Amazing Kick Off to the 2026 Dream Flyer Day Series

This past weekend, Above the Clouds completed its first Dream Flight Day of the 2026 season and despite a few weather-related speed bumps, the day was nothing short of extraordinary – as most Dream Flight Days are. We launched into the morning with low clouds, but in true Above the Clouds fashion, our amazing team rose to the challenge.

Our Dream Flyers, many of whom face steep climbs in life due to illness, disabilities, or personal hardships, reminded us of what resilience really looks like. They showed up ready to fly with big smiles and ready to embrace an experience that takes them far beyond the weight they carry.

And much like them, our pilots and all of our wonderful volunteers were equally resilient. They navigated delays, adjusted flight plans, and worked together seamlessly to make this final event of the season truly shine.

Through teamwork, patience, and a shared commitment to our mission, we left the turbulence behind and reached smooth skies together.

 

Images below are from past Dream Flight Days

Flying Through Turbulence: A Powerful Finish to Our Dream Flight Season

This past weekend, Above the Clouds completed its final Dream Flight Day of the 2025 season and, despite a few weather related speed bumps, the day was nothing short of extraordinary.

We launched into the morning with low clouds, shifting forecasts, and a bit of uncertainty. But in true Above the Clouds fashion, our team rose to the challenge. Our Dream Flyers, many of whom face steep climbs in life due to illness, disabilities, or personal hardships, reminded us what resilience really looks like. They showed up ready to fly, ready to smile, and ready to embrace an experience that takes them far beyond the weight they carry.

And just like them, our pilots and volunteers were equally resilient. They navigated delays, adjusted flight plans, and worked together seamlessly to make this final event of the season truly shine. Through teamwork, patience, and a shared commitment to our mission, we left the turbulence behind and reached smooth skies together.

Below is a gallery capturing the joy, bravery, and magic of the day.

As we close out the season, we are also launching our end of year fundraising campaign. To continue offering these transformative Dream Flights, we depend on the generosity of people who believe in lifting children above the clouds and into a world of possibility.

A donation of any size gives us the tailwind we need to fly even further and higher next year.
If you’re able, please consider making a gift today to support our work in 2026 and beyond.

Thank you to every pilot, volunteer, partner, and supporter who makes these moments possible. Together, we are truly helping children rise.

Every Dream Flight Keeps Getting Better

This past Saturday, October 25, eight incredible children took to the skies at Norwood Memorial Airport for a day they will never forget. Each Dream Flight Day is special, but this one reminded us again why we do what we do.

With clear skies and calm air, our Dream Flyers experienced pure joy and freedom as they soared above the clouds, leaving behind worries, challenges, and limitations on the ground. Smiles, laughter, and a few happy tears filled the hangar as families watched their children’s dreams take flight.

Thank You

We are deeply grateful to the amazing pilots who made the day possible: Charles, Adam, Servet, Bob, Paul, Peter, and Cristian. Your generosity and compassion embody the heart of Above the Clouds.

To our volunteers, including flight coordinators, joy makers, photographers, and ground crew, thank you for giving your time, energy, and heart to create a day that these families will cherish forever.

Looking Ahead

Now we are gearing up for our final Dream Flight Day of the year on Saturday, December 6 (Rain Date: Sunday, December 7), a very special day dedicated to Gary and Martha Oberstein, the founders of Above the Clouds and the inspiration behind our mission to bring hope and joy to children facing adversity.

We are aiming to make this the biggest and best Dream Flight Day yet, and we would love for you to be part of it.

How You Can Help

Volunteer: Whether you are a pilot, photographer, or someone who loves helping kids smile, there is a place for you

Donate: Your gift helps us continue offering these life-changing experiences free of charge.
Make a donation

Spread the Word: Share our story with your friends, colleagues, and networks so more families and volunteers can discover the joy of Dream Flights.

Each Dream Flight reminds us that hope has no limits and that a single day can change a child’s outlook forever. Thank you to everyone who helps make these magical moments possible. Together, we are lifting spirits and changing lives, one flight at a time.

Perfect Weather, Incredible Kids, and the Best Dream Flight Day of the Year

This past Saturday, September 27, was one for the books. With the clearest skies and smoothest air of the season, we celebrated our biggest and best Dream Flight Day of the year. Thanks to our amazing community of pilots, flight coordinators, joy makers, photographers, and ground crew, nine extraordinary children got to take to the skies for an unforgettable experience.

Over 20 volunteers joined us, each one giving their time, energy, and heart to make the day magical. A special thank-you goes out to Keith Cavella from Dunkin’ for coming out to lend a hand and support the day. Your generosity and enthusiasm helped make our families feel so welcomed.

Stories of Strength and Courage

Our Dream Flyers showed extraordinary resilience. Some were completing treatment for cancer or living with autism and communication challenges. Others faced rare genetic disorders, vision loss, or serious heart and lung conditions. A few were coping with developmental delays, anxiety, or bullying. Despite these hardships, each child left their struggles on the ground and soared with joy, confidence, and hope.

Thank You

To our pilots, volunteers, and supporters: thank you for making this day possible. Your generosity, your skills, and your spirit are what keep Above the Clouds flying. We are grateful for every hour, every smile, and every moment you share with our Dream Flyers and their families.

Join Us

We’re already looking ahead to our next Dream Flight Day on Saturday, October 25th, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

If you’re already an ATC volunteer, sign up here.

If you’re new and want to join our team, start your application here.

Together, we are bringing joy, confidence, and hope to kids who need it most. Thank you for helping dreams take flight.

Blue Skies, Smiles, and Soaring Dreams

After a stretch of tough weather, we are thrilled to finally be enjoying consistent clear skies and perfect flying conditions for our Dream Flights. This past weekend’s Dream Flight Day brought together an incredible group of kids and families, and once again our volunteers made the magic happen.

One parent shared this note after their child’s flight:

“You and your team were absolutely amazing from beginning to end. We can’t thank you enough for a once in a lifetime type experience. He was excited to fly over Ashland and see familiar things. He loved that he actually got to fly the plane. The bomber jacket and sunglasses were the cherry on top. He told his dad they are chick magnets.”
—Jamie & Brady

Moments like these are only possible because of the generosity and dedication of our volunteer pilots, flight coordinators, joy makers, photographers, and ground crew. You are the heart of Above the Clouds.

We are already preparing for our next Dream Flight Day and would love for you to join us.

If you are already an ATC volunteer, sign up here: Volunteer RSVP – Existing Volunteers
If you are new and would like to join our volunteer team, start your application here: Volunteer Application – New Volunteers

Thank you for helping us bring the joy and wonder of flight to kids who need it most. Together, we are making dreams take flight.

Brady Becomes a Pilot for the Day with Above the Clouds

Ray, You and your team were absolutely amazing from beginning to end. We can’t thank you enough for a once in a life time type experience. Here are some photos from yesterday. He was excited to fly over Ashland and see familiar things. He loved that he actually got to fly the plane. The bomber jacket and sunglasses were the cherry on top, he told his dad that they are chick magnets…

Love,
Jamie and Brady

Clear Skies and Full Hearts: Dream Flyers Soar with Above the Clouds

What a day! After weeks of weather delays, the skies finally cleared and our Dream Flyers took to the air for an unforgettable Saturday at Norwood Memorial Airport.

One of our favorite moments came when Cynthia Laine of the Black Autism Coalition brought her son Ryan out for a Dream Flight. Ryan brought his younger brother Kendrick along for the ride—and both boys got to experience the magic of flight thanks to Bob George, one of our longtime volunteer pilots.

Bob served in Vietnam as a Marine Corps pilot, flying 118 combat missions in A-4s and later A-6s. These days, he’s flying a different kind of mission—bringing joy and inspiration to kids in his Piper Saratoga.

We’re also grateful to Peter Storer and Dana Quinn, who each flew two Dream Flyers to make sure no child was left grounded. That’s the Above the Clouds spirit in action.

We’re already looking ahead to our next Dream Flight Day on Saturday, August 23 and we’re actively recruiting volunteer pilots, flight coordinators, photographers, joy makers, and ground crew to join the fun!

Want to volunteer?
Learn More

Know a child who could benefit from the Dream Flyer program?
Learn More

Aviation Discovery Day with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South

What an incredible Aviation Discovery Day at Cape Cod Community College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at Plymouth Airport! Teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro South got an inside look at the world of aviation
From learning how to weigh and balance an aircraft, to shaping real sheet metal parts, to exploring drone photography (and even flying drones themselves!)—these future aviation pros dove into hands-on learning and left inspired by the many career paths the skies have to offer.
Huge thanks to our amazing partners at Cape Cod Community College, Women in Aviation’s Nor’Easters of Cape Cod Bay Chapter, drone instructor David Price, and of course our friends at Boy &Girls Clubs of Metro South for making this Aviation Discovery Day one to remember!

 

 

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!

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.

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!