Seniors and others will go ‘over the edge’ on Lacey building to raise money for nonprofit
It’s one thing to support a nonprofit by buying a ticket to a gala, bidding in an auction or playing a round of golf. It’s a bigger commitment to rappel down a building, mountain climber style.
That’s exactly what 30 local people — including 17 senior citizens and one 10-year-old — will do at Senior Services for South Sound’s first Over the Edge fundraiser, happening Saturday, June 29, in Lacey’s Huntamer Park.
“It’s something different and exciting, and it’s such a great mission fit for us,” said Mike Gregory, the organization’s development director. “We’re all about helping seniors live their best lives, and these seniors will be showing how active and engaged they can be by doing something as brave as rappelling off a building. It was a no-brainer.”
Those who will be descending two by two from the Washington State Gambling Commission building — with gear and expertise provided by Over the Edge, a Canadian company that has organized more than 1,000 urban rappelling fundraisers — have already raised at least $1,000 each, and it’s not too late to donate.
“People have said, ‘Are you nuts? Are you crazy?’ ” said Kathy Mix, 73, who retired from a long career in state government. “But I’m not too worried about it. I figure they are going to show us how to do it, and we’ll bounce down that building.”
Though she has rappelled once before — 30 years ago as part of an Outward Bound program — Mix admitted she’s no expert.
“I’m not a mountain climber,” she said. “I don’t know anything about rappelling. I’ve asked people I know for advice. They said, ‘Lean into it, relax into it. Lean back.’ That’s what I plan to do. I’m going to lean back and relax.
“I’m not a big fan of heights,” she added, “but the buildings in Lacey are not that tall. If it were the Capitol dome, I’d probably be a little more nervous. If it were the Columbia Tower (in Seattle), I might not have signed up.”
Just how far will the volunteers be descending?
“It’s not going to sound impressive, but It’s about 60 feet — just over four stories,” Gregory said. “It’s tall enough that it’s going to feel scary for people going down.”
He’s certain that he’ll be scared when he rappels down alongside his 81-year-old mother, Debby Yaffe of Victoria, B.C. “Both of us will be screaming, I’m sure,” he said. “I’m terrified of heights.”
Gregory knows, though, that he and his mom won’t be the only fearful ones. “I’ve talked to many of our participants who have all said something along the lines of ‘I’m scared of heights, but I believe in this cause, and I want to do it,’ ” he said.
Mix, too, was motivated by the opportunity to help.
“When I heard about the fundraiser, I had just read a Senior Services newsletter about isolation and loneliness in the elderly population and what an increasing problem that is,” she said. “That really touched me. … Senior Services has so many wonderful programs.”
Over the Edge
What: Thirty people, more than half of them senior citizens, will rappel down a building to raise money for Senior Services for South Sound, and everyone’s invited to watch. There’ll be live music, too, and snacks and soft drinks by donation.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 29
Where: Huntamer Park, 618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
More information: https://give.overtheedge.events/southsoundseniors
