BANGOR — Local businesses and organizations are lining up to see who can pull a jet aircraft 20 feet in the fastest time, and they’re doing so to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine youth mentoring programs.
 
The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine Plane Pull, co-hosted by Bangor International Airport and C & L Aviation Group, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10. The event will take place at the Airport (287 Godfrey Blvd.) beginning at 10 a.m.   

The event is expected to host upwards of 20 teams—each comprised of 8 to 10 people—who will compete, with a trophy awarded to the team with the fastest pull. Independent teams may participate by fund-raising a minimum of $500 per team entry. Prizes will also be awarded to the top fundraisers who will be helping to reach a goal of raising $40,000. Big and Little matches will be competing as well, and will be treated to aircraft tours following the event.

According to BBBSMM Executive Director Gwendolyn Hudson, funding from this year’s Plane Pull comes at a crucial time.

“The need for Bigs, especially male mentors, is critical in the greater Bangor area,” Hudson said. “Children benefit from positive, consistent and dependable relationships. We currently have 75 kids throughout our seven-county service area, waiting to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister. Funding from the Plane Pull event will help create those critical, one-to-one friendships that change lives for the better.”

Bangor International Airport is proud to help host this event, which we hope will bring attention to the need for Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors in our area,” said Bangor Director Tony Caruso. “It’s also a great opportunity for us to support a local organization while showcasing the airport and the great work our team does, as well as that of one of our largest tenants, C & L Aviation.”

The Plane Pull will support new community-based matches, as well as Bigs and Littles at school and site-based mentoring programs this fall at Boys and Girls Club of Bangor (matched with Bigs at Husson University) and at Leroy Smith Elementary School in Winterport, where Littles are mentored by students at Hampden Academy.

Spectators are welcome to attend the event and cheer on teams. For more information about the BBBS of Mid-Maine Plane Pull, including sponsoring or registering a team, or for information about becoming a Big, visit bbbsmidmaine.org, email Elizabeth@bbbsmidmaine.org or call 207.370.8716.