07/08/2013

July 8, 2013 — CVG will be the site of a “plane pull” for Special Olympics Kentucky this fall, with local teams proving their strength by pulling a DHL cargo plane.

Teams are already forming for the Oct. 19 event and an informational meeting is planned July 10 for team captains who want to learn more. The Captain’s Kickoff will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chuy’s in Florence. This is the chance to ask questions and get an informational packet.

Anyone can form a team of 20 and take their chance at becoming the fastest team to pull the 140,000-pound plane. The Plane Pull is a perfect team-building experience for any company or organization, but teams can also be made up of family, friends, neighbors or organization members -- anybody who wants to have a great time while supporting Special Olympics Kentucky athletes.

A men’s team, women’s team and co-ed team will be crowned champions for being the fastest to pull the mammoth plane 12 feet. Prizes will also be awarded to the top individual fundraiser and top fundraising team, as well as the team that has the best team spirit (usually in the form of a team cheer) and the team with the best team t-shirt.

The plane pull will take place on the ramp of the DHL Express Hub. CVG is one of DHL’s three global super hubs, connecting more than 100 service centers and international gateways. More than 90 percent of all packaged shipped with DHL in the United States come through the company’s CVG hub.

Teams raise at least $1,000 (or $50 per team member). The money supports Special Olympics, which is the world’s largest program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Participation in competitive events is open to all individuals eight years of age or older. Training and competition in local, area, state, and national programs is offered year-round in Kentucky in 15 sports.

In addition to its traditional sports competitions, Special Olympics also offers early childhood programming through the Young Athletes Program and medical screenings though the Healthy Athletes Initiative. Special Olympics Kentucky has been changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in Kentucky for 43 years. Find them on Facebook at facebok.com/sokentucky or follow them on Twitter: @sokentucky.

For more information about how to sign up for the 2013 Plane Pull — or for sponsorship information — visit www.soky.org or contact Julie Goodpaster at 502-695-8222 or jgoodpaster@soky.org.