ATLANTA, May 18, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delta Air Lines will be named a Hometown Hero by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) during a gala tonight at the Georgia Aquarium. Delta is being recognized as an exceptional corporation with a commitment to improving the quality of life for residents in Atlanta.
"Delta is deeply honored to be selected Hometown Hero by Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta," said Joe Kolshak, Delta's executive vice president of operations and a board member of BGCMA, representing Delta Air Lines at the event. "To be recognized for excellence, integrity and striving to make a positive impact on the youth community means so much to the more than 25,000 Atlanta-area Delta employees who take their role as contributors to the Atlanta community to heart."
One of six honorees and the only corporation, Delta is receiving this special recognition along with Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Atlanta Journal-Constitution sports columnist Furman Bisher, Atlanta Braves VIP usher Walter Banks, head coach of the Atlanta Falcons and his wife Jim and Shannon Mora, and BGCMA's staff person of the year Claire Guitton.
Delta's involvement with Boys & Girls Clubs is one example of how Delta and its employees' dedication to the community remain steadfast. Delta has had a close community partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta for many years, during which time the organization was named a Delta Charity of the Quarter and featured during an in-flight video to educate Delta passengers about BGCMA's work influencing young people. In addition, the club has been a recipient of the Delta Air Lines SkyWish Program, through which more than three million SkyMiles have been donated by Delta, its customers and employees to support the travel needs of the students and staff for events and programs in education, cultural arts, environment and leadership development.
"Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta has been proud to partner with Delta for more than 40 years -- when our relationship first began at our Club location in College Park, Georgia," said Jerry Tipton, president of BGCMA. "Not only has Delta provided significant financial support over the years, the company also has provided the guidance, in the form of Delta representation on our board of directors that is helping us serve metro Atlanta youth more effectively and position the organization for a strong future."
Delta Air Lines is a major contributor to the Atlanta community and as Atlanta's hometown airline and Georgia's largest private employer, Delta is proud to partner with many local organizations. Delta employees in Atlanta volunteer time and money also to support many local charities, including: the United Way; Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Cancer Society, The American Red Cross, The Arthritis Foundation, AID Atlanta, Habitat for Humanity, Christian City, March of Dimes and the Children's Miracle Network. Delta is also a proud sponsor of High Museum of Art, Woodruff Arts Center, Fox Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers.
Delta's flagship hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's largest airline hub. With its summer 2006 schedule, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers will offer more than 1,000 peak-day departures to nearly 230 non-stop destinations from Atlanta -- more non-stop flights and destinations than any airline hub in the world. Delta's Atlanta hub is the fastest growing international gateway in the United States, with more than 25 new international markets announced since September 2005. Delta also continues to expand the number of domestic destinations it serves from Atlanta, including more than 20 new non-stop destinations added or announced since September 2005. This December, Delta will make history in Atlanta again as it enters a new continent from the hub for the first time since 1997 with new service to Dakar, Senegal and Johannesburg, South Africa (via Dakar) (subject to foreign government approvals).
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