United Way ADK: Rappel for a Reason is on

PLATTSBURGH | If anyone asked why you'd climb down the face of a nine-story building, now there is a reason. Standing under the facade of Lake View Tower, officials from United Way of the Adirondack Region invited local adventure seekers to Rappel for a Reason. The United Way ADK 2026 fundraising kick-off is a welcome to the edge and over -- down 100 feet of rope affixed to a rig atop the tower. United Way ADK is working with Plattsburgh Housing Authority to host the rappel event, a secure rope challenge coordinated by urban rappelling company Over the Edge. Already, 70 area business and civic leaders, including the Saranac Teachers Association at Saranac Central School, have signed up to walk backward down the wall. So far, no other schools are named on the Teams list. Lake View is a community housing property managed by the City of Plattsburgh. Residents who live here are already raising funds to support the United Way ADK campaign. To get on the ropes, rappellers have to raise a minimum of $1,000 in sponsorship for United Way ADK programs in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. The idea was brought to the board by President and CEO John Bernardi, who saw a similar event put together by colleagues in Watertown. There are time slots for 90 people to go over the edge. "As you know, the human service needs in our region are significant and growing in urgency," Bernardi said at a recent press conference. "We're seeing increased need for help, increased calls to our non-profit network and government agencies as well. "As we prepare to kick off our next campaign for the 2026 year, we have initiated a really fun and exciting new event: Over the Edge. "We'll have people rappelling off the top of this building right here on this very spot, right behind me," he said, pointing up. Bernardi said he is absolutely going to clip into a harness and climb down Lake View Tower. Mark Hamilton, executive director of Plattsburgh Housing Authority, said they are very excited to partner with United Way ADK for the endeavor. "We have residents in this building who have done fundraising already; they are excited to see the event unfold," Hamilton said at the launch conference. "There have been a couple of residents that have wanted to participate," he said. "We are here for whatever the United Way needs; we know how important the United Way is to the community and the support they provide to the entire Adirondack region." Bernardi thanked their organization's steering committee for contributing time and effort that has already raised $67,000. "We have about 70 rappellers lined up already for Saturday, the 13th of September. "Our goal is to raise $75,000, I have no doubt we're going to make that," Bernardi said. "We're pleased with that progress." The United Way ADK Rappel for a Reason Steering Committee is comprised of staff, board and partner members: Holly Black, Bryan Hartman, Randi Christodoulou, Shelby Gonyo, Sadie Styles and Susan LeBlanc-Desrocher. Black said she loves rock climbing. "My favorite part of rock climbing is the rappelling," she said. "I'm so proud of this team. And I think this community is really excited for this event. "I am hopeful to see some cool costumes," she added, "hopefully some spidermans, and Jackie Kelliher will be rappelling, so I'm going to convince her to wear a Wonder Woman costume -- she doesn't know that yet," Black said with a big grin. "If she sees this later, Jackie, that's our goal." With Over the Edge, she said, this should prove a great start to their fundraising season. OVER THE EDGE United Way ADK Outreach Specialist Bryan Hartman tested the ropes, literally, last year, volunteering with Over the Edge to see if rappelling might be a good fit for Plattsburgh and add a daring kind of fun to fundraising. "The perceived risk is great," he said. "I've volunteered with this organization, and from a safety perspective, these events couldn't happen if they ever had issues. "Every rappeller is attached to two ropes, one that they control how they go, and the backup device that -- if they happen to go a little too fast -- the device automatically stops them. And so it's an extremely safe event," Hartman said. "They're excellent at what they do, we're really excited to partner with Over the Edge." The one requirement is weight, Hartman said, the ropes fit people a minimum of 100 pounds in weight to 300 pounds. But rappelling partners can help people with physical challenges. United Way ADK Board member LeBlanc-Durocher introduced a dare for area employees: to drum up funds and send their favorite boss over the edge. FIND OUT MORE On rappelling day, Sept. 13, ropes will run in two lines down Lake View Tower. A training session beforehand is designed to help each person learn the ropes. Time slots will vary, but organizers said it takes a couple hours of time to learn, get rigged and then about five minutes to climb down from the roof. To Rappel for a Reason with United Way ADK, area adventurers have to sign up for a slot online: unitedwayadk.org Sponsorship drawings and updates are announced via United Way ADK social media: facebook.com/UWADK Rope spots go for at least $1,000 in sponsorship, and funding could be raised through the rappeller's workplace, cohorts, company, friends, family and neighbors. To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Bryan Hartman at the United Way ADK via email: bryan@unitedwayadk.org Or call: 518-569-4823 To check out the height, Lake View Tower is at 34 Flynn Ave. in Plattsburgh. To find out more about Over the Edge: overtheedgeglobal.com UNITED WAY OF THE ADIRONDACK REGION United Way of the Adirondack Region works with 34 partner agencies throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties, where 41 percent of households are below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, ie. working families often with two or three jobs. "Many ALICE households make difficult decisions every month on whether to pay for rent, buy groceries, or pay for needed medications," Bernardi said. All money raised through United Way ADK campaigns help households, families and individuals here avert financial crisis, he said. Every dollar raised stays in this region.

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United Way ADK: Rappel for a Reason is on

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