CKB Plane Pull Kicks off 2026 United Way Campaign for Harrison and Doddridge Counties
By Julie Perine on October 08, 2025
No one was leaving on a jet plane, but dozens of folks combined efforts to pull one Tuesday morning at North Central West Virginia Airport.
The occasion was a unique fundraiser for United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties, one that officially kicked off the 2026 campaign. Teams were formed to step up to the challenge of pulling a plane across the tarmac. In addition to fastest pull, awards were given for team spirit and top fundraisers.
“We had seven teams, I believe, primarily made up of businesses,” said United Way Executive Director Martin Howe. “We raised $14,000 from predominantly new untapped donors.”
Pulling the plane across the tarmac in an impressive 16.8 seconds was Bankers United, consisting of representatives of MVB Bank, First Guaranty Bank, and Huntington National Bank. In close second place clocking 17.1 seconds was Engine & Airframe Solutions Worldwide.
Top fundraising team was Shakespeare troupe, the Rustic Mechanicals. Team member Jason Young was the top individual fundraiser. Nabbing the spirit award was Okayama Jun, who had traveled from Japan to be inducted into the Salem University Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1996-97 men’s basketball team which advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Among those joining him at the Plane Pull was teammate Tony Washington.
Opening the event with remarks were Howe and Board President Stephanie Goff, who introduced 2026 Campaign Chair Meredith Queen, who shared a heartfelt account of why she became involved with United Way. The program was then turned back over to Howe, who thanked all event sponsors (See sponsors HERE). The Plane Pull was then kicked off with a ceremonial water salute featuring a pair of fire trucks.
The event went well and wrapped up faster than anticipated, despite an early obstacle.
“Although we pulled it off, we did not get the commercial aircraft we thought we were getting due to an incident out of our control,” Howe said. “Plans B and C fell through. Because of the government shutdown, we couldn’t utilize the National Guard plane,” Howe said. “But thankfully, NCWV Airport Deputy Director Shawn Long – who is on our board of directors – reached out to Fairmont State University flight program and they brought over a double engine plane which was small enough for everyone to pull.”
It was Long, who, during a United Way brainstorming session, came up with the idea of a Plane Pull.
“We put a committee together and put all the pieces in place,” Howe said.
Howe said it is hoped the event will continue in the years to come.
“We wanted to make sure participants came out this year to support the United Way, have fun and understand how it all works,” he said. “We definitely look forward to next year’s event with even more participants.”
Team sponsorships benefited the United Way of Harrison and Doddridge Counties, which supports the following service organizations across the area: 4-H Leaders Association of Harrison County, American Red Cross NEWV Chapter, Central WV Community Action, Inc., Family Services of Marion & Harrison Counties, Inc., Harrison County CASA Program, Health Access, Inc., Healthy Grandfamilies Program, Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center, Hope, Inc. Domestic Violence Task Force, Job Squad, Legal Aid of West Virginia, Inc., Scouts America-Mountaineer Council, Senior Meals in Motion, Stars & Strides, The Change Initiative, The Gabriel Project, and The Warming Shelter.
The goal for the 2026 campaign is $780,000.
Editor's Note: Top photo is courtesy of WDTV. Photo just above is courtesy of WBOY.
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