Nicholas Air Flies Teddy Bears to Children’s Hospitals

Nicholas Air held its fifth annual Stuff The Plane charity event, bringing together employees, pilots, and community partners to raise funds and deliver teddy bears to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, and Children’s of Mississippi Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.

The initiative pairs fundraising with hands-on volunteer efforts, with Nicholas Air team members assembling, packaging, and personally delivering comfort items to pediatric patients. Company pilots play a central role by transporting donated teddy bears to partner hospitals and engaging with families and staff during deliveries.

“Our pilots don’t just excel in the cockpit. They also find ways to make a meaningful impact to our communities by playing a big part in events like Stuff The Plane,” said Abby Carlton, director of recruitment. She added that pilots demonstrate leadership both through their Part 135 flying roles and through volunteer efforts that support children in need.

For many pilots, including those transitioning from military or commercial aviation backgrounds, participation in the event reinforces the company’s emphasis on service and community engagement alongside flight operations. Nicholas Air said the program reflects its belief that aviation can support causes beyond transportation.

Amber Magee, community development coordinator at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, said the donated teddy bears provide comfort and encouragement to children receiving care and help create a sense of normalcy for patients and families.

Nicholas Air said donations supporting the Stuff The Plane program remain open through its online store.