By Anna Skinner
Mitch Bonar, a 20-year-old Noblesville resident, has pulled a plane two times and is about to do it again.
The 15th Annual Plane Pull Challenge benefitting Special Olympics Indiana will be Aug. 27, and Mitch could pull multiple times. Each team needs a Special Olympics athlete to pull for the team, as well.
“People should come and support the plane pull because it shows us athletes you care, but it also shows that 20 people can pull a plane,” Mitch said. “Most people don’t think it’s possible to pull a plane, but it shows the accomplishments of going through the struggles in life. It shows we can move through our struggles.”
Mitch’s sister, Tori, also will be pulling, and it will be her second time. Mitch’s mom, Kelly, says she is just happy to see her son fit in.
“Mitch has cerebral palsy and is on the autism spectrum,” Kelly said. “When he started Special Olympics, and I saw him on the track team, it brought tears to my eyes because I saw he fit in. He has even been able to give up some of his therapies because Special Olympics has kept him so active.”
Funds raised by the plane pull will benefit Hamilton County families with children who are Special Olympics athletes.
Teams can be formed up to the day of the event. Twenty people are needed to form one team, and a minimum of $1,200 must be raised. One plane-pull team funds six Special Olympics athletes. Teams will be pulling a FedEx 757 plane.
“(Special Olympics) helps me stay active and involved in my community, and I get to meet new friends, and I get to give others a voice that don’t have a voice,” Mitch said.
To register, donate or for more, visit planepullin.org.
Want to go?
- What: 15th Annual Special Olympics Indiana Plane Pull Challenge.
- When: Aug. 27.
- Where: Indianapolis International Airport, 7800 Col. H. Weir Cook Memorial Dr, Indianapolis.
- Register: soindiana.org/plane-pull.
- Schedule:
7:30 a.m. On-site registration opens
8:15 a.m. Opening ceremonies
9 a.m. Plane-pull competition begins, family-fun festival opens, bubble soccer competition begins
11 a.m. Half-time ceremonies
11:20 a.m. Kids exhibition pull
11:30 a.m. Competition resumes
