THUNDER BAY –Residents showed off their strength and teamwork on Saturday as 14 groups attempted to pull a 26,000-pound airplane along the tarmac, the ultimate tug-of-war challenge.
The United Way of Thunder Bay and Wasaya Airways brought back the annual Wasaya-United Way Plane Pull which saw teams compete for the fastest time to pull an airplane down the tarmac, all for a good cause.
“I have to admit that I had never heard of a plane pull until I joined the United Way back in 2019. That was my first opportunity to pull a plane. I did it,” said Albert Brule, CEO United Way of Thunder Bay.
“It's actually more about teamwork and momentum and coming together and pulling at the same time, which is a little bit like what we do with the United way and our community. We want everyone to pull for helping those in need. And so it's very much in keeping with our theme of united in local love.
Throughout the day teams of 6 to 8 people tested their might and teamwork, while also competing for the best time.. as they pulled a 26,000-pound airplane.
The event was in support of the United Way of Thunder Bay, with the money raised going towards the organization's various programs.
It's been three years since they've been able to host the fundraiser with Wasaya Airways, and Brule said it's great being able to bring it back.
“It's tough trying to get back up and running. You know, it took a little bit of a lot of work, a lot of effort, a lot of teamwork to pull the event off for this year and we see it as you know, just growing and getting bigger and better every year,” he said.
“The teams that are here are having a great time and you know, we have fabulous volunteers, fabulous sponsors, fabulous supporters to make this possible.”
This year’s Plane Pull didn't really have a fundraising goal, but the event usually raises around $15,000 to $20,000.
