(L-R): Jen Garden, Make-A-Wish Canada, Randy Mabbott, Grand Central Properties, Joe Hittel, and Clayton Ganson, Stantec, atop Executive Place on July 16, 2021. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

rope for hope

‘Leprechaun’ Joe Hittel honoured for huge 2020 Make-A-Wish contribution

Jul 17, 2021 | 6:15 AM

Three years, three rappels, and about to add a fourth, Red Deer’s ‘Leprechaun’ Joe Hittel was taken by surprise on Friday.

The 86-year-old was invited atop the Stantec Building where he usually heads back down the outside.

Today, however, Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta brought him up to present a plaque honouring one of his biggest achievements.

In 2020, Hittel was the top fundraiser in Canada, and over the course of three years he’s raised more than $102,000.

With Rope for Hope 2021 happening in Edmonton, he’s already raised another $20,000 to add to that amazing total.

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“Joe is our fearless and tenacious fundraiser. He means the world to us,” says Jen Garden, Manager of Development, Make-A-Wish Canada. “The first year was a little shocking. He came in and said he was 84, but as I got to know Joe, we realized age wasn’t something he sees or feels, and since, we’ve used his age to inspire others to do Rope for Hope as well.”

Hittel himself says the surprise honour today means the world to him.

“I always think of myself as an ordinary Joe. Everybody says I’m a hero or this and that for doing this, but I’m happy to do it,” he says. “I’ve shed lots of tears with the stuff I’ve learned by talking to the kids and parents I’ve helped.”

Garden says since October, Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta has granted more than 50 wishes, and in April 2021, more than 100 were granted across Canada.

On Aug. 28, Hittel and many others, including Red Deer’s Anakin Suerink, will rappel down the Coast Edmonton Plaza Hotel, which is 10 storeys taller than Executive Place.

On that making it more frightening, Hittel joked that it really doesn’t.

“It just means I’ll have more time to relax coming down.”

Hittel is holding a fundraiser with live music from 12-3 on July 17 at the Ross Street Patio. Last week, he received a Mayor’s Recognition Award.

RELATED: Rope for Hope raises more than $100,000 for Make-A-Wish