Fire Truck Pull Returns To Lawrenceburg, Benefiting A Great Cause

Monday, July 26, 2021 at 9:30 AM

By Special Olympics Indiana - Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The Lawrenceburg Fire Department will once again, for the ninth year, partner with Special Olympics Indiana to host the annual Fire Truck Pull to benefit Special Olympics athletes residing in Ripley, Ohio and Dearborn counties. Presented by the City of Lawrenceburg, the Pull is scheduled for Saturday, August 14th at the Lawrenceburg Civic Park.

“After being cancelled last year, along with the majority of Special Olympics’ activities, due to the pandemic , we’re very excited to once again partner with the Lawrenceburg Fire Department,” said Greg Townsend, Program Coordinator for Special Olympics Indiana - Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties.

Teams of 15 or less will show off their teamwork and strength as they play the ultimate game of tug-of-war with the department’s largest ladder truck, weighing in at 37 tons. Each team raises a minimum of $500 to see who can pull the fire truck 50 feet in the shortest amount of time. The team doing so will not only gain bragging rights, but will also receive the Fastest Pull Challenge trophy. Other trophies up for grabs are second and third place trophies for the Fastest Pull Challenge, the Lowest Combined Weight Challenge, where teams are challenged to pull the truck with the least number of team members, and the team and individual trophies for the most money raised for Special Olympics. Register you team by August 5th and receive an “official” Fire Truck Pull t-shirt for each of your team members. To register your team or to learn more about the event visit www.soindiana-rod.org/ftp or call Greg Townsend at 812-584-6861.

The first pull of the day, the Kiddie Pull, free to children 8 years or younger, will team together with “Fire Pup”, the fire department’s canine mascot, to challenge their “kid power” against the fire truck.

All proceeds from the event go to support Special Olympics Indiana—Ripley Ohio Dearborn Counties, allowing athletes with intellectual disabilities to train and compete on a local, state, national and international level.

THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

11:00 a.m. Firehouse Grill Opens (Concessions)
12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Fire Truck Team & Kiddie Pull Registration
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Safety Town
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Opening Ceremony
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Kiddie Pull
2:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Pull w/ Awards Immediately Following

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round athletic training and competition in 26 Olympic-type sports for more than 4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 150 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. There is no cost to participate in the Special Olympics. Visit the Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA

Special Olympics Indiana provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in over 21 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, reaching 14,000 athletes across Indiana. The organization receives no federal or state appropriated funds, is not a United Way agency and relies entirely on corporate, civic and individual donations. For more information about Special Olympics Indiana, call (317) 328-2000 or visit www.soindiana.org.

ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS INDIANA – RIPLEY OHIO DEARBORN

Special Olympics Indiana – Ripley Ohio Dearborn is part of the international network of accredited Special Olympics Programs that reaches more than 4 million athletes with intellectual disabilities worldwide. The Program provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in aquatics, basketball, bocce, bowling, corn toss, cross country, equestrian, flag football, long distance walking, motor skills activities, powerlifting, snowboarding, snowshoeing, softball, track and field, and volleyball. Reaching approximately 216 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, the delegation is managed by a group of volunteers who give time to a program they believe in. The delegation relies entirely on corporate, civic, individual donations and fundraising on the local level. For more information about Special Olympics Indiana - Ripley Ohio Dearborn, call (812) 584-6861 or visit www.soindiana-rod.org.