THUNDER BAY -- Fundraising coordinators at the Shelter House decided they needed a new event to spice up their efforts.
They wanted to offer something unique that very few people could say they had ever done before. It’s safe to say not many people had ever pulled an actual airplane.
Eleven teams were able to change that Sunday, taking part in the first annual Plane Pull for Shelter event, which was held at the Wasaya Airways hangar at the Thunder Bay International Airport.
“It’s kind of a signature event for Thunder Bay. There’s nobody else doing it,” Shelter House executive director Patty Hajdu said.
“We thought why not take a chance. The relay has been dying and we needed another event that could be ours and was really unique.”
Hajdu went a step further than just helping organize, as she was a member of the Shelter House team that participated.
Organizers collaborated with local Strongest Man athletes to have them be a part of the event. The teams were able to bid on the services of a Strongest Man to assist in the plane pulling, while the athletes solo pulled the planes later in the afternoon.
Ben Thompson, a local athlete, said pulling a plane is even an achievement for them.
“It’s a heavy plane. When we tested it out it was very heavy,” he said.
“It’s a big deal for us. A lot of us are trying to get to that next level. I’m trying to compete at the World Amateur Championships next year so I want to build a resume so organizers of those events can see I’m a legitimate and if they see me pulling a plane, they know I mean business.”
The Strongest Man competitors were on the sidelines providing assistance and encouragement to the teams.
Giving back to a community that has embraced the Strongest Man competitions was an easy decision.
A number of those participating were members of corporate teams. Lindsey Vandenberg was one of the pullers on the Halfway Motors Nissan squad.
She said the opportunity to pull a plane was something too big to pass up, especially with the camaraderie the group was able to build.
“Lots of our staff have been working out and running,” she said. “It’s a really good event for us to come together as a team and do a fun event for charity.”
Organizers of the event set a lofty goal, aiming to bring in $50,000 for the Shelter House.
