On May 18, four members of the Intellisoft team used all the muscle they could muster to pull an airplane across the tarmac at the Greenville Downtown Airport. They were participants in the fourth annual Red Shoe Society Plane Pull, a fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas.
Ronald McDonald House Charities works to assist families with sick children by providing meals, housing, and accessibility to the care and resources the children need. Before the plane pull event, a family who benefited from RMHC shared their inspirational story with the crowd. Matt Layman noted, “It was quite the experience. We got to meet the people who work for the Ronald McDonald House and the Tanner family, who were there to share their story of how the Ronald McDonald House has helped them get through some tough times. Their story helped motivate me for the plane pull.”
For a company that specializes in serving the aviation industry, the opportunity to have a little fun with a plane while, at the same time, supporting a great cause was irresistible. Intellisoft donated $1,000 and registered to compete against 21 other teams to see who could pull this two-and-a-half-ton aircraft 100 yards in the shortest amount of time. Not knowing how difficult the challenge might be, our novice team was nonetheless willing to push themselves to the limit as they pulled the plane along the runway.
The Intellisoft team normally spends their days inside with comfy chairs and air conditioning while working hard to keep airports safe and secure, but, for one day, they stepped out into the elements. They pulled together with all their might in support of the families who are receiving help from RMHC. Those who participated felt like they had never before exerted so much physical energy. However, even after two members ended up being treated for dehydration and exhaustion, they say the experience brought them closer together. The Intellisoft team clocked in at 1 minute and 13.05 seconds; far above their expectations. And that brief time made a big impact.
All in all, it was absolutely worth it. The Red Shoe Society raised over $22,000 for RMHC – a significant increase over last year.
The plane pull was the second time this year Intellisoft donated to a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities. They also supported RMHC by pledging money for every bench press completed by Clemson linebacker, Kendall Joseph, at the NFL Combine. Visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities website to learn more about how they create a “home away from home” for families whose critically ill children are being hospitalized.
