Going ‘Over the Top’ – Rappelling 31 Stories for Charity
This particular day will be a tough one to top (pun intended).
Start with one of the most celebrated days of the week in Hawaii – Aloha Friday. Throw in an adrenaline pumping activity like rappelling off of the tallest building in Waikiki. Finally, add as the beneficiary of over $100,000 in donations from the event. Like I said – this day will be tough to top.
I was both honored and excited to represent Civil Beat as I took the elevator to the roof of the Sheraton Waikiki. But when I saw the metal contraption that the experts were standing on to help rappel folks down, my heart began to pound. I’m not admitting I was scared or anything like that (actually I think it was just hunger), but 315 feet up is pretty high.
Over 100 volunteers who each raised at least $1,000 in sponsorship funds were ready to take the plunge. Outfitted with various safety equipment and aided by a team of trained experts, one-by-one we marched to the top of Waikiki and rappelled down. With an amazing view and a cheering crowd waiting below, I took my decent for .
Special Olympics Hawaii
If you are not familiar with the organization, let me share their mission with you:
“Special Olympics Hawaii’s mission is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. All services are provided at no cost to the athletes or their families.”
Proceeds from Over the Edge Waikīkī will benefit Special Olympics Hawaii’s Holiday Classic which allows athletes to compete in basketball, singles, double and Unified team bowling, as well as traditional and Unified doubles bocce ball. Special Olympics’ Holiday Classic is hosted at Hickam Air, Force Base, Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base and Naval Station Pearl Harbor every December. For more information or to sign up for next year’s Over the Edge event, please contact Kyle Karioka at Kylek@specialolympicshawaii.org
If you’d like to make a contribution on your behalf or in honor of someone you know, you can do that .
Do you have any personal experiences with Special Olympics Hawaii? I’d love to hear them in the discussion below!
