When motivated by friendly competition with the local police department and a good cause, eleven seconds. That is how long it took 20 Manheim Chicago employees who rolled up their sleeves to compete in a race to pull a United Airlines 737 airplane, weighing nearly 90 tons, twelve feet to the finish line. The 8th Annual Plane Pull benefitting Special Olympics Illinois took place Sept.10 at O’Hare International, and the Manheim Chicago team flexed their muscles for the ultimate tug-of-war competition.
“Supporting the Special Olympics, and actually meeting the families with children participating in the games, made for a truly special day," said Mike Cesta, general manager of Manheim Chicago. ”“Our friends at the Matteson Police Department presented the challenge and our team came together in a true test of strength for an amazing cause.”
The Manheim group edged out the local Matteson Police Department by one second.The winning team, Team Aldi, pulled the 18,000-pound plane across the finish line in just seven seconds.
To participate, teams are required to raise a minimum of $1,000. All proceeds collected through fundraising benefit the training and competition for athletes currently participating with the Special Olympics Illinois.
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 19 sports for more than 22,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and more than 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.
