10:10am | This Saturday, October 29, Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell, along with Councilmember Gary DeLong and Hotel Maya’s Director of Rooms Courtney Prather, will rappel down a 16-floor highrise building as part of “Over the Edge,” a fundraising event for the Special Olympics of Southern California (S.O.S.C.).
McDonnell, DeLong and Prather volunteered to rappel down the Hyatt Regency Long Beach in an effort to raise money for this worthwhile cause.
Chief McDonnell stated, “The Special Olympic athletes dedicate many long hours of training, and regularly push their own boundaries as they train throughout the year. ‘Over the Edge’ will help raise money and awareness for them, and will also give us a chance to push our own boundaries in the process. I invite the community to join us and cheer us on as we support a very worthwhile cause.”
“This is a terrific way to generate interest in Special Olympics Southern California and raise much needed funds on their behalf,” said Kristi Allen, General Manager at Hotel Maya – a DoubleTree by Hilton. “The Hotel Maya team will be cheering for Courtney and all the athletes throughout the day.”
“I’m naturally competitive so when the opportunity to rappel the 16-story hotel was presented on behalf of Hotel Maya, I was immediately committed to meeting the challenge to support Special Olympics Southern California,” says Prather.
No prior rappelling experience is required to participate in “Over The Edge.” A team of experts will assist participants the entire way. “Over The Edge” is free for public viewing and support of the “edgers.”
The rappelling fundraiser will be supervised by trained rappelling professionals and part of an all-day “Celebrate Long Beach” event. “Edgers” will be encouraged to wear Halloween costumes, and the event will feature a spirited assortment of food, prizes, and Halloween themed festivities, including a costume contest. An assortment of food trucks including Sprinkles, Lobsta Truck, Bollywood Bites, Spud Runners and Bool Korean BBQ will also be at the event.
S.O.S.C. athletes compete year-round in a variety of sports throughout Southern California, and the proceeds from “Over the Edge” will help purchase equipment and cover other expenses to support the S.O.S.C. and its athletes.
“We are grateful to all of the participants in the ‘Over the Edge’ event,” said Bill Shumard, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “Our nearly 11,000 athletes in Southern California are known for their impressive courage everyday of their lives, so we appreciate the courageous support by Hotel Maya to take part in the event.”
Anyone wishing to make a contribution to support either participant’s efforts can do so by visiting Chief McDonnell’s event page, or Courtney Prather’s event page.
To learn more about this event, visit www.sosc.org/overtheedge.