Members of the community will come together to use their strength for a good cause on Saturday, Aug. 26 as they attempt to haul a 55,000-pound Lubbock fire engine for 75 feet in the fastest time at Gatti’s Pizza (5001 50th St.). The annual Fire Truck Pull is a team-building activity and fundraiser that is open to the public and supports Special Olympics Texas athletes in the South Plains Area. Registration can be completed in advance online here.
The Fire Truck Pull requires teams of eight friends, family members and colleagues to work together to pull the emergency vehicle. All teams are required to have at least one female on the squad. Teams with fewer than eight members should indicate that when registering, as “fill-ins” can be found. The challenge will wrap up with an awards ceremony for Most Money Raised and Fastest Unified Team.
Check-in and walk-up registration begins at 9:15 a.m. and the first pull is slated for 10:15 a.m. The entry fee is $40 per person or $300 per team (8 people).
Teams and individuals are encouraged to collect additional funds in an effort to compete for the “Most Money Raised” award. All funds collected through this event will go to SOTX to provide sports programming and competition training for more than 800 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the South Plains Area.
This event operates under the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR), which is SOTX’s largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. Through efforts like the Fire Truck Pull, Texas LETR raised over $1.4 million in 2016 to support more than 58,300 SOTX athletes across the state.
For more information, contact Ashley Pena (apena@sotx.org) at 806.788.1540.
About the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR)
The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is Special Olympics’ largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle. In Texas, the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1985 and had grown to become one of the largest in the nation. Since getting started in Texas, Torch Run has contributed over $26 million through the dedication of thousands of law enforcement personnel fundraising on behalf of SOTX. The support provided by this dedicated group has contributed greatly to programs in local communities, which involve more than 58,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the state.
(News release from Special Olympics Texas)
