public Schools, for example, is 34.1%. Schools and social service agencies have been searching, often without success, for that elusive motivational tool that will serve as the conduit to encourage these teens to apply themselves, stay in school, achieve and follow a path toward a better future. Above the Clouds steps in to provide that missing motivational tool - the "coolness" of flight and the allure of learning to fly an airplane. Above the Clouds uniquely provides this programing on a cost-free basis for teens in need. It Inspires a sense of hope in the future by expanding the perspective of young people to make them aware of life's possibilities. <br /> It builds a sense of responsibility by establishing goals and following through on commitments. It teaches the value of education as a means to achieve a goal, and develops discipline, integrity and self-esteem. <br /> Founder Gary Oberstein is the managing partner of Nixon Peabody LLP's Boston office and an instrument-rated private pilot. As a practicing labor and employment attorney for 24 years, he has been legal counsel to dozens of charitable organizations. He sits on the boards of several charities that serve the needs of children. He also sits on the board of IMC Club, International, an organization serving instrument-rated Pilots. Gary has lived in the Boston area since 1986 and has had the joy and privilege of flying out of Norwood Memorial Airport for the past eight years. He has volunteered his piloting skills to provide free airplane rides in his Piper Saratoga (6-seater) through charity auctions and events for the past several years. Above the Clouds was born out of his desire to pair his passion for aviation with his wish to help seriously ill, disabled and underprivileged youth. A growing squadron of volunteer pilots is thrilled to volunteer their time, along with Gary, to provide airplane rides for Above the Clouds.</div>

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