Teams will pull plane for charity

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta is looking for participants for its second annual Plane Pull.

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Encouraged by the community support it had last year, the organization decided to hold the pull again , said Betts Murdison, the executive director.

"Last year, we had 27 teams competing," she said. "This year, we are trying to grow that number to 40. We want it to grow bigger and better each year."

On May 1, teams of 20 people will pull a FedEx Boeing 727, which weighs about 155,000 pounds.

The team that can pull the plane 12 feet in the shortest time will win. Last year, the winning team pulled the plane that distance in 12.022 seconds.

Awards will also be given for best dressed - the team that is dressed uniformly and has the best costume or outfit; biggest head wind - the team that overcame the greatest obstacles to be there to pull; and biggest heart - the team that raises the most money above the entry fee.

The fee per team is $500. The deadline for teams to sign up is April 16, and the entry fee is due April 30. The money will go toward taking care of families at the Ronald McDonald House, Murdison said.

Some teams that have signed up have begun raising the money by having yard sales, other sales and activities at work, such as a jeans day or casual day, she said.

Last year, the pull raised $20,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta.

The pull is a good team builder, and it gives people a chance to do something out of the ordinary, Murdison said.
"If they ever wanted to do this, they should. It's not every day you get an opportunity to pull a plane," she said. "But, I would encourage people not to hesitate. Sign-ups are going fast."

For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta or the pull, call (706) 724-5901 or visit www.rmhcaugusta.com.