The creative minds that brought you the annual Festival of Giving and Festival of Golf fundraisers have a new and exciting family-oriented venture planned for this June 23 that will send you Over the Edge.
The Chatham-Kent Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation staff are planning an Over the Edge event at the Holiday Inn Express in Chatham that involves participants rappelling 100 feet down the side of the hotel.
Regional Manager of Over the Edge, Jason McLaughlin, joined Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation staff at Holiday Inn Express Monday to launch the Foundation’s new and unique fundraising event.
According to Foundation board chair Mike Grail, Over the Edge brings thrill-seeking and fundraising together for a full day of adventure and exhilaration, all in support of the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation’s Butterfly Building Campaign.
‘It’s going to be an incredible event people haven’t seen before in this area. We’re going to have 90 people scaling from the roof 100 feet down the side of the building,” Grail said at the event launch. “Everyone going over the wall will have to try and get $1,000 or more, but we anticipate doing a lot better than that. It’s something that’s new and fresh and people are already getting excited and signing up on the website.”
He added they will be coupling the event with a carnival-like atmosphere thanks to the Holiday Inn suppling space, with a family-friendly area and activities.
“We really just want to celebrate Chatham-Kent; celebrate the Children’s Treatment Centre.”
Foundation executive director Mike Genge and manager Shelby Sanchuk researched the idea and found that Over the Edge was all about fun and safety, Grail said.
“Once again, we are so happy from the Foundation’s perspective to bring an event that has not been done in C-K,” said Genge. “We are proud to partner with Holiday Inn Express, to put on this unique event. This will be a family-friendly event that will be fun and exciting with a carnival atmosphere.”
Some of the participants already signed up include Entegrus CEO Jim Hogan, who got suited up at the launch in the rappelling harness to get his first lesson.
“It’s going to be a fun day. I’m not a fan of heights but I’ll do it for such a good cause,” Hogan said. “The Treatment Centre is a fantastic facility. There are lots of special needs here in Chatham-Kent and this is a chance to help out children and young families and join forces so children can be as successful as possible.”
Retro Suites also has a team of five participating and employees Jenna Shaw and Halleigh Lucier helped with the launch, as they eyed the height of the wall they would be repelling down.
Grail, who is participating with his son Carson, who receives services from the Treatment Centre, said they are both excited about going “over the edge.”
The event is open to people with special needs, including people in wheelchairs as long as they can use their arms and hands.
You can support Over the Edge by registering as an “Edger,” sponsoring an Edger, or sponsoring the event. To participate as an Edger, individuals need to raise $1,000, or $1,500 to attach a GoPro to their helmet and take back a copy of their experience. Edgers can build their own Over the Edge donation page to post, share or e-mail to friends and family for easy fundraising.
Individuals can register online at otecwe.com/chatham or call the Foundation at 519-354-0520 ext. 266.
