Originally published in the March 1985 TigeReview
Employees contribute time $20,000 to help the starving and Ethiopia
On January 29, 1985, a Flying Tigers B-747 jetfreighter loaded with some 234,700 pounds of relief goods touched down in a Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, culminating a humanitarian effort conceived and accomplished by Flying Tigers employees throughout the airlines worldwide system.
Employee effort
The airlift, dubbed Flying Tigers “Lifelift”, was entirely planned and implemented by employees and showed the Tiger spirit that has distinguished the airline in this type of operation throughout the company’s nearly 40 year history. Aircraft time had been arranged and Flying Tigers personnel, including ramp, flight and others, volunteered to load, fly and maintain the aircraft and raise funds for fuel.
With the help of Interaction, a coalition of private and voluntary relief organizations, medical and food supplies most needed in Ethiopia were appropriated among relief organizations active in the East African nation. Fuel for the aircraft was provided by donations from several fuel companies, and the relief organizations with goods on board the flight, as well as employee contributions. Flying Tigers employees contributed approximately $20,000 towards fuel for the operation.
“Flying Tigers’ employees throughout our worldwide system had voiced their concern for the victims in Ethiopia,” said Executive Vice President Lewis Jordan, “and then supported it with positive action. We are proud of our people who contributed their time and resources to this vital relief mission and pleased that the service capabilities regularly available to the shipping public could be employed for this worthy cause.”
Medicine Supplies
Relief supplies including antibiotics, vaccines, vitamins and oral rehydration salts, blankets, clothing, and rice were consigned to Catholic Relief Services, Adventist Development & Relief Agency, AFRICARE, MAP International and the Red Cross. Fuel companies donating aviation fuel essential to the operation were Langham-Hill Petroleum Company Ltd., Mercury Refueling Inc., CITGO Petroleum Corporation and the Sun Oil Company.
“Flying Tigers employees can take great personal satisfaction in knowing that their support and financial donations made this flight a reality,” said Jordan. “It was a fine tiger effort from start to finish.”