RELEASE DATE
07/25/2022

PULL A PLANE TO SUPPORT SPECIAL OLYMPICS COLORADO ATHLETES

A Law Enforcement Torch Run Event Presented by Smile Generation

Centennial, CO, July 25, 2022 – Have you ever thought about what it would take to pull a plane?

When you ask Tim Miner, Special Olympics Colorado Male Athlete of the Year, why he participates in the annual Plane Pull he is quick to answer, “I love helping my community.” Like Miner, many athletes and community members compete each year to see which team can pull a plane the fastest while having a great time and raising money to support Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) athletes.

“On behalf of the Academy, I will say that we love being partnered with a great organization that loves and provides for people, especially those who may often be overlooked,” said G. Todd Gentry, Technician with the Denver Police Department. “We love the fact that by partnering with SOCO, it fits within our Mission Statement and Core Values where we value human life, where everyone matters, and we treat people with dignity and respect. We thoroughly enjoy the fundraising aspect. It provides financial support to SOCO but it also gives us an opportunity to provide each [Denver Police Department] recruit with a challenge that is outside the box of typical “police work.”

This year Gentry and all of the competitors are in for something special. The 2022 Plane Pull series is back with two locations, Broomfield on August 27th and Colorado Springs on September 10, thanks to presenting sponsor, Smile Generation. Each location has its unique vibe, and both are a thrill that is hard to find anywhere else in Colorado. Whether teams are pulling a G-IV jet in Broomfield, or a historical WWII plane in Colorado Springs, they will build ever-lasting camaraderie and memories for a lifetime! All money raised will provide year-round training and athletic competition to more than 15,000 Colorado athletes with intellectual disabilities.

In addition to the plane pull, each location will feature a Strong Human challenge where individuals can see if they have what it takes to pull a prop plane on their own. In the Young Athletes Adventure Zone, kids who raise a $30 donation get to compete in the Truck Tug.

Spectating guests will have just as much fun cheering on their favorite teams while enjoying food, vendors, and music.

Suppose you’re still on the fence about the Plane Pull. In that case, Gentry has some words of encouragement, “Every event we have been a part of has been fun for all of us and with it lifelong memories and a participation in being part of a legacy.”

Those interested in registering for the Plane Pull, Truck Tug, Strongest Human Challenge, or cheering on the teams can visit https://specialolympicsco.org/planepull/ to learn more.

About Special Olympics Colorado
Special Olympics Colorado provides year-round training and competition in 21 sports for nearly 16,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities living in the state of Colorado. With the support of more than 10,000 volunteers and the generosity of Colorado citizens, corporations, and local businesses, Special Olympics Colorado can offer more than 100 events annually to individuals ages two and up.
Participation with other athletes, Unified partners (typically developing peers), coaches, sponsors, and volunteers, builds confidence. It creates opportunities to participate as productive and respected members of society by increasing public awareness of the athletes’ capabilities. For more information, visit SpecialOlympicsCO.org.

About Law Enforcement Torch Run Colorado
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics. At its most basic level, more than 1,200 Colorado Law Enforcement Officers (Guardians of the Flame) and Special Olympics Colorado Athletes run the “Flame of Hope” to Opening Ceremonies of Special Olympics Colorado competitions. As a whole, LETR encompasses a variety of year-round fundraising events such as Polar Plunge, Tip-a-Cop, Plane Pull, and other special events. All fundraising proceeds directly benefit the athletes of Special Olympics Colorado. For more information, visit SpecialOlympicsCO.org/letr.