Story ID: 510
Dart Auction Benefits HFI Scholarship Program
By: Marisa Bojiuc
Caption: The donation by Dart Aerospace raised $7,750 for the Helicopter Foundation International.
Word Count: 218
Dart Aerospace (Booth C5551) donated an AS350/355 field maintenance kit to the Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) for its silent auction, which raises money for HFI's pilot an mechanic scholarship program. The Dart donation resulted in a $7,750 donation to the scholarship fund. The winner of the kit, which is designed to help technicians transport tools for off-site maintenance, was Hector Gonzalez Weeks, who works for Aeroservicios Especializados.

“We are happy to be giving back to the helicopter industry,” said Alain Madore, president and CEO of Dart Aerospace. “Helping raise money to support the new generation of pilots and mechanics, all while contributing to the industry’s history and its future, is important. We are proud to be part of this community.”

“This is the first example of someone reaching out to us proactively and saying we have an idea of auctioning off one of our items to benefit your foundation,” said HFI vice president Allison McKay. “It is a great model for other companies that maybe don’t have $10,000 to donate to a foundation, but want to do something.”

HFI is the charitable arm of the Helicopter Association International. Its three missions are to preserve the history of the industry, provide safety education, and educate the next generation of helicopter professionals.