In March, three of our team members—Johnathan Graham, Kris Crispin, and Lindsey Bressi—volunteered their time at the Florida Air Museum to help prepare for the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo. As the museum’s largest annual fundraiser, this event attracts thousands of visitors from across the country. The Florida Air Museum is also one of our valued nonprofit partners, playing an important role in ReEmployAbility’s Transition2Work program by providing modified light-duty assignments for injured workers as they recover, all within a supportive and meaningful environment.
Answering the Call
When volunteer coordinator Angela Mann reached out for extra hands ahead of the event, our team was more than happy to help. Although there weren’t any injured workers available in the area to place at the time, Johnathan saw a great opportunity to support a trusted partner in need and quickly rallied a small but mighty group to assist.
Having grown up in Lakeland and attended Sun ‘n Fun events in the past, Johnathan shared, “For me, it’s a blast from my youth’s past. It’s always a good feeling to give back to the community in any way that you can.”
Boots on the Ground
What started as a plan to help with painting and outdoor preparation quickly shifted when rainy weather brought the work indoors. Our volunteers didn’t miss a beat, jumping into a variety of behind-the-scenes tasks that kept things moving:
- Tagged more than 500 credentials and exhibitor lanyards
- Organized and stocked the Country Store supply trailer with snacks, toiletries, and camping supplies
- Cleaned and prepped shelving for the shop’s reopening
- Priced and tagged merchandise for the gift shop
From sorting passes to sweeping floors, no task was too small. As Lindsey Bressi put it, “We did everything we could to help. The staff was so welcoming, and the food was amazing!”
A Mission That Takes Flight
The Florida Air Museum’s mission is one that resonates deeply with our team. In partnership with the Aerospace Center for Excellence, the museum supports a wide range of educational initiatives — scholarships and outreach to early childhood programs like “STEM Sprouts.” During their visit, our volunteers even had the chance to observe one of these classes in action, watching young children sing the alphabet with aviation-themed letters.
Reflecting on the day, Kris Krispin shared, “This was a fun way to switch up my volunteering. I usually stick to causes related to hunger relief, but I learned so much, and now I can better connect our participants with this nonprofit’s opportunities.”
Strengthening Community and Partnership
Beyond lending a hand, this volunteer experience offered us a deeper look into how we can support the museum’s evolving needs throughout the year. Their warm and welcoming team, thanks to Sue and Annette, made our volunteers feel like part of the family and made the day both meaningful and memorable. We hope this experience continues to strengthen our partnership with the Florida Air Museum and paves the way for future volunteer groups. Johnathan put it best, “Their mission is education-focused and inspiring to those interested in aviation. It’s a worthy cause — and offers plenty of fun for the family, too.”
Volunteering at the Florida Air Museum gave our team a fresh perspective, a meaningful way to give back, and a firsthand look at the incredible effort behind making a nationally recognized event like Sun ‘n Fun soar. We’re proud to support a nonprofit that champions education with energy, heart, and a whole lot of airplane love.
As Florida’s “Official Aviation Museum and Education Center,” the Florida Air Museum features a dynamic display of unique designs, classics, ultralights, antiques, and warbirds. More than a collection of airplanes, it stands as a tribute to the history and joy of flight. Exhibits educate about pioneers like Howard Hughes, early air racers, Floridians, and others who have influenced the world of aviation.
From its humble beginnings in 1974 as a fly-in for sport aviation enthusiasts, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has grown into one of the largest and most successful aviation events on earth. We are Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind, and each year over 200,000 visitors flock to what has become known as “Aviation’s Season Opener” or “Spring Break for Pilots.”
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