Lewis University Plane Pull To Benefit Special Olympics Illinois

ROMEOVILLE, IL – Teams of up to 10 people will get the opportunity to battle one another in a tug-of-war competition, set for April 27. The event dubbed, the Plane Pull, is set to take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lewis University airport, 1 George Michas Dr.

Participants will be tasked with tugging a 24-ton Republic Airway jet.

Teams qualify for participation in one of three divisions. Those are:

• Open division for companies, school teams, clubs, friends and families
• Public safety division for law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians and military professionals
• Lewis University division for students, staff and alumni of Lewis University

The cost is $500 per qualifying team of 10 persons.

Proceeds generated through the event will help support more than 23,000 traditional athletes and more than 20,000 young athletes ages 2 to 7 years old currently participating in Special Olympics Illinois.

Plane Pull is one of several fundraisers put on every year by Special Olympics Illinois.

Event sponsors include Lewis University, Republic Airways, the Village of Romeoville, Joliet Regional Port District, Lift Academy and the Forest Preserve Police of Will County.

According to its website, Special Olympics Illinois provides “year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.”

For information or to register, go to soill.org.