Teams of 10 were on the runway at the Jack Garland Airport in North Bay on Friday morning for the annual United Way North East Ontario’s plane pull. Putting their muscles to the test, Team IG Wealth Management didn’t need to strain to move the 30,000-pound twin-engine jet aircraft. “We have been strategizing to the best of our abilities on where to stagger, who to go at the front, who to go at the back,” said Kevin Reid, IG Wealth Management’s regional vice-president. Standing a few feet away and sizing up the competition was Voyageur Aviation’s Team, ‘Pull Hard Method.’ “We were only two seconds off last year, which put us in the Top 5. We’re really hoping to do a little bit better and get on the podium this year,” said team captain Jim Sterns. “We’ve been joking that we’re all doing our workout sets at home.” Team Enbridge collected $8,000 for the plane pull. Over the years, Enbridge has supported several of United Way’s local community fundraising initiatives, raising more than $1 million. “It really warms our hearts because we get to give back where we live, work and play,” said Anna Iati, Team Enbridge’s captain. “That’s the key goal for us at Enbridge for sure.” With all their might, 33 teams had their chance to grip tight, put their backs into it, pull the plane 100 feet across the finish line to see who bags the best time and bragging rights. “The strategy is to work as a unit and the team building factor. Just pull as one and you’ll be successful,” said Christian Carrier, District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board’s Team ‘Pushin’ It.’ “We’re taking baby steps this year. So watch out for us in 2032!” The plane pull has been going on for eight years. United Way has a goal of raising more than $40,000 in donations. “It allows the community to pull for something greater than themselves,” said Tamika Daniels, United Way North East Ontario Nipissing-Parry Sound regional manager. “We have a plethora of focus areas that we support.” All money raised goes back into the non-profit’s community fund, which supports programs in the community and member agencies within the United Way. “We allocate those funds to programs and organizations and agencies throughout the community. We have quite a (few) more funded partners. Some new ones are Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the City of North Bay,” Daniels added. She said that in trying financial times, it can be difficult to raise money. So she’s grateful that many community volunteers, businesses and organizations stepped up once again for the cause.
