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Mercy Flight is a charitable organization that relies heavily on contributions from its supporters. Although we are reimbursed for a portion of each mission by insurance carriers, our service rates are set well below industry standards, and we could not continue to operate this way without the generous funding we receive from members of our community.

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Mercy Flight, where nearly 86 cents of every dollar is used directly toward program expenses.

Sponsor a mission

$1,900

We perform our lifesaving mission without regard to our patients’ insurance status or their ability to pay.  Mercy Flight forgave $1.4 million last year for care provided to our uninsured or under-insured patients – an average of $1,900 per patient mission.

Fill a Helicopter with Fuel for a day

$1,000

Mercy Flight operates five helicopters and, to ensure we are mission ready, helicopter fuel is the crucial element to getting us in the air when minutes matter.

Buy Tires For An Ambulance

$500

Mercy Flight’s ground division, Mercy EMS, maintains 20 ground ambulances throughout Western New York, and the miles add up!

Buy a Flight Suit

$250

Flight Suits are critically important for our crew. These special flame retardant blue flight suits are designed specifically for use in the medical aviation field.

Stock a Vehicle

$100

Stocks a vehicle with disposable medical supplies. Our vehicles function as mobile intensive care units and emergency departments, fully stocked with the latest medical equipment and necessary supplies.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Charitable Tax Breaks Extended for 2021

  • Individuals who do not itemize their tax deductions can take a deduction of up to $300 for monetary donations made to qualifying nonprofit organizations in 2021. Married couples who file a joint tax return can take a $600 deduction.
  • Individuals who do itemize their deductions are not subject to any caps on the amount of donations they can deduct in 2021.

By Mail

Donations can be made payable to Mercy Flight Inc. and mailed to:
Flying Tigers – Buffalo Airport
100 Amherst Villa Road
Buffalo, New York 14225

Third-Party Events

A third-party event is any fundraising activity developed by a non-affiliated group or individual where Mercy Flight WNY has no financial responsibility and little-to-no staff involvement.

Tribute Gifts

Tribute gifts are a wonderful way to celebrate a special event, holiday, or milestone, or to honor a healthcare provider or member of the Mercy Flight crew. If it is in honor of someone, please provide his or her name and, if you would like us to send an acknowledgement, their address. The amount of the gift will be kept confidential.

Gifts of Service Appreciation

Were you, a family member or friend a recipient of our services? Many of our patients, their families and friends show their appreciation by making a donation. If you are making the donation on behalf of someone other than yourself, please provide his or her name and, if you would like us to send an acknowledgement, include their address. The amount of the gift will be kept confidential.

In Memoriam

A meaningful way to honor the memory of friends or loved ones is to make a memorial gift in their name. When making your donation please provide the name of the person you are memorializing and, if you would like us to send an acknowledgement, the name and address of the family. The amount of your gift will be kept private and we will not solicit them.

Matching Gifts

Many employers match employee contributions. Sometimes this can double or even triple your gift! Check with your company’s human resources or payroll department to see whether it offers a matching gift program.

Stock

Donating securities and stock is a smart way to give and it is easier than you might think. Stock gifts often offer several advantages over cash, including reduced or eliminated capital gains on stocks that have increased in value. Please call our office at 716-626-5808 and ask for the Development Department to receive stock transfer information.

In-Kind Gifts

Another easy, cashless and tax-friendly way to make a donation is with an in-kind gift. Popular examples are sports tickets and memorabilia, a week in a ski or beach condo, or professional services. Charitable gifts of all sizes provide us with the additional resources necessary to continue our focus on excellence in patient care, training and safety. Donors of in-kind gifts receive a receipt for tax purposes verifying the donation and detailing the value of the gift.

Please note that not all gifts may fit into our needs and final say will be at the discretion of Mercy Flight.

Development Staff

Director of Development & Marketing

Elaine Duquette

Contact Elaine
Community Outreach Coordinator – Olean

Keri Simon

Contact Keri
Community Outreach Coordinator – Batavia

Pam Cherry

Contact Pam

Patient Testimonials

See the direct impact your support can have when Mercy Flight was there for patients when they needed it

The Rioch’s Story

| Stories of Hope | No Comments
“I will never forget that day,” said Suzanne Rioch, a retired art/special education teacher. “We were living in Victor at the time, and our house was near a corner. There was a motor vehicle accident involving a truck and a minivan about 500 yards from our house. The minivan occupant…

Joniel’s Story

| Stories of Hope | No Comments
For Amy and Jonathan Rivera and their newborn son Joniel, Mercy Flight was there when minutes mattered. On Tuesday, August 18, 2020, Amy Rivera, in her thirty-fifth week of pregnancy, went into labor and delivered her son Joniel at Olean General Hospital (OGH). Although babies born prematurely may exhibit symptoms…

Michelle’s Story

| Stories of Hope | No Comments
Michelle was celebrating Independence Day with her family in Chautauqua County, when high velocity fireworks hurtled toward her. She saw a white flash, and in an instant, her clothing caught fire as the pyrotechnic device hit her and remained in her lap. Within minutes, Michelle was airlifted from the scene…