Kentucky aviation groups team up to serve Ukrainian children in a big way

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Those in Ukraine are going through unimaginable times, including children who have suffered personal loss. On Monday, these kids were given a Kentucky experience from brand new heights.

It’s one thing to visit the Bluegrass State, but seeing it from a plane is a different story. Children from Ukraine involved in groups like ‘With Ukraine in Heart’ and ‘U4UKids’ traveled to Frankfort for an aviation-filled day. Tetiana Soloshchuk is part of ‘With Ukraine in Heart,’ where the goal is to make these children’s dreams come true.

“A lot of people stepped forward to make this time for them unforgettable,” Soloshchuk said.

Dream Flight Charities hosted this event at Capitol City Airport, where Wings Flight Club and Wings Flight Training partnered with other local aviation groups to serve these kids, especially with the ongoing trials they’re facing. Johnson Cannon is the manager of Wings Flight Club.

“The big thing here is the mission, and the mission being to bring joy to these kids who were coming out of an exceptionally difficult circumstance in Ukraine. Each of these kids that we see has lost their father in the ongoing war. Our mission today is to help bring joy to these kids and get them an experience through aviation,” Cannon said.

The day gave them the experience of taking off from the runway, gracefully soaring the Kentucky skies, and even simulation flights. Adrian Reynolds is the founder and CEO of Wings Flight Enterprises. Reynolds said a big goal of this event is to introduce these children to the world of aviation, giving them something to potentially look forward to doing in the future.

“The possibilities are endless. Just encourage them to look at what they might want to do in the world of aviation or in the world in general. It doesn’t have to be in aviation, but hopefully this experience can open their minds and hearts to recognizing that they can really do great things and lead a fulfilling and awesome life after all the tragedy they’ve been part of,” Reynolds said.

In 2 weeks, the children will travel back to Ukraine to be reunited with their mothers.