Watch CBS News

Pilots Team Up For Annual VFW Charity Airlift

By Andrea Flores

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Third generation pilot Bill Jones may be missing eight reindeer, but with a plane full of food and toys you might as well call him "Santa in the Sky."

CHARITY AIRLIFT 5PKG.transfer_frame_71
CBS4's Andrea Flores interviews Bill Jones. (credit: CBS)

He's one of 29 pilots flying across the state from Centennial Airport to deliver gifts to Veterans of Foreign Wars in need this holiday season.

CHARITY AIRLIFT 5PKG.transfer_frame_335
(credit: CBS)

Jones is a Metro State University Flight Precision Team pilot. The team joined forces with the Colorado Aviation Business Association for the seventh annual VFW charity airlift.

CHARITY AIRLIFT 5PKG.transfer_frame_570
7th Annual VFW Charity Airlift (credit: CBS)

You could say Jones has a passion for aviation. Military service runs in his blood.

His grandfather, 98-year-old Bill Jones Senior, served as an air force pilot during World War II.

"Being out here and flying to these places is fun on its own, and knowing that you have a plane full of goods that are going to people who need them is an added bonus," Jones said. "It's the least we can do for these people."

CHARITY AIRLIFT 5PKG.transfer_frame_974
(credit: CBS)

Army Veteran Rob Davies, and his daughter, Brittany, started the charity airlift seven years ago.

SHARE YOUR STORY: Share A Together 4 Colorado Story Idea With CBS4

With more than 700 families counting on them this holiday season, Davies has a message for his fellow brothers and sisters.

"Remember veterans, we're not going to forget you," Davies said.

Andrea Flores is a reporter for CBS4. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @AndreaFloresTV.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.