Request to provide in-kind fire and police during the 9th Annual Sky Kids Day event, which will be held at the Lux Air Jet Centers at the Goodyear Municipal Airport on March 26th, 2022.
 

Approve Request To Provide In-kind Fire And Police Public Safety Services During The Ninth Annual Sky Kids Day Event Located At The Goodyear Municipal Airport On March 26th, 2022. (Tim Wayne, Interim Fire Chief)
 

Sky Kids was awarded a $1,500 grant to support this event through the city's FY2022 Community Funding Program.
Typical overtime costs associated with providing fire and police services during an event range from $2,500 - $3,300.  In 2021, the overtime costs for this event was approximately $700 for fire personnel and $2,300 for police personnel. Overtime costs will be absorbed within each department's current operational budget.

In June of 2011, a small group of compassionate men and women in the aviation community had an idea to use their skills to bring a unique educational experience to Special Needs children throughout the valley.  The first FLy Day Event was April 14, 2012, at the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport where they flew almost 50 families with Special Needs children.  Since that date, Sky Kids has grown to include Fly Day Events at the Scottsdale Airport and, most recently, at the Chino Airport in California.  Sky Kids now enjoys flying more than 250 families with Special Needs children at these locations every year. Sky Kids offers to children with special needs an opportunity to fly in a general aviation aircraft with an expert pilot along with a parent or friend to experience the wonders and enjoyment of flight. The children will gain confidence and self-esteem by being "in command" of these amazing machines.  Sky Kids is an Arizona tax-exempt corporation and an IRS 501c(3) public charity dedicated to providing children and youths in the Valley of the Sun with special needs the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build self-esteem and confidence through the unique experience of flight.Sky Kids provide this experience through the dedication, compassion and kindness of our many volunteers, donors, sponsors and supporters who enjoy the rewards of a warm heart ... and seeing the children smile from ear to ear. (Source: Skykidsaz.org)

A need within the Goodyear community has been identified, and this service opportunity encompasses both a Sense of Community and Quality of Life by partnering with the Sky Kids organization to help support this unique opportunity for the children who will participate.  Both the fire and police departments are in favor of providing the necessary services to help make the 2022 event a success.