The History of Wings of Mercy

“Wings of Mercy levels the playing field by eliminating the financial barrier of transportation to and from distant medical centers.”

Since 1991, Wings of Mercy, a 501c3 charity, has pilots who have flown more than 8,000 patient flights for Michigan residents who are not financially capable. We match medical patients who require free air transportation to distant medical facilities with volunteer pilots, willing to donate their time and aircraft.


We are proud to announce a MAJOR flying event: “Wings For Michigan” providing all Michigan pilots an opportunity to fly for Wings of Mercy and support this critical, state-wide mission. We know not all pilots have a large enough plane or the time required, often on weekdays, to fly actual mission trips. But whether you fly a Pilatus or a Piper Cub, all can participate in this exciting event taking place May 4th - September 2nd.


Patient Flights

8,000

Volunteer Pilots

828

Years of Service

30

Wings of Mercy West Michigan

Wings of Mercy was founded by a Michigan native and pilot, Peter VandenBosch. At age 68, Peter had successfully retired and was enjoying a fishing trip off the coast of Florida when he heard a voice simply say, “Peter, there is more to life than this.”

For two weeks, Peter told no one before finally sharing his experience with his wife. When she heard, her immediate response was, “We’ve got to sell the house in Florida and move back to Michigan.” In faith, they moved back and waited, and within a few months a friend suggested that Peter use his twin engine plane to fly low income patients to receive treatment.


Peter founded Wings of Mercy in 1991, and since then, we’ve flown over 8,000 missions. We’ve grown from just a handful of volunteers to a registered, organized nonprofit, and we’ve seen the formation of two additional chapters in Minnesota and East Michigan. We can fly anywhere in the US east of the Rocky Mountains, and we look forward to growing our network and services for years to come.

Visit Wings of Mercy West Michigan Website

Wings of Mercy East Michigan

In 1995, Cody Welch, an airline pilot living in Midland, MI, incorporated a not-for profit corporation whose charter and mission was to provide free air transportation in general aviation aircraft to and from major medical centers for financially challenged and medically qualified individuals requiring transportation to distant medical centers for treatment of unique conditions not available in East Michigan. The name of the organization was Mid-Michigan Medical Mercy Flights, Inc. (MMMMFI)

In the process of approaching Foundations for seed money, MMMMFI discovered another organization with a similar mission which had been operating since 1991 under the name Wings of Mercy, Inc. in Holland, MI. Their Founder and President, Peter VandenBosch, soon suggested that MMMMFI’s Board consider becoming an independent chapter of Wings of Mercy in order to increase service to more Michigan residents. In early 1996 an agreement was reached and MMMMFI changed its name to Wings of Mercy East Michigan, Inc.



Wings of Mercy East Michigan, Inc. has continued to grow since the first patient flight in July of 1996. We have passed several milestones after that first mission to return a heart transplant patient from the Mayo Clinic. We have seen 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and soon to be 3,000 mission milestones and we are still growing. 

Visit Wings of Mercy East Michigan Website
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