By Pepper Parr
September 16th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather was perfect, the turnout was great and the mood of the close to 1000 people who gathered at the Hamilton International Airport to take part in the Big Plane Pull was upbeat.
The objective was for 15 people to pull this 200,000 pound UPS aircraft 50 feet in the shortest time possible. The best time this year was 20.31 seconds.
The United Way Plane Pull raised over $171,000+, which has been an incredible start to the campaign kickoff.
The banner with the campaign target was rolled out to make public the United Way Halton & Hamilton’s (HHUW) 2023-2024 campaign goal of $12,500,000 for this year.
Fifty teams, with 15 members each pulled the 200,000 pound plane across the sun soaked tarmac.
The best time was achieved by the Reliance Home Comfort team that did it in 20.31 seconds. There were two teams tied for second place.
Registration tables were well run – more than 1000 took part in the plane pull – fund raising event.
The occasion was a family event with people streaming in and lining up at the Registration table.
There was a kids play area that was a non-stop operation along with a Face Painting station
HHUW President Brad Park said: ” This year’s goal presents an ambitious challenge to help transform the lives of the community.
“Last year 143,562 families and individuals received support from United Way Halton & Hamilton. Energized by the strides made over the last year, the mission for this year’s campaign is to enrich the lives of an even larger number of individuals and families in Burlington, Halton Hills, Hamilton, Milton, and Oakville.”
