United Way hosts first Over the Edge event, funds still needed

They all had different reasons for jumping off the building. But the 40 or so people who rappelled 147 feet down Southeast Missouri State University’s Towers South dormitory Friday did it to help the United Way.

Southeast Missouri State University president Carlos Vargas-Aburto poses for a photo Friday next to fellow "edger" Bruce Skinner moments after rappelling down Southeast's Towers South dormitory during United Way of Southeast Missouri's Over the Edge fundraising event.Joshua Hartwig

United Way of Southeast Missouri executive director Elizabeth Shelton considers the organization to be underfunded, even after Friday’s fundraiser. United Way set a goal of $50,000 for Friday’s event; it was not known as of press time how much was raised.

“It’s a little lower, to be quite honest, than we were hoping for this year,” she said of the overall fundraising totals. “These are our last two opportunities for people to really help other people in our community who are living on the edge every day.”

Funds will be dispersed to United Way partners, Shelton said, helping 30 programs spanning four counties in Southeast Missouri.

An hour before rappelling Friday, Shelton, though nervous, said she couldn’t ask the community to take part if she also didn’t participate.

But Voices for Children/CASA board member Lisa White was first to take the jump.

White said she chose the “exhilarating song” “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne because she knew it would give her energy and confidence to take the dive.

There was no specific time White wanted to attain in rappelling down the building, she said. She “just wanted to make it down.”

“It was exhilarating, but I felt like I was in confident hands,” she said after reaching the ground.

White said she enjoys zip lining and has tackled moderate rappelling, but nothing like Friday’s affair.

CASA is a funding partner of United Way, White explained. United Way of Southeast Missouri’s funding partners were encouraged to put together rappelling teams, so she assembled a group of six.

And some of the proceeds will go back to Voices for the Children/CASA, she said.

Through CASA, the court appoints trained volunteers to be advocates for children in foster care, White said. When a child is removed from his or her home because of abuse and neglect, she said, a judge appoints CASA to represent the interests of that child.

Making a quick jaunt down the wall to the tune of Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” was Derieck Hodges. Hodges is a financial planner with Anchor Pointe Wealth Management.

“My wife volunteered me,” he said with a laugh. “She’s on the board, and I certainly have been engaged with United Way in a number of ways, so I certainly supported it.”

His personal connection with the organization also played into his decision to participate.

“I love Read to Succeed,” he said. “I love so many of the agencies United Way helps, but I have volunteered with Read to Succeed for six years, probably. ... Those kids, they work hard, they try hard, so this is a neat way to honor them.”

Southeast president Carlos Vargas-Aburto also made the leap Friday with assistance from The Beatles classic “Help!”

Vargas-Aburto said United Way approached the university and asked whether it would host the event.

“And we looked into and said, ‘Yes, perfect,’” he said. “It’s a good cause; they need the help.”

Vargas added, “I volunteered. Very often I say ‘yes’ before I even think about it.”

More than 56,000 people have gone Over the Edge of nearly 400 buildings during 800 events. Towers South had to pass a safety inspection before being approved for the event, and adherence to all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) laws and SPRAT procedures is enforced. Over the Edge provides professional rope handlers and technicians to safely help all rappellers, according to the organization’s website.

United Way of Southeast Missouri began in 1950 and has grown “as a result of people wanting to find a more effective and communitywide approach to care for one another.”

Donations are still being accepted online at www.unitedwayofsemo.org.

jhartwig@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632