The Pilot Club of Great Bend membership each year chooses a member or members that exemplify the attributes of a Pilot. The member or members chosen as the Pilot International Founders Fund (PIFF), Ambassador must be active in an assigned role within the club, promote and support the aims of Pilot International and its activities, be active in a project that exemplifies the brain-related service focus of Pilot International and be faithful in attending meetings while giving generously of their time to assist with service projects and fundraising activities.

This year there are two outstanding Great Bend Pilot club members being recognized and honored as the 2025 - 2026 Pilot International Founders Fund Ambassadors, Billie Bonomo and Marsha Gerstner.

Barbara Watson, as the local club’s Pilot International Founders Fund representative, announced this honor at the August program meeting.

“Billie and Marsha have both exhibited outstanding dedication by their generosity of time and talent, and willingness to serve our community and our club,” she said.

The club will honor both Billie and Marsha by sending a donation in their names to the Pilot International Founders Fund (PIFF) where the Ambassador donations go to help the international clubs of emerging districts and the SAFE HARBOR Fund which helps those Pilots in need after a local or personal catastrophe.  

Pilot International’s mission is to influence positive change in the communities throughout the world that they serve, through local clubs and the Pilot International Founders Fund. PIFF was established to support the community-based work of Pilot Clubs by helping to underwrite Club efforts to serve in the areas of Preparing Youth for Service, Encouraging Brain Safety & Health and Supporting those who Care for Others. The PIFF assists local Pilot Clubs in their efforts to serve and meet the needs of others through an extensive grant program that has disbursed over $3.5 million. The Fund also provides scholarships that support graduate and undergraduate students working in fields related to Pilot International’s main areas of service focus. PIFF was established to further Pilot Internationals’ and local clubs, like Great Bend Pilot Club’s, humanitarian efforts to improve the lives of others through education, volunteerism, financial support.

Pilots are people who want to give back to their communities. Pilots come from all walks of life. They’re your neighbors, your co-workers, and relatives.