Plane Fun and Fundraising

By Richard Mineards | March 12, 2024

“The Riveting Minds” team with Alpha’s Executive Director Josh Weitzman on the right (photo by Priscilla)

Rain certainly didn’t stop play, nor pulling, when the Alpha Resource Center hosted its third annual Plane Pull at Santa Barbara Airport, raising more than $72,000 for the popular 70-year-old nonprofit, which empowers individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Teams of ten in four divisions, including schools and public safety – military, EMTs and firefighters – were tasked with pulling a 110,000-pound Alaska Airlines E175 20 feet in the example of brute strength with a long rope. The Santa Barbara City Fire Department were the grand champions with the fastest time.

“Our goal was to have 25 to 30 teams raising $65,000, but we exceeded that even with the rainy weather,” says Jeff Henson, the center’s director of development.

The event was hosted by Santa Barbara Airport, Alaska Airlines, and Atlantic Aviation.

Great fun…