The United Way Centraide North East Ontario celebrated its second annual ‘Big Red Fire Truck Pull’ on Tuesday, with 12 teams competing for a cause. It was windy, rainy and chilly outside, but the event still shone with warmth as teams gave it their all, pulling a 12-tonne fire truck 100 feet in support of the United Way. “Of course, we’re here to raise funds that support a lot of community organizations across the city,” said Cory Roslyn, the executive director of the United Way Centraide North East Ontario. “But we’re also here to have a good time and spend some time together with our donors, our partners, the organizations, to celebrate the work that we’re doing across the community and hope people have a little bit of friendly competition.” Teams were competing in three different categories: spirit, funds raised and quickest time to pull the truck 100 feet. “I think the times just keep getting better and better,” Roslyn said. “That competition and rivalry, I think, across the teams is going to continue to grow.” While the competition was tough, one team soared to victory, dragging the truck the full distance in just 13.1 seconds. JY Doiron with Vale Mine Rescue joked they had “more horsepower.” ‘So much fun’ Mine Rescue also succeeded in raising the most money, followed by the two Hatch Teams. “We’ve been supporting United Way, like, all these years. and we’re going to keep doing it for the community,” said Doiron. While RBC may have logged the slowest pull time, they more than made up for it with their team spirit. Brittany Beaudry, branch manager at the Four Corners RBC, was seen sporting a sequined cowboy hat and fake mustache with her team. “It was so much fun last year,” Beaudry said. “It’s great to get out to the community, and, you know, it’s what we do. So, we had a lot of fun.” Roslyn said that when the community pulls together, changes are made, and the change made this year raised around $20,000. The truck pull event in Sault Ste. Marie will be held Thursday at the Station Mall.
