Look To The Stars News: Tomorrow's Aeronautic Museum

LTTS Exclusive: Aviation Angels

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Look To The Stars’ Celebrity Ambassador Rachel Zeskind recently had the chance to find out about Aviation Angels, a philanthropic iniative that has a number of celebrity supporters.

What one passionate man and Hollywood can do in the heart of Los Angeles’ most gang riddled areas to make an impact on the community and the future of Compton’s youth is astounding. In fact, it is almost unbelievable that kids who had no escape from gang violence and drugs have found a safe haven, a realistic hope and a new direction for their future by just looking up to the sky.

Founder, Robin Petgrave

Robin Petgrave, a top Hollywood pilot and successful entrepreneur, changed his aeronautical course drastically after re-evaluating his dreams for the future and the future of the next generation. He had achieved the ultimate success; both financially as well as by reaching the top of his field. That’s when he decided to change his mission. Robin said ‘Why don’t I make my business helping these kids’, and that’s exactly what he has done.

He not only created an after school program – Aviation Angels, where kids ranging from 6 to 18 can use computers, learn about aviation, train as pilots, learn healthy community skills, and even have an opportunity to work towards building up a college fund – but also inspired these kids to explore and go after a whole new future, one that would have never been available to them if it weren’t for Robin and his program. Since it’s start, Robin’s program has had four teens set seven world records in aviation.

Aviation Angels

The program’s goal and message is strong and clear: to empower today’s youth. Today’s youth is faced with many hurdles such as gang and domestic violence, and many other types of dangers, which prevent them from reaching their full potential. The Aviation Angels is a group of advocates that want to help bring these children of tomorrow to a higher ground utilizing tools such as Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and other types of positive programs that will enrich their lives.

The program is partially financed by Robin’s business, Celebrity Helicopters, which captures some of the most intense aerial shots seen on television and in films today. Turning to the Hollywood community for support, a number of celebrities joined forces with Robin to grow the after school program as well as open a museum, Tomorrow's Aeronautic Museum, which is dedicated to the history of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Celebrities such as Randy Jackson, John Schneider (Dukes Of Hazard), Michael Dorn (Star Trek), Christine Devine (Channel 11 News), Richard Gant (Rocky V, Nutty Professor, NYPD, Smallville), Frank Lozano (Producer, Director, Videographer), Justin Urik (How High), Lou Gossett Jr (Roots, Iron Eagles, The Punisher), Billy Zane (Back To The Future, Orlando, Posse), and Omarosa (Celebrity Apprentice) have pulled together in order to help these programs gain exposure as well as to roll up their sleeves and pitch in by donating their time to inspire these youngsters.

On any given day, not only do the children of Compton and the public in general have access to the museum, but the Tuskegee Airmen themselves who drop by to help carry on their legacy and history to tomorrows generations. The Tuskegee Airmen who are involved in the Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum are Otis Cowley, Levi Thornhill, Lee Archer, Col. Charles McGee, Edward Tillman, Ted Lumpkin, Burton Lowe, Jerry Hodges, Franklin Henderson, Lowell Stewart, Bob Maxwell

The Tuskegee Airmen

Until recently when both the museum and Robin’s program, Aviation Angels, gained some sponsorship from UPS, Southwest Airways and Boeing it was Robin’s own personal sacrifices that kept the lights on and the propellers spinning. Now, little by little, with the support of Hollywood and the Tuskegee Airmen, not only are lives changed everyday but also the program continues to grow despite all the odds.

For more information on Robin, the Tuskegee Airmen, Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum and these programs visit:
www.tamuseum.org
www.obap.org
www.tai.org
www.nbcfae.org

Look To The Stars Asks Omarosa

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:47:50 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Omarosa has become the ninth contestant to be “fired” in the latest episode of Donald Trump's The Celebrity Apprentice. Look To The Stars was lucky enough to catch up with her about her passion and her need to give back.

Could you tell us about the organization that you competed for on The Celebrity Apprentice?

It’s a program called the Positive Vibrations Youth Mentoring Program at Tomorrow's Aeronautic Museum in Compton. The program is awesome because it not only teaches the kids a trade and responsibility, but it serves as a safe haven to stay out of gangs, drugs, and violence.

How did you come to be involved with the program?

I was involved in a program that was very similar to it on the east coast regarding aviation. I am very interested in aviation. I learned to fly. I started taking flight lessons and became involved in program for college age kids on the east coast. When I got to LA, I wanted to find a program that was similar and I did. Only, this one is for high school and younger age kids.

What inspires you to give back to the community?

I am a product of the streets. I grew up in the projects and there were a lot of people in my life who reached out to me. They were very generous at a time when I needed them so it is just very logical to me to give back. There is the saying “To whom much is given, much is required” and I live by that.

Stars Compete For Charity On Celebrity Apprentice

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:26:17 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

16 million people tuned into the first episode of Donald Trump's Celebrity Apprentice on January 3, a show in which celebrities work to win money for the charity of their choice. Critics may argue it is a publicity stunt to boost ratings, but when $250,000 is at stake to go to a good cause, all is fair in ratings and charity.

The show marks the 7th series of reality television show The Apprentice, and features a return to the original format of a male team versus a female team. The men’s team named themselves Hydra, and the women have chosen the name Empresario.

Every week, the money earned on a project goes to the team leader’s charity. In the first episode, actor Stephen Baldwin headed the winning team, and the breast cancer charity named for his mother – the Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund – was the first charity to reap the benefits of male star power. Baldwin proudly presented a check in excess on $69,000 to the charity. His celebrity teammates include KISS bass player Gene Simmons, Heavyweight Boxing Champion Lennox Lewis, country singer Trace Adkins, America/Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan, Ultimate Fighting Champion Tito Ortiz, and Sopranos star Vincent Pastore.

The female celebrities have lost two challenges and two teammates – former Playboy Playmate Tiffany Fallon and Olympic Gold Medalist Nadia Comanechi. The remaining competitors include actress Marilu Henner, former supermodel Carol Alt, Olympic Gold medalist Jennie Lynch, Elemundo executive Nely Galan, and infamous veteran Apprentice star Omarosa.

The charities the celebrities are fighting for are:

Nadia Comanechi- Special Olympics
Jenni Finch- The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Marilu Henner- The Physician’s Committee For Responsible Medicine
Carol Alt- The Tony Alt Memorial Foundation
Lennox Lewis-The Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center
Gene Simmons-The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Piers Morgan- The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
Stephen Baldwin- The Carol M. Baldwin Cancer Research Fund
Tiffany Falon- The Walter Reed Society
Tito Ortiz- The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Vincent Pastore- The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research
Nely Galan- Count Me In
Trace Adkins – the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
Omarosa – Tomorrow's Aeronautic Museum

Look To The Stars News: Tomorrow's Aeronautic Museum

LTTS Exclusive: Aviation Angels

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