Bright Horizons ADAPT ERG Partners with Denver Area Employees to Support Special Olympics Colorado at Epic Plane Pull Event

September 19, 2024 – At the start of 2024, Bright Horizons’ Abled and Disabled Advocates Partnering Together (ADAPT) Employee Resource Group (ERG) identified a desire for members to connect as a group while also giving back to the local community.  During a planning meeting, one of the co-chairs shared a personal experience about partnering with a local Special Olympics chapter to raise money for the organization. This idea resonated and it spawned the group to explore local events in which they could participate.  

It didn’t take long for them to discover an exciting opportunity to support the upcoming Special Olympics Colorado’s annual fundraising plane pull event. The event is held at Denver International Airport and consists of teams of up to 25 people competing to pull a United Airlines plane twelve feet across the tarmac in the fastest time. 

The ADAPT ERG knew they had to participate. They worked quickly to connect with the appropriate Bright Horizons departments to coordinate a plane pull team consisting of ADAPT ERG members, local field operations and center staff, and employees from the Colorado office. 

The Bright Horizons team participated along with over 100 teams and a total of 2,244 people pulling the plane. The Bright Horizons ADAPT raised an impressive $3,000, contributing to the $360,000 overall amount raised for Special Olympics Colorado. 

“Part of ADAPT’s mission is to create connection and representation through a strong community where everyone feels involved, encouraged, and supported,” said Jessica Craver, Senior Learning and Development Specialist at Bright Horizons and ADAPT co-chair. “This event is an example of how a team can come together around and idea and embodies how we can help make a difference. It is our employee value proposition coming to life, where we had the opportunity to connect our passions and ADAPT’s purpose and make a possibility a realty.”

The funds raised from the event benefit over 23,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities who rely on Special Olympics Colorado for year-round sports, training, competitions, health screenings, and leadership opportunities, all provided at no cost to them or their families.

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