Southern Heritage Air Foundation name “Top-Rated Nonprofit”

The Southern Heritage Air Foundation announced today it has been named a “2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading website for community recommendations of charities and nonprofits.

The Southern Heritage Air Foundation, preserves the stories and history of local and regional WWII Veterans, local Aviation history, hosts Aviation Clinics, Community events, and is a unique & wonderful place offering tours of any size, and plane ride opportunities in the Warren County, MS & Madison Parish, LA areas that result in educational opportunities for people of all ages, as well as, revenue.

“We are honored to be named a 2023 Top-Rated Nonprofit,” says Steve Gustafson, SHAF Board of Directors Member. “We are proud of our accomplishments this year, including:

– Hosting 2 Veterans lunches serving over 200. Our Annual THANKSgiving Lunch is one of our favorites to host! It includes our partnership with The Radio People of Vicksburg and the Steve &Marjorie Harvey Foundation, who for the 7th year provide turkeys or gift cards for turkeys, that we are able to distribute to local Veterans attending the lunch. Partnered also with the Vicksburg National Military Park representative and veteran, Ryan Groves, who was on site to hand out, at no charge, Lifetime National Park passes to the military in attendance.

– Participating in the Louisiana Travel Tourism Conference with Madison Parish’s Tourism Commission, by providing materials, door prizes and information on the Museum, for the Director, Tina Johnson, to take to the Conference.

– Splitting the proceeds of our Mike Kavanaugh Memorial Clay Shoot with 7 Days for the Troops which serves disabled Veterans

– Our volunteers organized and coordinated with local contractors, sponsors and Home Depot, to build a deck, with a ramp, cover, two outdoor recliners and solar lighting, for Madison Parish resident & WWII Veteran Rufus Puckett for his 99th birthday, and celebrated again with him and his family on his 100th, by attending several events honoring him and collecting well over 100 birthday cards, that included at least a $1.00 and a piece magnificent piece of woodwork, done by D4L Woodworking (a veteran owned local small business), that included his name, branch of service, etc. .

– Co-hosting, for the 2nd year, with the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum, the Red, White & Blue Air Show: Saluting America’s Heroes in which over 17,000 were in attendance

– hosting over 30 field trips/group tours and over 5,000 tourists from the U.S, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Brazil, Mexico, and more -hosting the USS Orion AS-18 Veterans Historical Reunion, through Vicksburg Old Town Tours locally owned by Bertram and Carol Hayes-Davis, for a day at our Museum, which included tours, lunch and guest speaker, Peggy Gouras, of Vicksburg, sharing the story of her uncle. The presentation was called, “Resting place known only to God”. The story of finding William Mabry Mayfield of the 104th Infantry Division- WWII. There was not a dry eye in the building afterwards.

-hosting along with NATA (North American Trainer Association)- our annual, and this year, the area’s highest attended, 4-day Warbird Formation Clinic to date, with over 40 Warbirds, and over 70 pilots from 20 different states including Hawaii generating tourism revenue of over $140,000 including over $30,000 in the purchase of aviation fuel from the Vicksburg Tallulah Regional Airport – hosting the Educational CAF RISE ABOVE Travelling Exhibit featuring the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen & WASPs of WWII, and how they overcame obstacles to serve their country. The Exhibit was FREE to the community and all who wanted to attend during the 5-day period. Over 1100 came to view the Exhibit.

– Provided Christmas for a recovering, newly double amputee, Marine Veteran and his family of 5.

-Added new memorabilia and exhibits to the Museum, and created new ways for visitors to relate to the exhibits, through trading cards telling stories in the first person, featuring the Heroes, the aircraft and several significant items throughout the Museum.

– Selling rides, performing flyovers for funerals, college football games, at air shows all over the U.S., which created interest for out of towners to come to the area, stay and visit our Museum and/or take a plane ride. Through our events and programs we add an economic impact through tourism to the Madison Parish /Tallulah, LA and Warren County / Vicksburg, MS areas, while honoring those who sacrificed and fought for the freedoms in this great place we call home.”

The Top-Rated Nonprofit Award is based on the rating and number of reviews that The Southern Heritage Air Foundation received from volunteers, donors and aid recipients. One reviewer (EMCBob) said on 10/30/23, “What a wonderful time we had visiting Southern Heritage Air Foundation. The museum and the aircraft displays were very impressive and very educational. Definitely very Family-friendly atmosphere. You couldn’t ask for a better Staff and Volunteers, they were absolutely WONDERFUL!!” Another reviewer (Tripall72) said, “This is the most amazing organization for anyone who appreciates history and preserving the WWII Era. Every time I go, I learn something new. If you aren’t a Warbird enthusiast, you will be after a weekend at Southern Heritage Museum. I highly recommend visiting. It’s a great place to share with family, friends and neighbors if you are looking for something to do. You will not be disappointed and the souvenirs are awesome!! I have a Charlotte’s Chariot hat and shirt that I love!! Everyone at the museum makes you feel welcome and like part of the family. Grateful to share my experience.”

“The Southern Heritage Air Foundation is a great example of a nonprofit making a real difference in their community,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “Their award is well deserved recognition not only of their work, but the tremendous support they receive, as shown by the many outstanding reviews they have received from people who have direct experience working  and/or visiting the Southern Heritage Air Foundation.”

GreatNonprofits is the largest donation website for nonprofits and where people share stories about their personal experiences on more than 1.6 million charities and nonprofits. The  GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Awards are the only awards for nonprofits determined by those who have direct experience with the charities – as donors, volunteers and recipients of aid.

The complete list of 2023 Top Rated Nonprofits can be found at:

https://greatnonprofits.org/awards/browse/Campaign:Year2023/Issue:All/Page:1