Contacts:
Kim Pine, Asst. VP, Communications & Marketing           Sharon Diggs-Jackson, Public Information Officer
Special Olympics Southern California                           Long Beach Airport
office 562.354.2611, cell 562.221.3787                       office 562.570.2678
kpine@sosc.org                                                      shdiggs@longbeach.gov

Pull a Plane? Yes, You Can!
Join the 2nd Annual Plane Pull Event to Benefit Special Olympics

LONG BEACH, CA – Superheroes may be playing in movie theatres near you, but local heroes can be found at the Long Beach Airport flexing their muscles at the 2nd Annual Plane Pull on Saturday, August 16, 2008. Proceeds from this unique event will benefit Special Olympics Southern California.

It’s “man vs. machine” as teams of 20 pull a 153-foot, 158,000-pound FedEx 727 aircraft 25 feet down the tarmac. “This is the ultimate test of strength and endurance,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “Teams of 20 people will play tug-of-war with the airplane, and the winners will receive bragging rights for a full year.”

“Long Beach Airport is proud to once again host this unique community event to benefit local Special Olympics activities. We hope the public takes advantage of this rare opportunity to support a great organization,” said Christine Edwards, Airport Operations Manager, a 2007 participant.

“Last year’s event raised $16,000 and this year’s goal is to more than double that to $35,000,” said Shumard. To help reach this goal, each team must raise a tax-deductible minimum of $1,000 to enter. Individuals, or groups with less than 20 members, may participate for a tax-deductible minimum of $50 per individual.

Law enforcement agencies, fire departments, as well as powerlifters and body builders, private companies, colleges and the local community are all welcome to compete. The winners will receive prizes for fastest pull, slowest pull, and most creative team.

Teams or individuals should sign-up at www.socalplanepull.com. Registration for teams, and team assignment for individuals, is also available the day of the event, beginning at 8:45 a.m. Competition will begin at 10 a.m., and after all teams have exhausted their physical resources, participants will be treated to lunch.

The Plane Pull is sponsored by Tesoro Corporation (Elite Class Sponsor); Long Beach Airport and Long Beach Special Events and Filming (Presenting Co-Sponsors); U.S. Bank; and Wescom Credit Union.

About Special Olympics:
Special Olympics Southern California is a year-round program of sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 12,500 athletes in 11 counties train and compete in 18 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. Visit Special Olympics Southern California at www.sosc.org.

About Long Beach Airport:
As the oldest municipal airport in California, Long Beach Airport (LGB) is proud of its 85 years of public service. Founded in 1923, LGB has been a source of substantial economic activity and business opportunities. Currently LGB hosts five airlines, serves nearly three million commercial airline passengers annually, offering non-stop service to 16 US cities and is among the top five busiest general aviation airports in the world, with more than 370,000 annual operations. As a center for air cargo carriers more than 51,000 tons of cargo are transported via LGB annually. For more information please visit www.lgb.org.

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