Holiday Spirit Takes Flight at Meacham International Airport
As American Aero Hosts Seventh Annual Toys for Tots Toy Drive
FBO buys and collects more than 200 toys and bikes for kids during holiday celebration
FORT WORTH, Texas (December 11, 2019) – Instead of airplanes, Hangar 11N at Meacham International Airport was filled with holiday tables and rows of children’s bicycles today, as guests of the seventh annual American Aero FTW holiday luncheon filed in with their own gifts to brighten the holidays for a child in need.
The annual celebration hosted by American Aero, a fixed base operator (FBO) that serves the ground handling needs of private aviation customers, benefits the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. This year’s event collected nearly 200 toys and bikes donated by American Aero and its clients, tenants, vendors, and area first responders.
Since opening its doors in 2012, American Aero has purchased more than 600 bicycles and helped gather another 1,400 gifts. Toys for Tots benefits about 150,000 children throughout Tarrant and surrounding North Texas counties by gathering new, unwrapped toys to distribute as Christmas gifts.
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Smith, coordinator for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program. “It is truly satisfying to watch that pile of toys and gifts grow and to know that area children will benefit from the generosity of American Aero and the local aviation community.”
In addition to supporting Toys for Tots, over the years American Aero has contributed $116,000 to the Navy SEAL Foundation, with funds earmarked to support scholarships for SEALs interested in earning a pilot certification. The FBO also played a lead role in renovations at Meacham International Airport and was ranked the #1 FBO in Texas and the Southwest in the 2019 Aviation International News FBO Survey.
“The American Aero team is known for going above and beyond for customers and that commitment extends to our philanthropic efforts as well,” said Robert M. Bass, founder of American Aero. “It is gratifying to know that the gifts donated here today will help lift the spirits of children in need this holiday season.”
The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
Visit Toys for Tots Online.
About American Aero FTW
Founded in 2012, American Aero FTW is a fixed-base operator (FBO) located at Meacham International Airport (KFTW) in Fort Worth, Texas. The business is focused on refueling, ground handling, servicing, and storing of business and private aviation aircraft and provides extensive crew and passenger amenities. American Aero consistently ranks as one of the best FBOs in the world in the Aviation International News FBO Reader Survey. It is also one of only a handful of FBOs in the world to earn the industry’s highest safety certification—and has the longest history of IS-BAH (International Standard of Business Aircraft Handling) accreditation from the International Business Aviation Council. American Aero is an AvFuel branded and Signature Select™ affiliated FBO. It is the primary tenant and only FBO in the airport’s administration building and offers 300,000 square feet of leasable hangar and office space. More information can be found at www.AmericanAero.com.