TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A first-of-its-kind event for the capital city dared folks to conquer their fear of heights for a great cause.
Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida brought their partnership with Over the Edge to Tallahassee for the first time Saturday, hoping to raise $75,000 in the process.
The group challenged fundraisers to raise $1,500 before rappelling down the Double Tree Hotel downtown.
All day long, groups harnessed up and emerged onto the roof of the hotel, sixteen stories above Adams Street.
At the bottom, loved ones and friends cheered as they took a leap of faith and began the journey down.
WCTV’s Madison Glaser was among those who tried rappelling for the first time Saturday.
She said the scariest part was just emerging onto the ledge at the top, leaning back and putting your weight -and your faith- into the harness.
Make-A-Wish alums and their families were there supporting the rappelers.
Aaron Silverman and his wife, Betsy, began an unthinkable journey when their daughter, Bailey, began a battle with brain cancer.
The Tallahassee family says their Make-a-Wish experience gave them a much needed break from hospital rooms and check ups.
Bailey’s wish was to see Moana on the beach in Hawaii. They spent five days at a Disney resort there.
“It’s kind of a break away from the daily of what you’re having to deal with,” Aaron Silverman said.
“You just get to kind of clear your mind and just be a family. Enjoy your family.”
Make-A-Wish Vice Chair Morgan Bailey said there are 47 children on the waitlist to have their wishes granted in Northwest Florida.
A brave rappeler begins the journey down outside the Tallahassee Double Tree during Saturday’s Make-A-Wish Over the Edge event.(WCTV)
The courage of those rappelling down the hotel, a nice tribute to the bravery of Make-A-Wish families.
“This is nothing in comparison to what the children go through when they’re fighting the illnesses and challenges they face every day,” she said.
“And of course, we were just really excited to be here to support the children.”
The money raised Saturday should help ten children get their wishes granted, Make-a-Wish said.
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