For the third time, more than 80 brave individuals will be rappelling down the side of one of Williamsport’s tallest building — in this case the Genetti Hotel — to help raise funds for three worthy non-profit groups, the River Valley Regional YMCA, the YWCA of Northcentral Pennsylvania and the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation. This will take place beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. this Saturday, September 19.

This daring urban adventure allows volunteers who raise $1,000 or more for either the RVR YMCA, the YWCA, the WASDEF or all three, to experience our city’s longest rappel — 150 feet from the top of the Genetti Hotel.

The three non-profits came together in 2017 to bring Over the Edge Williamsport to our community for the first time in the fall of 2018.

Currently, 80 rappelers are registered for the event with room for a total of 92. To have the privilege of rappelling, each participant must raise $1,000 to be used for the charities.

“With this being our third year of Over the Edge Williamsport, we wanted to create some new excitement around the event. We are thrilled to provide our adventurous supporters with the opportunity to rappel the 150 feet from the Historic Genetti Hotel.

“With that, we have seen a tremendous response from our community in terms of support and participation. Of our 80 rappelers who are registered, approximately 75 percent are first time participants in Over the Edge Williamsport. In addition, we are grateful for the businesses in our community who have stepped up to help make this event possible. A special thank you goes out to our Landing Zone Sponsor, UPMC and our Media Sponsor Backyard Broadcasting,” Jessica Probst, Development Director River Valley Regional YMCA, told Webb Weekly.

Brittany Fischer, Communications & Development Director at the YWCA Northcentral PA., said, “With this being my first year with the YWCA and helping manage this event, I have quickly come to find the amazing support that the community shows when they see a collaborative fundraiser. Over the Edge doesn’t just engage thrill seekers. It engages community supporters willing to experience a daring adventure because they are passionate for the causes behind the adventure, allowing our agencies to go on making strong impacts on the communities served.”

Probst said for rappelers, there is no experience necessary, that’s one reason this event is so great — anyone can participate. She said they work with a team from Over the Edge to execute the event and safety is the top priority. To help with the event, members of the Williamsport and Selinsgrove Army Recruiting Office man the ropes, providing support and encouragement to those individuals going Over the Edge.

Funds raised for the three non-profits will support:

River Valley Regional YMCA: to support programs and services that meet community needs through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

YWCA: will directly support the women who are working on rebuilding their lives after experiencing violent crimes and/or homelessness.

Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation: Funds raised for the WASDEF will help launch a COVID-19 Relief Fund for the school district, which will support educational resources and technology, mental health resources for students and resources to support economically disadvantaged students.

To see a full list of who is going Over the Edge or to donate to support your favorite rappeller, visit give.overtheedge.events/williamsport2020.