United Way of Southeast Missouri holds annual Over the Edge campaign

Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian

Friday, May 20, 2022

Rappellers, or Edgers, went Over the Edge of the Towers South building on SEMO's campus, descending 200 feet after raising money for the organization through donations. Participants each raised $1,000 from friends and family to donate to the United Way of Southeast Missouri to fund not-for-profits in Southeast Missouri.

Rowdy the Redhawk poses after going Over the Edge on Friday as part of the event. Mascots from Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Central and the Cape Catfish baseball team also rappelled down the Towers South building. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
From left to right: Rope handlers Skyler, Joseph and Josh pose between rappelling descents by the Edgers. The handlers ensured a safe landing as Edgers reached the ground for the rappellers on Friday. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Edger Marla Mills greets the crowd as she reaches the bottom of the Towers South building. Mills worked at the United Way of Southeast Missouri for five years and worked as the executive director of Old Town Cape, Inc. previously. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Executive director of the United Way of Southeast Missouri Elizabeth Shelton completes her 200- foot descent. Shelton began rappelling at the event in 2019 and felt more comfortable this year descending the 12 floor building constructed in 1967. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)

Marla Mills and Elizabeth Shelton congratulate each other after a successful rappel. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Edger Judy Wiesier stops to pose for a picture as she goes Over the Edge at the Friday event. Wieser danced on the side of the building as she made her descent to the delight of the crowd. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Wieser celebrates her landing by dancing to the song she chose to rappel to. Rope handler Skylar detached her from her rope and carabiners. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Maggie Buckley, left, and Mickey Glaub rappel down Towers South on Friday. Glaub is a alcohol and drug addiction survivor who is now three years sober. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Glaub poses with family and friends after his descent at the Over the Edge event. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)

Rope handlers Skyler and Josh perform the "Cupid Shuffle" for the crowd in attendance of the event on Friday. Not seen is rope handler Joseph, who refused to show off his dancing skills. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Karen Bangert and Sarah Nowotny complete the final few feet of their descent as the rope handlers await their landing. Bangert is a retired veterinarian from the Cape Girardeau area who operated on not only pets, but also wildlife. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)
Karen Bangert and Sarah Nowotny pose with rope handlers after they complete their 200 foot descent at the United Way of Southeast Missouri's Over the Edge event. (Beau Nations ~ Southeast Missourian)