Things have quieted down a bit for us with the Wings for Val Foundation since our momentous September event where we raised over $15,000 to support our mission going into 2017. I feel like I’m still recovering in a lot of ways from such an emotionally intense and action-packed weekend; and as things picked up with my day job, it was probably a good thing to take a bit of a breather and recuperate. Part of the blessing and challenge of leading this foundation that encourages women to spread their wings and soar is that I am  simultaneously trying to spread my own wings and soar higher in my chosen profession of nutrition using Val’s legacy as my motivator. Figuring out that balance is my life’s work, but I’m up for the challenge if it means that more young girls and women can feel encouraged to fearlessly and relentlessly pursue their dreams as Val did and as I’m trying to do.

This Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for everyone who continues to support and encourage my family to continue the important work of this Foundation, even in our weakest moments. For these and all the daily challenges life throws at us, Val’s three simple words of wisdom – “Adapt and Overcome”- help to pull us through. We hope they can be a source of strength for you, too. We all need to hear words of support, love (sometimes even tough love), and compassion… and this time of year makes me especially reflective about wanting to be better at this.

As we come to a close of another Thanksgiving and all the shopping frenzy that follows, consider participating in “Giving Tuesday“, a global day dedicated to giving. In true holiday spirit, this day is all about uniting people and organizations around the world to show that the world gives as good as it gets and that ordinary people can come together to do extraordinary things.

Donating to the Wings for Val Foundation will help support our scholarships for women in aviation and other female leadership opportunities that we’d like to develop. We still have a lot of work to do even telling the incredibly inspiring stories of all the women aviators who donated their wings after Val’s death in such a symbolic act of solidarity and sisterhood. To soar more, we’ve got to give more … and your financial contribution will go directly towards inspiring more women to soar!

Wishing you all a very blessed holiday season!

Allison Righter, President