This past Tuesday, we hosted one of our most anticipated events of the year: our employee food truck fest and airplane pull, bringing together employees, partners, and the community for a day of fun, teamwork, and charity.
We couldn’t have done it without the efforts of our employee engagement team, with members Jackie and Lisa leading the charge to organize the plane pull in partnership with Make-A-Wish Minnesota. When asked about the events impact, Jackie shared, "It’s one day a year that we all get together to do good for a great cause. Who doesn’t love supporting kids! Not everyone can say they have pulled an aircraft across the tarmac - I know it’s one of my ‘go-tos’ for two truths and a lie."
Marie on our brand team expertly led the food truck fest, which offered six food trucks, complimentary drinks from our partners at Caribou Coffee’ and their 'Bou Truck, and frozen treats from Big Bell Ice Cream Company. The 800 employees who attended grabbed co-branded posters from Minnesota United FC, snapped photos with the Twin Cities Photo Bus, and enjoyed appearances by St. Paul Saints' Mudonna and MNUFC’s PK. With raffles for Broadway tickets and giveaways from ID90 and Wings Financial, the event was packed with fun and appreciation for our employees.
Now, let’s dive into some impressive stats from the airplane pull. Over 400 participants from 22 teams pulled a Boeing 737-800 weighing over 100,000 lbs. Teams pulled the plane 50 feet, with the fastest teams clocking in at:
1st place: Tarmac Titans III (15.03 seconds)
2nd place: Pilots (15.72 seconds)
3rd place: Castle Lake (16.34 seconds)
The fundraising efforts were equally extraordinary. The executive leadership team raised a whopping $55,855, while total funds raised for Make-A-Wish Minnesota have exceeded $100,540—and counting!
Special recognition goes to RES (customer service team) for winning the Team Spirit Award. Their energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to making the event special were unmatched – not to mention their creative costumes.
"The work Sun Country Airlines does for Make-A-Wish is phenomenal! The plane pull is just one event, but it’s by far one of my favorites, from the planning stages all the way through the event itself. The teamwork, excitement, and wonder we see from teams, participants, and beneficiaries is what I love most,” said Lisa.
As the day wrapped up, one thing was clear—our annual airplane pull and food truck fest is more than just a company event. It’s a powerful demonstration of what we can accomplish when we come together for a shared purpose. We can’t wait to see you all again next year, ready to pull that plane and enjoy the festivities for a great cause!
Interested in learning about more ways we’re involved in the community? Check out more stories now.