PILOTS FOR CHRIST LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN – INVITES COMMUNITY TO
SUNFLOWER PROJECT TO SUPPORT FLIGHTS OF HOPE
Free Sunflower Field Picking Event at Daphne-based Sirmon Farms
Monroeville, Ala. (August 21, 2025) – 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.
For over thirty years, God has provided for the ministry, and again this year we will fly over 800 mission flights,” said PFC Founder Tommy Lee. “This maintenance period will increase our expenses, not only for the maintenance, but also as we seek to continue to serve our patients through alternative transportation. Please join us as a prayer partner as we ask our great God to provide for these extra expenses. With God’s blessing and your support, PFC will continue to serve families in their greatest time of need.” (photo: Tommy Lee)
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.
“Sunflowers are a beautiful reminder of hope, and this project is our way of giving back to a ministry that has touched so many lives,” said James Sirmon, longtime supporter and volunteer.
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.
About Pilots for Christ
Founded in 1994 by local pilots in Monroeville, Pilots for Christ provides free air transportation for ambulatory patients who cannot afford or manage other travel arrangements. Through the generosity of donors, churches, and volunteers, the organization has carried out hundreds of life-changing missions each year, offering hope and compassion to individuals and families in their time of greatest need. For more information, visit PilotsForChrist.net.
