Angel Flight

After 21 years of teaching school children, Atlanta native Amy Kramer (’88) relocated to St. Simons Island with her 11-year-old son and found a second calling that makes her heart soar.

As the executive branch director of the St. Simons Island Angel Flight Office, Kramer is serving those in the community with special needs. Angel Flight is the original non-profit volunteer pilot organization serving those who reside in or are traveling to or through the states of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and the Carolinas. They also work with other “angels” throughout the country to assist those with needs beyond their region.

Her father, Jack Cantrell, who pilots missions for the organization, first introduced Kramer to Angel Flight. She began working as volunteer scheduling flights or “missions” for those in need of medical care. In September 2009, the organization opened the St. Simons Island Branch and Kramer was asked to come aboard as director. With children as 65 percent of their passengers, Kramer’s new position doesn’t stray far from her teaching days.

“I accepted the job on the spot,” said Kramer. “I am very fortunate – I love working with and helping people. This allows me to do that.”

Kramer, who did her student teaching at Goodyear Elementary in nearby Brunswick, earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Georgia Southern.

“I learned a lot during my time at Georgia Southern. The teachers in my major field were great. You could tell they really cared about their students. I learned to work hard and was well-prepared to go into the classroom,” said Kramer.

She went on to earn her master’s in early childhood education while teaching in Atlanta. “Just being on campus, I was exposed to so many different dynamics of people. I learned acceptance of others and to take a walk in their shoes.”

Since she has taken on the role of director, Kramer has been charged with spreading the word about the services Angel Flight provides, recruiting more pilots, fundraising for the non-profit and, most importantly, teaching others that through giving back we can all become angels.

“Just seeing people get the help they need is worth all the hard work,” said Kramer. “The overwhelming appreciation of the parents and the generosity of our pilots is humbling. It is so rewarding to see the smiles on their faces.”

Angel Flight not only provides medical transportation for those in need, but also provides compassion flights and “first response” flights during medical crises, all at no cost to passengers. The organization flew medical transport missions and delivered medical personnel during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

“Just to know that we help to sustain their lives means so much,” said Kramer.

Angel Flight is supported by private and corporate donations. Contributions are used to cover the costs of mission coordination, community outreach, education and pilot recruitment.

For more information on Angel Flight click here.

— Marla Bruner