No, they aren’t filming another “Spiderman” movie in Williamsport. Those people you will see this Friday, September 23, from 3 to 10 p.m. rappelling down the side of the William Hepburn High Rise are people raising money for several worthy area non-profits, the River Valley Regional YMCA, the YWCA of Northcentral Pennsylvania, and the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation.
“This is our 5th Annual Over the Edge Williamsport event. This daring urban adventure allows community members to voluntarily commit to raising at least $1,000 in exchange for the opportunity to rappel down the 90-foot William Hepburn High-Rise,” Jessica Servano, Development Director for the River Valley Regional YMCA, told Webb Weekly.
This year organizers are expecting more than 70 rappellers to descend with the sun on Friday evening, September 23, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“Descend With the Sun,” is a new feature to this year’s event. It should take the adrenaline to a new level when rappellers make their decent in the evening and into the night.
For the event’s rappellers, no experience is necessary. Over the Edge provides the organizers with a trained and certified team that will be on-site the day of the event to show our participants everything they need to know to go over the edge safely.
Over the Edge Global supports non-profit organizations in running unique, profitable and exciting urban rappelling fundraising events. Since 2008, they have helped non-profits around the world raise over $100 million.
“This year, our event has moved back to the original building, the William Hepburn High-Rise, and we are so grateful to the Lycoming County Housing Authority for welcoming us back,” Servano said.
She continued, “Returning as our Title Sponsor again this year is UPMC. They have been instrumental in helping to make this event possible, and we appreciate their continued partnership and support. This year we have five UPMC providers going Over the Edge during the 6 p.m. UPMC Hour.
For the River Valley Regional YMCA specifically, the funds raised by the courageous rappellers will go to support programs and services that are made available for all within our community. Officials appreciate each individual who has committed to going Over the Edge for the RVR YMCA and are excited to see the impact their dollars raised will have on our communities. There are six branches that make up the RVR YMCA, and this year they have rappellers participating from not only Lycoming County but also Clinton County and Tioga County.
Since 2018, Over the Edge Williamsport has raised more than $275,000 to benefit the three non-profits, has sent more than 265 individuals Over the Edge, and participants and sponsors have rappeled a collective 320 feet.
Greg Hayes, Executive Director of the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation, believes the “Over the Edge” fundraiser has been very beneficial to this organization. “The education foundation is happy to have been able to partner again with River Valley Regional YMCA and YWCA Northcentral PA. In particular, the foundation is grateful to those who have spent the last several weeks and months fundraising on our behalf to secure their rappel spot. We’re thankful for all of those who have donated to the individual efforts that collectively support the work we do.”
The YWCA of Northcentral PA is also looking forward to this year’s event. The money raised for the YWCA will go towards the many programs that the YWCA has to support women and families in need. The YWCA is the oldest and largest women’s membership movement in the United States. There are 312 YWCAs across the country, representing two million women, girls, and their families.
Since its inception nationally in 1893, the YWCA has been developing services and programs to allow women and their families to live with dignity and peace.
Throughout Lycoming County and Northcentral Pennsylvania, the YWCA’s focus is on helping people build better lives. They do this via the services of their Liberty House and Wise Options programs.
In conjunction with this year’s Over the Edge event, the 1st Annual UPMC Community Block Party will be held. This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on West Fourth Street and Elmira Street in Williamsport. There will be food trucks, health information, live music, prizes, vendors, a kids’ zone, and more.
