Passion For Aviation Led To Air Show; Donations Sought
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Siara Sparkman-ssparkman@timesuniononline.com
When Alan Hoover was 7 years old, he discovered his passion for aviation. As the president of Historic Flights Foundation, he wanted to share his passion with children of all ages, and he did this three years ago with the decision to create the Air Show of Warsaw. Over the last three years, the air show has become such a success and outgrown the volunteers and donations needed to continually host it. Hoover has a long history in aviation – from being a jet pilot in the military, a pilot in the Air Force and for the last 22 years as a pilot for Southwest Airlines. He said despite all of his success, he is the most proud of inspiring children with the Air Show. The Air Show started three years ago when Hoover participated in the “Adopt a Pilot” program through Southwest Airlines. Through this program, he would visit fifth-grade classrooms once a week and teach students about different opportunities with aviation. At the end of the program at Jefferson Elementary, he invited the classes to the airport on a Saturday. Only three girls out of 65 students showed up and Hoover was baffled. “They had a great time,” he said. “They were wonderful.” He wanted to do something to inspire more children. This is when the idea to create an air show was born. He said the motto for the Historic Flights Foundation is to “inspire kids young and old and honor veterans through aviation and aviation history.” Hoover had an old plane that could be used for aerobatics and a competition plane. He also had friends who could help. He was expecting 500 to 1,000 people at the first show. To his surprise, more than 5,000 attended. “We were completely unprepared,” he said. “We ran out of parking, ran out of water and food, but everyone had a blast.” He felt this idea was really something important and he started preparing a bigger budget for the following year’s show. “I’ve had a blessed awesome career, because of someone’s interest in me as a kid,” he said. “That’s what we want to do for the kids in our community.” For the second show, the Historic Flight Foundation prepared a $40,000 budget for a two-day event. He said Dr. Dane Miller was a big proponent for this program and he gave some donations. The Kosciusko County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission also supported the efforts of Hoover and the Historic Flight Foundation. Once again, the show brought thousands of visitors of all ages and they decided to ask for a $5 donation for parking, but at the end of the weekend, there was still a difference that needed to be compensated for. Each year, the show is getting bigger and changes are being made to accommodate everyone to continue its success. For the past show, adults were charged for admission, but it was still not enough and they are still paying for this year’s show. Hoover said it is tough with the economy, but ultimately the show is for the children. He said after the show this year, he had two mothers approach him and say their children were getting ready to start their flying lessons because of what they saw at the air shows. This year, roughly 2,000 children ages 12 and younger attended the air show. Hoover said if the show could inspire even 1 percent, or 20 of those children, or change their lives, that’s the goal. “It’s just inspiring to be able to give back the same way it was given to me,” he said. “I feel like the event is larger and more successful at reaching kids in this community than anything I’ve ever been involved in before.” To continue with the air shows, Hoover said there needs to be more community support. He said many people think the airport funds the show, but it does not. He said he is thankful for all of the donors for their support, the volunteers and private donors. Even with the support from donors, Hoover said the air show cannot be self-funded, but must be community funded. He said the main thing right now is the finish paying roughly $35,000 for this year’s show. His wife, Lauri, is organizing volunteers. Anyone interested can call the airport at 574-372-9541. There is also a need for volunteers with funding and marketing, and Hoover hopes to create two six-person committees. He said committee meetings would start after the first of the year. He said there also is a need for people to help with the day of the event with parking, set-up, ticket booths, trash and help with the kids’ activity committee. Preparations for next year’s show are already underway, and Hoover and Airport Manager Nick King said no idea is unrealistic. Letters for support for the major companies and corporations must be submitted by Oct. 1. Hoover said there is a lot of planning involved with this event, and sometimes it’s stressful, and he might lost a little sleep, but he never forgets why this show exists. “To bring an inspiring and fun event to the community and to change kids’ lives, and to see veterans in the military come out here and relive their youth watching these planes fly is just heartening and inspiring,” Hoover said. “That is the value of this event, regardless of what it costs. It’s the lives that are impacted and the kids that are inspired that drives us.”
