This wasn’t my first time in New York City, nor was it my second. But it was definitely my first time to experience a Southwest city opening, and my first time to head up a Share the Spirit volunteer effort in a city we’ve so quickly grown to LUV.
With applause still ringing in the air as we “rapped” up the press conference Sunday morning--officially kicking off service at LaGuardia Airport (LGA)--several Employee volunteers loaded into a bus and headed to New York City’s Flushing Meadows Park for a little “hands on” action. As with every Southwest city that we serve, our goal is to give back to the community through our Share the Spirit efforts. And you better believe New York is no different. While the city may be big and the volunteer opportunities endless, in true Southwest fashion, we found a way to serve NYC.
Just a stones throw away from LaGuardia, you can find a peaceful paradise within “the city that never sleeps.” The 1,255 acre Flushing Meadows Park is filled with family-friendly attractions including a zoo, several museums, a botanical garden, a recreation complex, and a baseball stadium; just to name a few.
And while you can see families gathering for picnics, soccer games, and participating in just about any outdoor activity you can find, the park itself needed a little TLC--that’s where Southwest Airlines stepped in. With gloves and trash bags in hand, we got to work “beautifying” the park. We had a team of volunteers picking up trash as far as the eye could see, and another set of volunteers painting the park benches that lined the entrance of the park and the main thoroughfare.
No matter how big (or small) the task may be, Southwest Airlines Employees are always ready to Share the Spirit and take on a new challenge. New York City, we’re here and ready to serve!
Comments
please help fatty at http://www.fatcyclist.com/
Southwest, you have the best rep in the world for helping. Do help this man and his family. Do some commercials with him. Do whatever it takes.
He's trying so hard to help all of us.
Yet another of Fatty's friends - this time in the UK. This man and his efforts to fight cancer are truly remarkable. If you can help him to help others through his truly staggering fundraising efforts then I implore you to do so.
Mark K
This is another FoF's (Friend of Fatty's). I am amazed at the community that has developed around this family, I call myself a friend but have never met them. Elden has set a bar, for caring and loving and family that is much needed in society today. It would be great if Southwest could show their support for people who are trying to make a difference. Because in the midst of all of this, Elden is not looking at himself or his family alone, he has taken up the fight for many who are battling cancer and is doing phenomenal work to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation which supports many people who need assistance during the fight with Cancer.
Come on Southwest show you strength and join the fight!
I'm one of the most distant Friends of Fatty living in Adelaide Sth Australia and i would also like to add my voice to the cause. I understand your policy to not donate to individuals but this is not an indivividual it's a movement. Fatty while being absolutely devoted to Susan is fighting back against her Cancer the only way he can and that is by helping to beat Cancer for everybody . By marshalling the troops Fatty is currently making the biggest impact in the history of Livestrong and I would have thought it would be a good move for an organization such as yours to get on board as well as just a good thing to do. I will not be riding at Austin but rest assured if you were supporting us when I next get to the US I will be supporting you.
Cheers.
Go Fatty and WIN Susan
P.S. Fatty is a champion blogger with a huge audience maybe the word donation could be replaced by sponsorship. In the words of another member of Fatty's Army I'm not saying ..... I'm just saying.
Jeremy - Australia
Brian (SW), thanks for your reply and while we understand the policy, this is more a corporate to non-profit type of donation as the money raised by the donation of a flight would all go to the LAF and not directly to an individual. What you may not understand about the community of the Fat Cyclist is that it goes well beyond one brave, inspired struggle against this awful disease. It is really about how that sturggle has galvanized that persons husband to band together a huge online community that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the fight against cancer. Maybe you could be that galvanizing influence at SouthWest who bucks the official policy and the "times are tough" economics and simply advocates to add a plane ticket to an effort that will surely add 10x the value of that ticket and certainly untold more good pr as well. Just a thought but something you might consider. Thanks again on behalf of the Fat Cyclist community fighting for Susan and for everyone struggling with cancer.
Another reader here from Fat Cyclist.
I see you posted it's not your "policy" to donate tickets to individuals. Please consider standing behind your community rather than your policy. We are strong in the thousands and we will be so grateful for you to help him in this time. Please.
In the sense of enlightened self-interest, it would be a very good move for your airline. And I promise I will fly with you.
Brian, thanks for your quick response to the outpouring of support for Susan and Elden "Fatty" Nelson, and for the link to SW's charitable support policy. The page is helpful and clear on what constraints apply to charity-related requests.
There is one additional indirect way in which Southwest may be able to help support Team Fat Cyclist. We are by far the largest team participating in this year's Livestrong Challenge, with nearly three hundred team members collectively registered for the Philadelphia and Austin Livestrong events, which will take place in late August and October, respectively.
If Southwest can issue our team a group discount on reservation rates (and possibly some form of discount on bringing bicycles along on our flights), our team members can each apply the savings towards their own individual fundraising goals.
I'm already booked to fly Southwest for the Austin event, and looking forward to my travels with you. It would be wonderful if we could encourage many of my fellow "Fatties" to fly Southwest as well.
Hello, another "Friend of Fatty" here. I applaud the volunteer effort that has been instilled in the Southwest community. That is wonderful - I actually did not know that until coming here just now.
This is an effort I would like to support in the future - and I will do so by choosing Southwest when possible.
Elden "Fat Cyclist" Nelson is an amazing human being. The fact that he is still a functioning human being amazes me. In the 3 years I have been following Fat Cyclist, I have watched Elden juggle homelife, working, taking care of his 4 children, taking care of Susan, and trying to take care of himself. He does an amazing job.
And through all of that - he has managed to give back. Through his blog, he has helped bring together thousands of people who have helped him raise nearly $350,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation!!! $350,000 - and the year isn't even over yet!!!
We are fiercely loyal to Fatty, and are willing to do anything to help. Unfortunately - I have no miles to donate. I don't even accumulate miles because I don't know how.
But, Southwest - you could be part of something really big and wonderful here. Please, I implore you - donate roundtrip airline tickets to the cause! Help us help Fatty raise money to eradicate cancer. A disease, by which 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with - at lease once in their life.
Do the right thing Southwest!! Please!!
WIN SUSAN!!!! WIN SUSAN!!! WIN SUSAN!!!
As a friend of Elden and Susan, please consider a gift that will go a long way towards helping others.
Thanks for your time