Avelo Plane Pull Raises $40K for Special Olympics

Avelo Airlines and various companies and community organizations helped raise more than $40,000 for Special Olympics Connecticut Sept. 12. 

The airline, which first launched flights from Tweed New Haven Airport in 2021, partnered with Special Olympics for the first plane pull event of its kind in the state. 

“We’re so excited to continue to build on our partnership with the Special Olympics,” Avelo founder and CEO Andrew Levy said. 

“It’s a great example of teamwork—everyone pulling in the right direction.” 

Community Partnerships 

Levy and other executives and employees participated in the event. 

A team from Shelton-based financial services company Procyon ultimately won the strength test. 

The team pulled the 90,000-pound 737 passenger jet 20 feet in less than seven-and-a-half seconds. 

Hartford HealthCare and Marcum LLC were among the companies that formed teams. Other groups included the Avon, Naugatuck, and Waterford police departments.

WWE was the event’s platinum sponsor.

Bozzuto’s Inc, Eversource Energy, Pratt & Whitney, and Webster Bank also pledged financial support to benefit more than 10,000 athletes across the state.