OAC tugs tractors for good cause

05 | EXHIBITIONIST

06 | REMEMBRANCE 07 | FEMINIST MARKET

The tractor tug is a charity event that’s been run by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph and the OAC since 2006. CREDIT: ELENI KOPSAFTIS

ELENI KOPSAFTIS

Community members representing the University of Guelph gathered along Reynolds walk on Nov. 1 for the annual campus Tractor Tug. With 20 tractor-tugging teams registered and lots of money raised for children in need, the event went off without a hitch.

The Tractor Tug is a charity event run every fall by the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) since 2006. Groups of eight to ten pay to participate and compete against other teams by pulling tractors with a rope towards a finish line. This year, money raised by the event went towards Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Guelph, consequently naming the event Tractor Tug for Tots.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters is a national organization that provides life-changing mentorship experiences, according to their website, and has been doing so since 1968. The Guelph branch has reportedly impacted more than 600 youth.

“Many children and youth in Guelph struggle with societal barriers and face adversities in their lives like detrimental living conditions, family violence, risk factors for mental health, school issues and identity challenges,” reads their solution statement.

“These circumstances have nothing to do with the value of who they are or who they can become, but because of these situations, children and youth risk not having the opportunity to live up to their full potential … With the guidance and support of a mentor, these risks can be reduced or even avoided, and youth are reminded they can be anything they dream of being.”

To raise money for the organization, the team registration fee for the Tractor Tug cost $200, although groups were encouraged to raise extra money if possible. Teams this year were composed of current U of G students, alumnus, and even executives from deans offices.

“The [OAC] executive body as a whole has a say on the organization we decide to support. Because Big Brothers Big Sisters Guelph focuses primarily on youth and the next generation, we were drawn,” said Tractor Tug Committee Chair Rachel Chater to The Ontarion. “Each year we try to share the ‘love’ with all organizations within the Guelph area and try not to repeat organizations relatively close together.”

While the OAC were aiming for a goal of $12,000, an article by CTV News reports that the Tug for Tots raised nearly $14,000.

“Any little bit helps,” said Taylor Brick from Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Guelph to CTV News. “We do a couple of fundraising events that we put on as an agency throughout the year but all of these third party fundraising events–they definitely go a long way.”

After a long morning of tractor pulling–with each group competing at least twice throughout the morning and afternoon–The Ontario Imports team took home the Tots Trophy. They also set the record of the day with a pull of 23.48 seconds.

“[It] feels great. We’ve been pulling since 9:30 this morning. Some heavy pulls. It’s been a long day but we did it,” said Jack Geikie, one of the winners, to CTV News. Another member of Ontario Imports joked that they needed to go to bed and get a massage after all of the tugging.

While it took a lot of strength and teamwork, the group told CTV News that it was all worth it since for a good cause.

“We could not be happier with the success of the event. The external response from sponsors and the general community was more than it has ever been in the past, which we strive to have as it brings such good awareness to the OAC community,” said Chater.

“The tireless efforts to make this event a success this year really showed. [The organizers] all did amazing jobs in their roles on the executive and without each of them it wouldn't have been possible.”

If you’d like to support Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Guelph, you can visit their website at guelph.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca to donate, volunteer, or subscribe to their newsletter.