The city of Phoenix and US Airways are really pulling for charity.
Forty-six teams from the two entities – 31 from the airline and 15 from the city – joined forces to raise $13,000 for the Valley of the Sun United Way with a jet pull Oct. 15. Teams raced against the clock to pull a 100,000-pound Airbus aircraft 15 feet. Monies raised included proceeds from the actual event, plus sales of hot dogs, soda and chips donated by HMSHost Corp. and entry fees from a hot dog-eating contest.
“Each team donated $10 per person to participate,” says Kate O’Malley, who organized the event for the city of Phoenix Aviation Department, “and each team had 20 members. Some teams donated additional funds.”
About 1,000 people attended the event, held in 90-degree weather at the US Airways Hangar at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX).
“The event was not open to the general public, but employees came to cheer on their co-workers,” O’Malley says.
