In the News

Miranda’s Day in the Air. A Dream Flight to Remember!

At just 9 years old, Miranda has big dreams — and plenty of talent to match. As an autistic child, she’s highly gifted, deeply sensitive, and always attentive to the people around her. She’s also a huge fan of Pikachu, Pokémon, anime, manga, LEGO, Minecraft, and recently traded piano lessons for the drums — because this future rock star marches to her own beat.

But on this special day, Miranda took to the skies instead of the stage, flying with our longtime supporter and first-time Dream Flight pilot Charles Evan in his Beechcraft BE-36 Bonanza. As always, Miranda’s bright personality, endless curiosity, and gift for connecting with others made the day even more special for everyone involved.

At Above the Clouds, we create unforgettable flight experiences for kids of all abilities who are facing adversity — helping them see just how high their dreams can soar.

Huge thanks to Charles and to all our volunteer pilots, supporters, and families who make Dream Flights possible!

Jeymill’s Dream Flight

Jeymill dreams of becoming a pilot one day. He knows his airplanes — he’s especially a fan of Airbus — but today he got to experience something even better: taking the controls himself.

Thanks to our volunteer pilot Adam, Jeymill and his uncle Hector soared above the clouds in Adam’s sporty Cirrus SR22. And while Adam handled the takeoff and landing, Jeymill flew most of the way — getting one step closer to his aviation dreams.
At Above the Clouds, we give kids facing adversities the chance to experience the freedom and confidence that flight can bring. For kids like Jeymill, it’s not just a ride — it’s inspiration for the future.
Huge thanks to Adam and all of our amazing volunteers and supporters who help make Dream Flights possible.

Blue Skies at Last: A Joy-Filled Dream Flight Day

After a long stretch of rainy weekends and postponed plans, Above the Clouds finally took to the skies again on Sunday, June 1—and it was nothing short of magical.

We were thrilled to fly nine incredible kids, ages 9 to 16, many of whom had been patiently waiting through multiple reschedules due to weather. These resilient Dream Flyers came from across Massachusetts—and one even made the two-hour journey from Connecticut!

This special day was made possible thanks to the dedication and generosity of 33 amazing volunteers, including:

  • 8 volunteer pilots who donated their time, talent, and aircraft

  • 5 flight coordinators who ensured everything ran smoothly on the ground

  • And a full team of photographers, joy makers, greeters, and support volunteers who made every moment fun, welcoming, and memorable

We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this day a success. Each smile, high-five, and joyful takeoff reminded us why we do this work—and how powerful it can be for children facing adversity.

Join Us for the Next Dream Flight Day – June 28!

We’re already looking ahead to our next Dream Flight Day on Saturday, June 28, and we’re actively recruiting:

  • Pilots

  • Flight Coordinators

  • Photographers

  • Joy Makers and General Event Volunteers

If you’re interested in being part of the magic, we’d love to have you join us.
Click here to confirm your availability for June 28

Know a Child Who Could Be a Dream Flyer?

Above the Clouds serves children and teens (ages 6–18) who are facing serious adversity—whether it’s illness, disability, the loss of a loved one, foster care, or financial hardship. A Dream Flight is a joyful, one-of-a-kind experience meant to uplift and inspire.

If you know a child who could benefit, we invite you to learn more and apply:
Apply for a Dream Flight

Thank you again to our volunteers, partners, and supporters who continue to help us bring hope and joy to kids who need it most. We couldn’t do this without you!

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Dream Flight Day Rescheduled to Sunday, June 1 – Important Details

Dear Dream Flight Families, Pilots, Flight Coordinators, and Volunteers,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s briefing. As expected, we have made the decision to reschedule this weekend’s Dream Flight Day to Sunday, June 1 due to the weather forecast.
Dream Flight Day Details:
Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
Time: First flight scheduled for 9:00 AM – volunteers should arrive by 8:30 AM
Location: Above the Clouds, Norwood Memorial Airport, 125 Access Road, Building #7, Norwood, MA 02062
If this is your first time visiting, we are located in Building #7, the same building as Flight Level Aviation and Avis Rental Car. Above the Clouds is on the second floor.
Parents and Guardians
If you or another adult plan to accompany your child on their Dream Flight, please complete the Passenger Release and Waiver prior to Sunday. The form is required for any passengers boarding the aircraft.
Passenger Release and Waiver Form
We appreciate those who have already informed us if they’re unable to pivot to Sunday—thank you for your timely communication.
Pilots
Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled flight time.
If this will be your first time volunteering with Above the Clouds, we recommend arriving earlier to meet fellow pilots and volunteers and sit in on flight briefings.
Additionally, all pilots must complete the Pilot Affirmation of Currency prior to their flight:
Pilot Affirmation of Currency
Flight Coordinators
If you haven’t already done so, please reach out to your assigned Dream Flyer’s parent or guardian as soon as possible. Confirm whether any special accommodation is needed and ensure that the Passenger Release and Waiver has been completed.
Volunteers
Please plan to arrive by 8:30 AM (30 minutes before the first Dream Flight of the day) so we can go over safety procedures and volunteer roles.
If you are a new volunteer and have not yet submitted your application, please do so using the link below:
Volunteer Application
  • Under 18: You must complete the application prior to Sunday.
  • 18 or older: Please complete it as soon as possible so we can finalize your background check.

May 17 Dream Flights – Weather Cancellation & Next Steps

Unfortunately, while there will be a window on Saturday without rain, the forecast is predicting low clouds between 200–700 feet, which is well below the minimums Above the Clouds sets to fly and provide a positive experience for the children we serve. As a result, we will need to cancel the Dream Flights planned for May 17.

We know this is disappointing—especially after other recent weather-related cancellations—and we are truly grateful for your dedication and flexibility.

We will work with families to reschedule these Dream Flyers to one of the following options:

  • Our next Dream Flight Day on May 31
  • A future scheduled Dream Flight Day
  • An individual Dream Flight during the workweek

To those who have already committed to May 31—thank you! We’re looking forward to a great day with about 10 Dream Flyers and 10 pilots, including three first-time pilot volunteers.

If you haven’t yet let us know your availability for May 31, you can do so using the link below:

Click Here to Confirm Your Availability for May 31st Dream Flight Day

Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for better weather at the end of this month and throughout the summer. Thank you again for being part of the Above the Clouds family—your time and commitment mean the world to us.

Above the Clouds Featured on WCVB-TV Chronicle

Above the Clouds was featured on Chronicle, WCVB-TV Channel 5’s beloved and long-running news magazine, in a special episode celebrating aviation in New England.

This powerful segment follows 13-year-old Jake, one of our Dream Flyers, and his flight with volunteer pilot Chris Steward, capturing the joy, confidence, and healing that take flight through our mission. You’ll also hear from Board President Greg Bongiorno and see behind the scenes of a Dream Flight Day in action.

For our team, this moment is especially meaningful. One of our founder Gary Oberstein’s early dreams was to see Above the Clouds featured on Chronicle. We’re proud to have fulfilled that vision—and grateful to share this story with the wider community.

Make a Gift
Refer a Child
Volunteer

Thank you for being part of the Above the Clouds family.

Above the Clouds Featured on Chronicle

We’re thrilled to announce that Above the Clouds will be featured tonight, May 6 at 7:30 PM on Chronicle, WCVB-TV Channel 5’s award-winning news magazine!

This special episode is all about Taking Flight in New England—from nostalgic balsa wood airplanes made in Wakefield, to space suits built in Worcester (including one worn by astronaut Sunita Williams on her recent mission), to a behind-the-scenes ride aboard the Sky 5 news chopper. The episode also highlights the legacy of a visionary scientist whose early experiments helped shape modern rocketry.

We’re honored to be one of the featured stories.

Our segment follows volunteer pilot Chris Steward, Dream Flyer Jake, and his dad as they take to the skies with Above the Clouds, showing the powerful impact flight can have on children facing serious adversity.

Watch the Promo

Don’t Miss It

Tune in tonight, Monday, May 6 at 7:30 PM
WCVB Channel 5 – Chronicle

www.wcvb.com/chronicle

This is a big moment for us—and for the children and families we serve. We’d love for you to watch and share the episode with others who may want to support our mission.

Whether it’s by volunteering, making a referral, or making a donation, you can help bring the joy of flight to even more kids across the region.

Thank you for helping us lift children’s spirits and dreams—one flight at a time.

April 27 Dream Flight Day Canceled – Next Steps

After closely monitoring the weather forecast, Above the Clouds has made the difficult decision to cancel Dream Flight Day originally scheduled for Sunday, April 27.

While it would technically be safe to fly—thanks to our highly experienced, IFR-rated pilots—the conditions are simply not ideal for creating the joyful, inspiring experience we want for our Dream Flyers.

Here’s why:

  • The cloud ceiling is expected to remain low at the altitudes most flights operate, meaning our Dream Flyers would have little to no outside visibility. Seeing the world from above is a huge part of what makes a Dream Flight so magical.

  • Windy conditions, although safe, would likely make flights bumpier than we prefer, especially for children flying for the first time.

At Above the Clouds, our mission is not just about getting kids into the air—it’s about creating magical, unforgettable first flight experiences. If we can’t deliver that magic, we would rather wait for a better day.

What Happens Next?

We are already working to add additional Dream Flight Days in May to reschedule the Dream Flyers originally scheduled for April 27.
This will allow us to accommodate everyone without impacting our regularly scheduled Dream Flight Days. We will reach out soon with more details and new scheduling options.

Stay Updated

We will continue to post important updates on our News and Updates page.
Please check back regularly for the latest information.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact Ray Santos at 617-429-2774 (call or text) or via email at ray@abovethecloudskids.org.

Thank you again for your incredible flexibility, patience, and support. We are so grateful for your dedication to our mission—and we look forward to seeing you at a future Dream Flight Day under better skies!

Aviation Discovery Day at Plymouth Airport

Aviation Discovery Day at Plymouth Airport!

Twelve 7th grade students from Brighton High School—part of Apprentice Learning’s mentoring program—got a hands-on introduction to the exciting world of aviation at our latest Aviation Discovery Day!

Hosted in partnership with the Cape Cod Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology Program, the day was filled with engaging STEM experiences. From flying drones and learning about weight and balance, to trying their hand at sheet metal manufacturing, these students got a unique glimpse into life in the skies—and behind the scenes.

Huge thanks to our incredible volunteers from Women in Aviation, Cape Cod Community College, and the Above the Clouds team for inspiring the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals. ‍✈️

Students left the day not only with new skills, but also with real conversations about career paths in aviation, thanks to pilots and industry experts who joined us on the ground.

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#AviationDiscoveryDay #AboveTheCloudsKids #STEMEducation #FuturePilots #WomenInAviation #CapeCodCommunityCollege #ApprenticeLearning #InspiringTheNextGeneration

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.