Knights of Columbus

Plane Pull for Special Olympics

CALIFORNIA KNIGHTS PARTICIPATE IN RAISING OVER $100,000
FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS 

planepull

 

The Southern California Special Olympics Annual Plane Pull took place at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, August 23.  The goal for this year’s competition was set at $100,000 .00.  A record 44 teams competed and the final tally shows that $110,050 was raised.  This year, for this time in this event’s history in Southern California, The Knights of Columbus participated in pulling a FEDEX 737 jet, twelve feet.

State Council Operations Director, Dr. Ray Warriner PSD and our State Special Olympics Chairman, Steve Bolton, organized 3 teams of Knights, family members, and friends, for this competition.  Five Chapters, Arrowhead Desert Valley, Los Padres, Orange County, San Gabriel Valley, and Southern California, sent players.  They were up against seasoned veterans from the CHP, LA County Sheriffs, 4 teams from USC, fitness centers, corporate teams, and Fire Departments.  Each team was scored on 2 pulls and the fastest time was declared the Winner, with full bragging rights for the coming year as their major award.

As for fund raising, two of our teams are listed in the top donors roster published on the Special Olympics website: http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/ccp.asp?ievent=1107388&ccp=653499.

The plane pull is a true community family event.  A CHP spotter plane was set up for the children to pull.  There was face painting, a dunk tank, a BBQ lunch, a cartoonist, and a DJ to keep everyone entertained.  Most importantly, it gave everyone present a sense of being part of Special Olympics.  Our Order has made Special Olympics a key program in support of people with Intellectual Disabilities.  Thanks to the efforts of Chairman Steve Bolton and Dr. Ray Warriner, the Knights of Columbus now have another avenue to grow our support of this great cause.

Our presence of 75 pullers and at least another 30 supporters is an outstanding first effort in this event.  It is likely that as the word spreads and more Councils become aware of it, California’s participation in next year’s Plane Pull will grow exponentially.  For more information, contact Steve Bolton at sbolton293@aol.com.