Delta is matching member-donated miles through the Delta SkyWish Program to Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles program and Luke’s Wings for the entire month of November.
By Judy Graham-Weaver, Community Engagement
In honor of Veterans Day, Delta is supporting veterans, active service members, and their families by matching member-donated miles through the Delta SkyWish Program to Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles program and Luke’s Wings for the entire month of November. For the seventh year, Delta will match donations up to an aggregate total of 10 million miles donated to these two organizations through SkyWish, the charitable arm of the SkyMiles Program. SkyMiles Members can donate miles to more than 30 charitable organizations worldwide through SkyWish. Learn more about SkyWish and how to donate miles to these two organizations at delta.com/veterans.
Fisher House Foundation’s Hero Miles program and Luke’s Wings use donated miles to provide air travel to wounded, injured or ill service members and veterans as well as their families, connecting military members with their loved ones for support while they undergo treatment and recovery. Delta and its SkyMiles Members have donated a total of 148 million miles to these two organizations since the promotion began.
“Delta is proud to partner with our customers to give back to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for others,” said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director – Community Engagement. “Through this partnership, we are able to aid in the healing process by connecting injured veterans and service members with their loved ones at a time they need it most.”
Saving military and veteran families more than $525 million since inception, Fisher House Foundation provides “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers, hosting them at no cost at one of the 92 Fisher Houses throughout the U.S. and Europe. Delta has supported the construction of the VA Long Beach Fisher House in Long Beach, Calif., a Fisher House facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Seattle, and two homes at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in New York.
Since its inception in 2008, Luke’s Wings has provided complimentary airfare to wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their loved ones throughout recovery and rehabilitation. Luke’s Wings plays a vital role in connecting military families on their journey to recovery, ensuring no emergency or long-term travel costs stand in between our heroes, their loved ones and the care they need. With over 13,000 flights provided to date, Luke’s Wings has a goal of providing another 2,000 in 2021 alone, bringing mental, emotional, physical and financial support to ensure our wounded service members and their families can navigate recovery and rehabilitation together.
With 10% of the company’s employees currently serving or having served previously in the armed forces, Delta is committed to supporting active military and veterans throughout the U.S. In addition to Fisher House Foundation and Luke’s Wings, Delta’s support of the military includes Camp Southern Ground; the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation; Folds of Honor Foundation; Gratitude America; Marine Toys for Tots; Serving Our Troops; the USO; Veterans Empowerment Organization in Atlanta; and airport military lounges, including the Freedom Center in Detroit, the Armed Forces Service Center in Miami and the Minnesota Armed Forces Service Center.
Delta’s Veterans Business Resource Group (VBRG) is a voluntary organization committed to making Delta a great place to work by engaging employees and supporters of veterans of the armed services. VBRG serves as a resource for members by fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace aligned with Delta’s core values and Flight Plan. The mission of the Veterans Business Resource Group is to provide professional development and networking opportunities to employees, families, and spouses who served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces.
