Mark your calendars! Agape Flights’ annual “Pie in the Sky” event is just around the corner on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Join the mission-driven nonprofit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as it opens its hangar doors at 100 Airport Ave. E. for a celebration of “Back to the Future: Celebrating 45 Years of Love in Action.”
The free event offers savory pizza pies and sweet dessert pies from local vendors, plus family-friendly activities like a Fun Zone with face painting, dart games, and more. Aviation enthusiasts can enjoy the flight simulator and explore Agape Flights’ aircraft, meet the pilots, and take photos inside the planes. The day’s highlight is the live auction at 1 p.m., featuring dessert pies paired with exciting prizes like a deep-sea fishing excursion and a smart garage door opener package.
“We open our hangar doors to share how and why we fly, and who we serve—our mission partners in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas,” said Shelly Watkins, Director of Donor Engagement. Attendees can watch a 5-minute looping video showcasing Agape’s remarkable 45-year journey, enjoy a 20-minute presentation, and explore photo-filled displays celebrating the milestones of this impactful organization.
A Divine Origin Story
Agape Flights began in 1980 when founders Keith and Clara Starkey felt a divine calling to bring desperately needed supplies to Haiti. Mortgaging their home to purchase a Cessna 411, they launched their first flight just weeks later, embodying a mission of unconditional service that thrives today as “God’s love flights.”
Fast forward to 2024, when Agape Flights delivered more than 110 tons of critical supplies, from ultrasound machines to solar lights and non-perishable food, to missionaries in the Caribbean, according to Communications Director Jacques May. Last year’s Pie in the Sky drew 1,400 attendees, half of whom were visiting for the first time, he added.
“This event is a joy,” said Watkins. “We love welcoming the community to experience the heart of what we do and to learn how they can get involved—whether it’s through private tours, volunteering, or supporting our mission.”
So, bring your appetite for fun, food, and inspiration to Agape Flights on March 1. It’s a celebration you won’t forget as the organization honors 45 years of love in action. For more information or to support the mission, visit AgapeFlights.com or call 941.488.0990.
“This event is a joy. We love welcoming the community to experience the heart of what we do."