Columbia residents go 'over the edge' to support Special Olympics
story by Ty Scheets, posted Dec. 9, 2009
video by Carah Hart, Ty Scheets, Kari Weis and Sarah Woodhurst
Atop the historic Tiger Hotel in downtown Columbia, people could be seen preparing for a trip down the side of the tallest building in the city. Over the Edge, a charity event benefitting Special Olympics Missouri, was held as a fundraiser on Oct. 4. The event was the first of its kind in Columbia.
Operating solely on pledges and donations, 40 participants scaled the walls of the hotel, raising more than $40,000 for the charity. Participants had to be at least 18 years old, raise $1,000 for Special Olympics and weigh less than 300 lbs to participate in the rappelling.
After being trained and properly harnessed, participants took the elevator to the ninth floor and a flight of stairs to the rooftop. Following final instructions one by one they made their descent.
“It’s a little unnerving when you are out there, but I thought I would look out rather than down, and it went alright,” said Reed Millard following his rappel.
The spectacle gathered a crowd of people below, with several spouses and children watching their loved ones dangle nearly 100 feet from the ground. One daughter didn’t have to look very far to see her father; she made the descent right before he started down.
“I had some experience in the army and did some rock climbing. This should be a little nicer than that, we actually have harnesses today rather than the ancient ropes we used in the army,” said Robert Craig.
His daughter Victoria Craig, journalism major at the University of Missouri, was a little skeptical at first.
“I’ve never rappelled before and I’m not really that great with heights, but it’s definitely something different, something I’m looking forward to,” said Craig.
The Special Olympics fundraiser mascot, a polar bear named Shiver Bear, even made a trip down the hotel as spectators laughed at the oddity of the mascot hopping down the wall.
Through the year, the organization puts on several activities, including the “polar bear plunge”, which is an event where participants swim in the middle of winter to raise funds for Special Olympics. Other fundraisers include a college quiz bowl, bowling tourneys and most recently the Over the Edge event.
“We are thrilled with the way things went, the wind was a little bit unnerving at times, but overall it was a great day,” said Diane Brimer, the Central Area Director for Special Olympics Missouri.
