December, 27, 2010
NBAA Member company Sky Limo this year collected over $5,000 in Toys for Tots donations for needy children in south Florida and “flew” the toys on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 in a Sabre 60 business jet. High-speed cruise for both flights was estimated at two to three knots.
“We ‘flew’ the airplane in two big holiday water parades here in South Florida,” said Damian Lopez, Sky Limo Director of Business Development. “Our Sabre 60 jet was mounted on a barge on the Intracoastal Waterway for participation in both the Seminole Hardrock Winterfest Boat Parade and the Pompano Boat Parade.” The company arrayed thousands of unwrapped toys beneath the airplane during the parades, much to the delight of more than one million children and adults watching live and on TV broadcasts.
Sky Limo, an air charter company based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, has contributed to numerous local charities in south Florida since its founding in 1998, and this year’s Toys for Tots effort will help cheer more than 100,000 underprivileged children in south Florida. The mission of Toys for Tots is to provide hope for less fortunate children and encourage them to become responsible, productive and patriotic citizens.
“We’re always looking to further immerse ourselves in the community,’” said Sky Limo owner Tom Conlan, “and this was a unique opportunity to do just that.”
The jet-on-a-barge had a large illuminated man-made moon floating above the airplane as a disc jockey played dance songs and a Frank Sinatra impersonator sang “Fly Me To The Moon.” Six of the company’s uniformed flight attendants and several black-tied businessmen waved at spectators from the float while dancers from a local college danced to the music.
Lopez said that many employees of Sky Limo brought toys or made cash contributions to the effort.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.