South Bend, IN. – On Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. St. Joseph County Airport Authority Board President David Sage will present a $7000 check to Kent Laudeman, Director of the Robert L. Miller Sr., Veteran’s Center, to assist local veterans as a result of the fifth annual Bears in the Air Program. This is in addition to the 1527 newly purchased teddy bears that were delivered to children in area hospitals in December.
“Over the past five years, we have raised a total of $29,000 to assist the veterans at the Robert L. Miller, Sr. Veteran’s Center,” said Mike Daigle, SBN Executive Director. “We thank our corporate and individual program supporters. It is because of their generosity to the Bears in the Air program that it has grown year over year allowing us to give back to those that have fought for our freedom. It’s our turn to give these individuals a chance to overcome circumstances and reintegrate into society through the help of the Veteran’s Center.”
The fifth annual Bears in the Air collection program began on December 2, 2016 when travelers and the general public were invited to donate a newly purchased teddy bear or make a cash donation. The program provides both the donation of teddy bears to children at Memorial Children’s Hospital in South Bend, Saint Joseph Regional Health System in Mishawaka, Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart and Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph, along with a cash donation to the Robert L. Miller, Sr. Veteran’s Center. A “Bear Den” inside the terminal served as a collection point for the bears.
Due to the support of the community, the program has enjoyed continued growth as an annual event at SBN.
About the South Bend International Airport
South Bend International Airport’s three air carriers provide nonstop flights to ten cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York City/Newark, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg with connections world-wide. South Bend International’s multi-modal terminal serves over one million air, rail and bus passengers each year. According to the 2012 Economic Impact Report from the Aviation Authority of Indiana, South Bend International’s total annual economic impact on South Bend and surrounding communities was in excess of $1.7 billion.
For additional information, please refer to www.FlySBN.com or get social with SBN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN), Twitter (@SBNairport) or Instagram (@SBNairport) to stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the South Bend region.
