American Aero Hosts Drive-Thru Toy Drive at Meacham Airport

American Aero customer service member Lindsey Leland, general manager Angela Thurmond, customer service representative Sara Smith, and members of the U.S. Marine Corps showcase hundreds of gifts donated during the FBO’s annual Toys for Tots toy drive.The holiday spirit was on display at Meacham International Airport this week, as American Aero FTW, a fixed base operator (FBO) serving private aviation customers hosted a drive-through toy drive to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. American Aero team members greeted clients, tenants, airport visitors and personnel as they dropped off hundreds of new, unwrapped children’s gifts to make the holiday a little brighter for local families.

Because of COVID, in lieu of its traditional Toys for Tots luncheon, American Aero kicked off its campaign of giving by presenting a check for $10,000 to the Tarrant Area Food Bank. The FBO has been hosting the annual charitable event since 2014, transitioning from a luncheon to a drive-thru format last year as a safety precaution during the pandemic.

“We are once again overwhelmed with gratitude for the generous hearts of our aviation partners and we know we will be putting smiles on the faces of a lot of children this holiday season,” said Angela Thurmond, general manager of American Aero. “This toy drive is one of our favorite events because it allows all of us to give back to the North Texas community that we serve.”

Over the years, the American Aero Toys for Tots campaign, through the generosity of its patrons, has donated nearly 900 bicycles and helped contribute more than 1,700 gifts to the Marine Corps toy drive. The program benefits about 150,000 children throughout Tarrant County and surrounding North Texas counties by delivering new, unwrapped toys each Christmas.

As Meacham’s (KFTW) premiere FBO, American Aero is ranked #1 in the World in the annual Aviation International News Reader Survey. In addition to supporting Toys for Tots, American Aero has contributed $150,000 to the Navy SEAL Foundation, with funds earmarked to support scholarships for SEALs interested in earning pilot certification.