Board Members

Celebrating Our Incredible Volunteers: A Night of Gratitude and Impact

On Tuesday March 4, 2025, Above the Clouds hosted our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, and what an unforgettable night it was! From inspiring conversations to well-deserved recognitions, it was an evening dedicated to the people who make our mission soar—our incredible volunteers.

Whether you joined us in person or were with us in spirit, we want to take a moment to reflect on the past year’s impact and the exciting journey ahead.

Looking Back on 2024 – A Year of Impact

In the past year, Above the Clouds served 86 children, each with their own story, challenges, and dreams. Through the dedication of our volunteers, we were able to provide life-changing experiences to children facing illness, loss, disabilities, and other hardships.

Here’s what we accomplished together:

✈️ Dream Flyers soared to new heights, experiencing the thrill of flight for the first time. With every takeoff, we saw confidence, joy, and excitement grow.
Our Discovery Aviation Days reached over 50 high school students, introducing them to career possibilities in aviation and igniting new aspirations for the future.
We partnered with organizations like LifeWorks, Special Olympics, The Jimmy Fund Clinic, and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, ensuring that children from all walks of life had access to adventure and inspiration.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication, generosity, and heart of our volunteers. You are the reason our mission continues to grow, and for that, we are endlessly grateful.

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Honoring Our Outstanding Volunteers

During the celebration, we took a moment to recognize a few extraordinary individuals who have gone above and beyond:

  • Alyssa Hanlon, a devoted Flight Coordinator who has been a vital part of ATC since high school. Her leadership and enthusiasm ensure every Dream Flyer and their family feels welcome and supported.
  • Nathan Griffith, whose dedication to Discovery Aviation Days has introduced countless high school students to the world of aviation, inspiring them to dream bigger.
  • Mark Hanson, a committed volunteer pilot and board member who has spent years providing life-changing flights for patients, families, and those in need.
  • Greg Bongiorno, our Board President and volunteer pilot, whose leadership and mentorship have helped shape the future of Above the Clouds.

These individuals represent the very best of ATC, and we are beyond grateful for their contributions.

Looking Ahead – Join Us for the 2025 Dream Flight Season!

With another incredible year behind us, we are already looking ahead to what’s next! Our 2025 Dream Flight schedule is now live, and we encourage all of our volunteers—pilots, coordinators, and ground crew—to sign up for upcoming Dream Flight Days.

View the Dream Flight Schedule & Sign Up

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your generosity, passion, and belief in our mission make all the difference. We can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in 2025!

Above the Clouds Honors Founders Gary and Martha Oberstein with Emeritus and Advisory Roles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ray Santos, Executive Director
ray@abovethecloudskids.org, M: 617.429.2774, O: 617.918.7344 

 

ABOVE THE CLOUDS HONORS FOUNDERS GARY AND MARTHA OBERSTEIN WITH EMERITUS AND ADVISORY ROLES

 

Norwood, MA — Above the Clouds is proud to announce that Gary Oberstein and Martha Oberstein, the organization’s founders and longtime board members, have accepted honorary and advisory roles in recognition of their extraordinary contributions and lasting legacy.

Gary Oberstein will now serve as Chairman Emeritus of the Board, and Martha Oberstein as Board Member Emeritus. In addition, both will take on Special Advisor roles to the Executive Director and Board of Directors, where they will continue to support Above the Clouds in key areas of growth and outreach.

As Special Advisors, Gary and Martha will focus on strengthening relationships with community-based nonprofits and referral organizations, ensuring that Above the Clouds continues to connect with children who can most benefit from its mission. They will also play a pivotal role in board recruitment and cultivation, leveraging their deep institutional knowledge and extensive networks to help expand the leadership that guides Above the Clouds forward.

“Gary and Martha built something truly remarkable, and their passion, leadership, and vision have transformed the lives of so many children and families,” said Ray Santos, Executive Director of Above the Clouds. “We are honored that they will continue to be a part of our organization in these meaningful roles. Their wisdom, relationships, and storytelling ability will help us grow in ways that only they can make possible.”

“I am truly honored to be named Chairman Emeritus of the Board for Above the Clouds. Believing in joy as medicine, Martha and I set out to create a unique charity that would use the wonder of flight to bring joy, hope, and inspiration to kids and teens facing serious adversity of all kinds. Twelve years later, we are tremendously grateful for the many volunteers who worked with unwavering passion and dedication to help ATC accomplish what it has.  With the guidance of our Board Chair and new Executive Director, I am confident the organization will continue to thrive and make a lasting impact.”

Above the Clouds was founded with the belief that aviation has the power to inspire and uplift children facing adversity. Thanks to Gary and Martha’s leadership, the organization has grown into a widely respected nonprofit, partnering with pilots and volunteers to provide unforgettable flight experiences for children in need.

For more information about Above the Clouds and its mission, please visit www.abovethecloudskids.org.

About Above the Clouds:
Founded in 2013 and based in Norwood, MA, Above the Clouds is a nonprofit organization that leverages the transformative power of flight to inspire hope and joy in children and teens facing serious challenges. With nearly 900 lives touched, the organization continues to soar towards its mission of creating brighter futures.

Above the Clouds Board Member Mark Hanson Joins a Mission of Hope and Conservation

In a touching blend of environmental stewardship and heartfelt dedication, Mark Hanson, a Board Member of Above the Clouds, played a key role in a recent Turtles Fly Too mission, transporting endangered sea turtles to marine medical facilities in Florida. The mission was dedicated to the memory of Bonnie Freeman, a young girl who inspired a legacy of pediatric cancer research before her untimely passing in 1983.

Turtles Fly Too, an organization coordinating volunteer general aviation pilots like Hanson, relocated 60 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles rescued from rapidly cooling waters near Boston. This critical effort ensured the turtles could receive life-saving care in Florida. The operation also celebrated the incredible achievements of Bonnie’s family, founders of Stop Children’s Cancer, which has raised over $23 million for pediatric cancer research.

Learn more about this impactful mission and Mark Hanson’s involvement by reading the full article on AOPA’s website.

Stay inspired, and let’s continue to support those making a difference in both the skies and our communities!