About Us
Taking Off
Kids in Flight was founded in 2003 by Maria Weybrecht. The inspiration for the organization came after Maria was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 19, just one month after obtaining her private pilot license. It had always been Maria's dream to become a pilot, but since the diagnoses, she has not been able to pursue that goal. Although she is still battling, her love of flying remains strong. Kids in Flight has become her way of sharing the inspiration, joy and hope of flight with children and families who need it most while giving back to the amazing people who helped her along her road to recovery.
About the Founder
 At just 25 years old, Maria Weybrecht has developed an extensive list of accomplishments. In December 2007, she graduated with a master's degree in business administration and a graduate certificate in non-profit management. In December 2005, Maria graduated as valedictorian and summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in journalism and promotional communication and an emphasis in public relations from Cleveland State University.
As a freshman attending Ohio University in 2002, Weybrecht received her private pilot license. In October 2003, she decided to share her passion for aviation and desire to give back to her community by creating Kids in Flight™. The organization and its annual charity event, Wings of Wonder™, use aviation as a tool to encourage seriously ill children and their families, while giving them an opportunity to experience the joy of flying.
In addition to maintaining excellent academic standing during her undergraduate and graduate years, Weybrecht was highly involved in extra-curricular activities. She co-founded and served as vice president for the Student Association for Professional Communication, an organization developed for communication students interested in applying their skills and education at Cleveland State University. She was also instrumental in the formation of the university's Public Relations Student Society of America chapter. She is a member of many professional organizations, including the Airplane Owner's and Pilot's Association, Ninety-Nines, Public Relations Society of America and Women in Aviation, International.
Weybrecht's notable achievements include being recognized as one of the Top 10 College Women of 2005 by Glamour Magazine, one of Cleveland Magazine's Most Interesting People of 2006 and one of Crain's Cleveland Business' Twenty in their 20s. She also received the Beauty of Giving Award presented by L'Oreal Paris, the Airbus Leadership Award, the Rainmaker of Tomorrow Scholar Award from Northern Ohio Live Magazine, the School of Communication Academic Excellence Award, and the Cleveland Rotary Award for Excellence in Community Service, and was named in the 2005 edition of Who's Who Among American Colleges & Universities.
In addition to serving as president of Kids in Flight, Weybrecht serves as marketing manager for Workflow.com, a leader in health information technology located in Westlake, Ohio.
"They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."
- Isaiah 40:31
Mission Statement
The mission of Kids in Flight™ is to use aviation as a tool to empower seriously ill children and their families through flight experiences and educational programs.
Vision Statement
The vision of Kids in Flight™ is to launch nationwide aviation related events and flight experiences for seriously ill children and their families in order to instill a positive attitude towards their personal crises. Through the creation of an educational curriculum, the organization will provide sensitivity training to create public and government awareness of the problems facing seriously ill children. Kids in Flight will also become a resource for the children and their families both in terms of education and aviation-related topics.
Core Values Statement
The core values of Kids in Flight™ integrate the wonder of aviation as seen through the eyes of children with the positive attitude and perseverance necessary to cope with serious illness through integrity, trust, inspiration, determination and compassion.
Integrity
- We will hold ourselves to the highest standards in our words and actions.
- We will always behave ethically and require similar practices of all those associated with the organization.
Trust
- We will always operate with the safety and happiness of the children as our highest priority.
- We will present the organization and its associated individuals in a straightforward manner.
- We will be a reliable resource for the children and families experiencing serious illnesses and health-related issues.
Inspiration
- We will be role models for a positive attitude and optimistic outlook in all situations.
Determination
- We will provide positive, educational experiences to facilitate perseverance among participant's families through our understanding, experience and knowledge.
Compassion
- We will always be sensitive to the nature and severity of the crises faced by each family
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