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Fundraising Event of the Year: Republic Airways Plane Pull
The Republic Airways Plane Pull, now in its 13th year, is a tug of war, carnival and fundraiser in one.
The main event is teams of 10—this year’s event had 53 such teams—trying to pull an Embraer aircraft 15 feet in the shortest amount of time. Teams must raise a minimum of $2,500 to participate. The winning team gets Republic Airways flight vouchers.
The day also includes visits from local team mascots, fair princesses, stilt walkers, balloon artists and face painters, plus games, a bounce house, food and the chance to get up close with an airplane, an ambulance, a helicopter and giant snow-removal equipment.
This year, more than 2,000 people attended the Plane Pull, which is presented by Lucas Oil. Proceeds from the event, which is held every April at Republic’s west-side hangar, benefit Indiana Wish, Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Riley Children’s Foundation and A Kid Again. The event also honors Tyler Frenzel, an Indiana Wish recipient who died of leukemia in 2004 at age 9.
In its first year, 2011, the Plane Pull brought in $37,000, all of which went to Indiana Wish. As the event got bigger, other charities were brought in. This year, for the first time, the benefit—which now includes a gala the night before at the Lucas Estate—raised more than $1 million. The money is divided among the four organizations.
Amy Arnell, Republic’s director of corporate and community responsibility, came up with the idea to have a Plane Pull. A volunteer with Indiana Wish, she was looking for a way to connect the organization and her employer.
“It just started with being a volunteer and a few other volunteers,” Arnell said. “We thought this would be a fun way to get the community involved and get our company involved and provide an opportunity for our associates to do some good in the community.”
She brought the idea to management, and “our executive team has always been extremely supportive. They said right away, ‘Let’s do it. Tell us what you need.’”
Last year’s Plane Pull netted $278,000 for Indiana Wish. Executive Director J’Lynn Edwards described it as “an amazing day put on by Republic” that over the years has helped the lives of hundreds of Indiana Wish kids and their families.
“The Republic Plane Pull is more than just an event—it’s a powerful demonstration of community coming together for a greater purpose,” she said. “It’s about more than fundraising; it’s about creating moments of hope, joy and lasting memories during some of the most challenging times not just in the child’s life but the entire family’s. The strength, spirit and generosity on display at the Republic Plane Pull helps turn wishes into reality—and that impact lasts far beyond the day of the event.”•
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