Teams pulled 26,000-pound Airplane at Annual Wasaya-United Way Plane Pull.
by Scott A. Sumner
Seventeen teams faced off recently in the ultimate tug-of-war challenge, pulling a 26,000-pound plane for over 50 feet at the annual Wasaya-United Way Plane Pull. Attendees cheered on teams, enjoyed family fun, and supported a great cause. All proceeds go to the Northwestern Ontario Indigenous Youth Achievement and Recognition Awards (IYARA) and the United Way of Thunder Bay.
I asked Albert Brule, CEO of United Way Thunder Bay how the event has gone.
“ We are at the Thunder Bay Airport for our incredible Annual Wasaya-United Way Plane Pull which brings together teams from community, different businesses and organizations to raise funds for the United Way and the Indigenous Youth Achievement and Recognition Awards. Wasaya is our partner and we couldn't do it without them. This might be our biggest year ever.”
“ All of the teams raise funds by encouraging their friends,family and co-workers to sponsor them. We also have incredible sponsors like Ontario Power Generation. There is amazing community spirit with people working together to see who can pull the plane fastest. I've seen times a little as 12 seconds to pull that plane 50 feet from a dead start. We should raise between 20 to 25 thousand dollars at this event.”
“ The United Way is doing awesome and really feeling the love from our community and have new partners coming on board to help. Our big community breakfast will be held September 22nd- we call it our better is possible breakfast- we can help those in need when we all work together.”
“ Gen Next are our young leaders giving of their time and expertise helping to fundraise- they helped organize Day of Caring where we had 26 different projects on the go that day. They recently did Stuff a Bus for Dennis Cromarty School and organizing a gala for this fall.”
