Southwest Airlines Community

Debbie, this is amazing. I applaud what you and the SWA team are doing. I'm looking for a point of contact within SW. I started www.thextramile.org after losing my dad to pancreatic cancer. We are a 501c3 npo and our mission is to connect people to their terminally ill loved ones through donated air miles. Would you have anyone specific for me to talk to about partnering with your team? Keep up the amazing work. Matt ... View more

A friend of mine posted a link to this article on my FB page, because he is aware of a charity I started in June called, aptly, The Extra Mile. My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in November 2011, and the way the tumor had developed, it was unremoveable. I had just moved to Los Angeles with my wife in August, and not knowing how long he had left, I began scheduling flights back to see him in Michigan (usually on SW). At least once a month I would fly back, rent a car and spend 3-4 maybe 5 days soaking up and reminiscing about good times with him, and creating some new ones. During this extremely stressful span, I spent a lot of time on your airplanes, and when I wasn’t crying about the idea of not having having a dad, I thought about those people in similar situations who couldn’t afford to do what I was doing. I couldn’t imagine not being able to see him, especially knowing that at any time I could get a call saying he was gone. So after posting a question on FB to see if anyone had heard of a charity that's purpose was to get donated FF miles (and cash donations) to allow those less fortunate visit their terminally ill family members and loved ones coming back with 100 comments in support of it, I did just that. I created The Extra Mile in my late father's honor, and I am going to help people. We are awaiting response on our 501 (C)3, but have a website (www.thextramile.org) a FB page (www.facebook.com/thextramileorg) and a twitter account (@thextramile). To me, your airline is the absolute perfect for this, so much so that the logo even has some crossover. Anything that I can do to partner or get involved with SWA, I would be absolutely honored. The chance, to be on your list of partners for 2013 would mean more to me than I can describe. I will look into the grant link above as well to try and make it in there too. Thank you for your consideration. Matt Dimmer Founder, The Extra Mile ... View more