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    New Organization Helps Underserved Youth Fly High Through the Sky, and Life

    A unique fundraiser could make dreams come true for struggling kids—and anyone who wishes they could afford more bling.

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    The Capital City Young Aviators Diamond Event will be held on March 30, from 4 – 8 p.m., at the Powell location of Yabo’s Tacos, 4046 W. Powell Rd. People who attend this fundraiser can enter a special raffle by buying a plastic shot glass filled with frozen water. Winning shot glasses will contain a bingo ball with a number matching the prize board. 

    The biggest prize? A 1-carat diamond. Others prizes include diamond earrings, a TV, and 40 other raffle items donated by the community. 

    The money raised will go toward a new charity known as the Capital City Young Aviators (CCYA), which will provide mentoring to youth who are at risk of not reaching their life goals due to a lack of resources and positive role models. 

    That counsel will happen as kids are taught how to pilot a private aircraft. 

    “Through the attraction of airports and flying in a small private plane, we feel we will be able to provide not only a new educational experience, but we’ll use this time with the student to also talk about the benefits of community service—as well as discuss the importance of career options and development, what it takes to dream, reach their goals, and become anything they want in life,” said Jay Lindner, the program’s founder. 

    The fundraiser was designed to provide CCYA with enough resources to fund the cost of 15 flights and professional instructor time, along with other necessary expenses.

    Lindner said he grew up in a family that assisted many children through foster care and adoption.

    “I learned early that providing resources to those in need is a great way to have a dramatic impact on someone else’s life,” he said. 

    As Lindner grew into adulthood, he continued the tradition of giving back by participating in a variety of programs, including Junior Achievement, Kiwanis, Big Brother/Big Sister, Nationwide Children’s Reach out & Read program, Future Possibilities and others for more than three decades

    Throughout the years, he also became a private pilot and purchased a small plane. 

    “Many times, I took family and friends for a flight,” he said. “Any pilot will tell you how much they enjoy sharing the experience and seeing the joy on their guests’ faces throughout the entire experience.  It is something that is truly unique and should be shared when possible.” 

    Eventually, he decided to marry his two passions: aviation and helping underprivileged youths. It wasn’t long before he began to assemble the organization that would eventually become CCYA. 

    Before climbing into the sky, each student will need to attend several training sessions to learn aviation basics. But that’s not all. This time will also be spent teaching them about community service and other career development opportunities. 

    After their first flight, they will also have the chance to enjoy simulator flights, visit an air control tower and an aviation mechanics garage, along with other career development and community service events. 

    “While we would love to gain new future pilots or flight mechanics out of this program, the real goal is for more kids to choose education, self-worth, and confidence to achieve a career that is right for them,” Lindner said.

    In other words, the sky’s the limit.

    For more information on the CCYA Diamond Event, visit www.ccyayoungaviators.org/events.  

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    Chris Alexis
    Chris Alexishttps://www.columbusunderground.com/
    Chris Alexis is a freelance writer for Columbus Underground. He has been crafting pieces since he could put pencil to paper and fingertips to keyboards. His work runs the gamut, including award-winning news articles, web articles (he also writes for Us Weekly), and helping a former NFL executive grow his international speaking career. He graduated (twice!) from The Ohio State University, with degrees in communications and journalism. He’s also a huge movie buff (of all genres) and loves spending time with his wife and kids.
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