Pilots for Christ’s Sunflower Project

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) -

Pilots for Christ (PFC), the Monroeville-based nonprofit providing free air transportation to patients in need, is rallying community support this September with two special initiatives designed to keep its life-changing missions in the air.

From early September, PFC’s primary aircraft will be grounded for required maintenance — an essential $50,000 investment to ensure safety and reliability. During this two-week period, the organization expects to spend an additional $15,000 to $30,000 on alternative transportation to make sure no patient misses essential care. To help bridge this gap, PFC has launched the “Be Our Co-Pilot” fundraising campaign, inviting the community to contribute and partner in their mission.

Coinciding with these efforts, in the upcoming Labor Day weekend and days to follow, the fields at Sirmon Farms in Daphne will burst into bloom with thousands of sunflowers — and in the heart of the field, visitors will see the letters PFC outlined in golden petals. The annual “Sirmon Sunnies” Sunflower Project invites the public to walk through the sunflower fields, enjoy the view, and take home sunflowers — all free of charge. Donation boxes will be placed around the farm, with every dollar going directly to support Pilots for Christ. Sunflowers are ready for picking beginning Labor Day weekend, Friday, August 29 – until the flowers are gone.

Last year’s Sunflower Project raised over $5,000 for PFC, and this year’s goal is to raise even more to help keep their flights of hope in the air. The sunflower fields are located at 25359 County Road 54 East, Daphne, Ala., and will be open for a limited time only. Donations to the “Be Our Co-Pilot” campaign can also be made online at PilotsForChrist.net.