NJ Cops Oct18 | Page 67

22nd Annual Special Olympics Plane Pull Families pulling together for a good cause The family unity of Essex County Sheriff’s Officers Local 183 was in full strength when 22 members and their children went nose-to-nose with a Unit- ed Airlines plane. The Plane Pull has become an annual favorite and when it comes to precious days off, Local 183 members never hes- itate to spend them in support of the Special Olympics with their families on and off the job. “We are a family outside of work, too,” stressed Jayson Rodriguez who, af- ter 10 years on the job, took on the role of Plane Pull team captain. “It’s about coming out here together and showing unity.” The power of family was especial- ly evident to Local 183 Vice President Paola Pose, who pulled the plane along- side her blue brothers and sisters as well as her 5-year-old daughter, Gabriella. “It feels like a blessing to see so many 66 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ OCTOBER 2018 of us come together, even outside of the job,” Pose stressed. “It’s for a good cause and there’s no better way to teach our kids to give back.” Local 183 invited participating mem- bers to bring their children along for the pull. Rodriguez and his teammates dis- cussed strategy to get the plane moving but once the time came, nothing mat- tered other than working together for the cause. “That thing is heavy,” Rodriguez at- tested. “Strategy kind of goes out the window; it just comes down to getting it rolling.” The Local 183 family force did get the wheels moving, and the team proudly donated more than $1,400 to Special Olympics New Jersey. 