Communities in Schools of the Heart of Texas is taking its support of local education to new heights Saturday at downtown Waco’s Texas Life Building. The “Over the Edge: Dropping In to End Dropouts” event will give participants the opportunity to rappel off one of Waco’s tallest building while empowering students to succeed in school.
The first 92 participants to raise a minimum of $1000 will have the chance to descend 138 feet from the top of the Texas Life building.
“CIS-HOT believes in supporting children and teens every day to stay in school and achieve in life, while facing obstacles with courage, but we cannot do it alone,” said Venée Hummel, resource development coordinator, in a press release.
Experts from Over the Edge USA, a rappelling company specializing in nonprofit fundraising, will show the ropes to participants before they take the leap of faith from the top of the building.
Communities in Schools will also host a block party from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Washington Avenue between Ninth and Tenth Streets near the Texas Life Building. Event attendees can expect college football tailgating, free haircuts and shoulder massages courtesy of Sport Clips, cheer and dance performances, food trucks, games and bounce houses.
As the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, Communities in Schools aims “to champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life,” according to its website. The Heart of Texas local affiliate aids 30 schools in 12 surrounding districts including Chilton, Clifton, Connally, Fairfield, Itasca, La Vega, Marlin, Mexia, Teague, Waco, West and Waco Charter School.
Registration requires participants to be 18 years or older, and no climbing or rappelling experience is necessary. The registration fee is $100, which will count toward the $1000 minimum to rappel.
Interested participants may still register online, though space is limited. Visit the website to sign up and donate.
