A Message from Gary & Martha
Dear Friends,
Thank you for visiting our personal Above the Clouds giving page.
As the founders of Above the Clouds, we have had the privilege of watching this organization grow from a small idea into a mission that has brought joy, hope, and unforgettable moments to hundreds of children and teens facing serious illness, disability, or other profound adversity. Although we have stepped back from day to day operations, our commitment to this work and to the young people we serve remains as strong as ever.
As we approach the end of the year, we hope you will join us in supporting a mission that is deeply personal to us. Your tax-deductible gift helps ensure that Above the Clouds can continue providing life-changing Dream Flights and aviation experiences to the children who need them most.
Click the “Why it Matters” tab for a message from our Executive Director, Ray Santos, that shares more about why your support is so urgently needed. When you are ready to make a difference, click the “Make a Gift” tab or button. Every contribution helps lift another child above the clouds.
Thank you for your generosity and for helping us carry this vision forward.
With gratitude,
Gary and Martha Oberstein
Founders and Board Members Emeritus
Special Advisors to the Executive Director and Board of Directors
A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
When I joined Above the Clouds last December, I made it my mission to help this organization climb back to altitude. In recent years, we faced serious challenges and disruptions that weakened our network of partners and funders, but we’ve begun to rebuild much of that foundation and are on our way to flying higher than ever.
This year, Above the Clouds will have served more than 100 children and teens through our Dream Flight, Aviation Discovery Day, and Virtual Dream Flight programs, a 20% increase over last year. Each flight gives young people facing serious challenges a chance to rise above their circumstances and see new possibilities.
We’re also nearing a major milestone: 900 children flown since our founding.
Behind that number is Finn, a 12-year-old who recently completed treatment for leukemia. He still goes for regular bloodwork to make sure he has what he calls “happy blood.” The son of an active-duty Coast Guard member, Finn has lived in four states and Guam. After his parents’ divorce and his dad’s move to Alaska, he struggled with missing him deeply. A Dream Flight gave Finn something he hadn’t had in a while, a day of adventure, excitement, and joy that was all his own.
This year we also:
- Reconnected with past partners and built dozens of new relationships, nearly doubling our referral network.
- Improved communication with pilots and volunteers to make participation easier.
- Nearly doubled attendance and tripled funds raised at our 7th Annual Wings of Legacy event with sponsors like Cape Air and the Allied Pilots Association.
We are proud of these accomplishments, but to keep delivering life-changing experiences in uncertain times, we need you.
Will you step up today? If you have supported Above the Clouds before, will you renew your gift? If you have volunteered or seen our impact firsthand, will you join us as a donor? Your commitment lifts children like Finn into a world of courage, joy, and possibility, one flight at a time.
With gratitude,
Ray Santos
Executive Director