Joe Hittel (centre) with Anakin Suerink and his mom Elizabeth Eckert at 2019's Rope for Hope event in downtown Red Deer. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Sheldon Spackman

Supporting Wishes

“Leprechaun Joe” still going strong in support of Make-A-Wish

Jun 19, 2020 | 10:36 AM

An 85-year-old man planning to once again rappel down the side of Red Deer’s Stantec building in a leprechaun suit this fall in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is hoping you can help his fundraising efforts Friday evening.

Starting at 5:00 p.m. today (Friday, June 19), local musician Dean Ray will be performing outside his home at Askin Close in Red Deer while selling copies of his recently released new album, “Born To Play” for $15 each. A portion of the proceeds will go towards Hittel’s fundraising campaign for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

It’s the third-straight year Hittel has committed himself to the Rope for Hope event held annually in support of central Alberta children battling a critical illness.

The Red Deer resident notes that all money raised for his campaign is used to help grant a child’s wish, and restore a sense of childhood back to the child and some normalcy back to the family.

“With the help of donors over the last couple of years, I’ve been able to raise just about $47,000” says Hittel. “To send one Wish Kid, it’s $10,000. So far, we’ve sent four Wish Kids.”

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Make-A-Wish® Rope for Hope is described as a unique challenge event that calls on participants to fundraise in support of local wish-granting efforts, in exchange for an exhilarating experience to rappel down a city skyscraper.

The event usually happens in July but this year has been rescheduled to Sept. 19 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hittell was able to help raise $14,000 for a Red Deer youth (Anakin Suerink) during his first campaign in 2018, and last year helped raise $33,000.

“So we sent three more (Wish Kids) last year but they haven’t gone yet because of COVID,” says Hittel. “One is from Stettler and the other two are from Lacombe.”

To donate to Hittel’s Make-A-Wish® fundraising campaign, visit makeawishca.donordrive.com.