On Sunday, September 23rd, the 5th Annual UPS Plane Pull reached peak cruising altitude, taking-off and landing in style.
Excited participants await their chance to pull a Boeing 757 at the 2018 UPS Plane Pull.
Eighteen teams competed at UPS’s hangar at YVR, raising $30,000 for children and youth across our communities.
The team from Langara College poses with Seymour the Sea Otter before their pull.
Teams tested their strength by pulling a Boeing 757 jet across the tarmac – no small feat considering it weighs about 127,000 lbs!
Pulling for change
As a fundraiser, as well as a physical challenge, the UPS Plane Pull delivers real change to local kids and youth. All funds raised support life-changing United Way after-school programs and initiatives for youth who have aged out of foster care.
Kwantlen Polytechnic student Ashely shared her powerful story of how one program – The Youth Futures Education Fund (YFEF) – is helping her pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
“It is because of YFEF that I feel I have an equal chance at professionally succeeding, similar to my counterparts who grew up outside of the foster care system,” she said. “Most importantly, I have the comfort of knowing there are people out there who believe and support youth in care enough to invest in our education.”
Impact speaker Ashley shares her story at the UPS Plane Pull.
“This event really is about pulling together for community,” said Michael McKnight, President & CEO, United Way British Columbia. “UPS is an amazing community partner and we’re grateful for their generosity over the years.”
The 2018 UPS Team getting ready to show us how it’s done.
In fact, UPS across Canada has raised more than $15 million for United Way over the past 31 years.
That’s a lot of community spirit!
A family affair
The day’s festivities also included a variety of family-friendly activities to keep everyone entertained, including a plane pull for kids, carnival games and delicious local food trucks.
Excited participants get ready to take part in the day’s first Kids Plane Pull of the day.
Media sponsor Z95.3 FM kept the mood high with great music throughout the day and Maria Lee from Tribe Fitness kept everyone in top pulling form, leading warm-ups throughout the day.
The Z95.3FM Street Team poses in front of a UPS plane.
Our greatest thanks to UPS whose generosity continues to make this event possible and to our committed volunteers, plane-pullers, donors and supporters. Every time you showing your local love you empower others and helping us combat the unignorable issues in our communities.
You’ve shown us that you’re truly as good as your jets!
The need for speed
Congratulations to all the teams who pulled a 127,000 lb jet across the tarmac. Big congratulations to the winning team from Kwantlen Polytechnic University with a time of 21.96 seconds!
The winning team from Kwantlen Polytechnic University prior to their pull.
Other teams in the running for top spots included WSP Team #2 with a time of 22.15 seconds and Langara College with a time of 22.47 seconds. Special recognition to our own United Way Plane Pullers whose time of 35.14 seconds showed a lot of heart.
ICBC was the top fundraising team, raising over $4,000 dollars. They also looked their tropical best in their Hawaiian costumes.
ICBC gets ready for their shot at pulling the Boeing 757.
Do you have a great picture or video to share from Plane Pull 2018? Share them on social media with the hashtag #Pulling4U and tag @uwlm and @UPS_Canada!
Eager to continue showing your community strength AND spirit? Run up Grouse Mountain this Saturday at Tech Grind 2018! Register here today.