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'Wings of Hope' raffle helps children in need

Posted at 1:33 PM, Jun 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-24 14:33:12-04

Jeff Eich purchased three raffle tickets.

In his hand, he held the winning number for the raffle out of 3,000 tickets.

And this long-time aviator tells me, this beautiful Piper Cherokee will be the first plane he's ever owned. 

As this beauty landed on the tarmac, Eich was nowhere to be found.

“I would be late to my own funeral” he said.

But once he saw her...it was love at first sight.

Still, he had to pinch himself.

Jeff Eich had just won a plane

“I did not believe the numbers. I had to wake my wife up and have her double check the numbers. I still don't believe it until now.” Eich said.

 Eich's win is a gain for wings of hope.

Don Hamblen, President of Wings of Hope explains what the raffle is about.

“Wings of Hope, we have an annual aircraft raffle that we do to support our medical relief and transport problem, he said.

“And it's proven to be quite popular and we sell 3,000 tickets at $50 each.”

The $150, 000 raised by the raffle helps the organization pay the expenses of transporting children in dire need of medical attention and its Free of charge.

Wayland McGee, the man who introduced Eich to airplanes and wings of hope couldn't be prouder.

“It's great, he said. “It couldn't be going to a more deserving person. And I'll guarantee you, this airplane will shine like this.”

The next destination spot Eich tells KMTV, is to renew his pilot's license.

For more info on the organization visit here.

If you want to learn on the raffle, click here.