Prairie Pilot Club of Wichita is a non-profit, 501c3 charitable, volunteer service organization, chartered in 1962. We are affiliated with Pilot International, which was founded in Macon, GA in 1921. Pilot members are from across the United States, the Bahamas, and Japan, and proudly serve needs in our communities. The name Pilot has nothing to do with airplanes. It actually was inspired by riverboat pilots along the rivers in the south during that era, representing leadership and guidance. Hence, our Logo of the riverboat wheel. Pilots are “Dedicated to Service and Committed to Brain Health.”
We are a very active service club:
New this year, Prairie Pilot Club held a Bicycle Helmet Safety Rodeo in May for 3rd and 4th graders and their families at Riverside Elementary. We fitted the children and other family members as needed with free bicycle helmets donated by Pilot International and our Club. It was a very successful event, which we plan to repeat at another elementary school next year.
We assist and provide cookies at monthly client luncheons and other events at AbilityPoint, which serves persons with intellectual developmental disabilities (formerly The Ark of Sedgwick County). Last year our club and Pilot International jointly awarded them a $2,000 grant to help with their clients’ participation in community events, summer camps, and other outings. Prairie Pilot was honored to receive the “Programs Volunteer of the Year” Award from them this year.
We assist and provide desserts for monthly luncheons of the Veterans Providers Coalition which brings together organizations that provide services to Veterans in Sedgwick County. Over the past few years, Pilot International and our Club have awarded grants for needs of two organizations within that Coalition--Midwest Battle Buddies (training support dogs for Vets) and Cloud Nine Riding Center (horse therapy for Vets & others with brain related disorders.)
Other service projects include monthly Bingo at memory care centers; a teen Valentine Party at Wichita Children’s Home; assisting with exercise classes at Club Parkinsons; “Pick Me Ups” to caregivers and/or First Responders; and collections of needed items for children and Veterans.
Watch for information on our upcoming November Holiday Fundraiser as part of “Christmas in Riverside”.