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

Granting Wishes

Rope for Hope Red Deer set for Saturday in support of kids with critical illnesses

Sep 16, 2020 | 3:20 PM

An 85-year-old Red Deer man will be joined by roughly two dozen other brave souls Saturday as they rappel down the side of Stantec Executive Place in support of Alberta children battling critical illness.

For the third-straight year, Joe Hittel, a.k.a. “Leprechaun Joe,” is taking part in the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s annual Rope for Hope event.

The event calls on participants to raise money in exchange for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to rappel down the edge of a high profile building across several Canadian sites. All money raised goes towards granting the wishes of children with critical illnesses.

After raising over $14,000 in 2018, second most in all of Canada, while granting a wish for one child, Hittel collected over $33,000 last year helping to grant wishes to three critically ill children.

Make-A-Wish Foundation says it costs about $10,000 to grant a wish to a child.

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This year, Hittel is proud to say the community has helped him raise nearly $46,000 – making him Canada’s top fundraiser once again.

“I feel great,” he exclaims. “With the way the economy is and with COVID, I think we did an excellent job. But we still have a few days to go.”

“They’re so happy when they find out their wishes have been granted. And when I go from business to business, they’re getting to know me and they know exactly what I’m after. Some even gave me more money than they gave me last year!”

Hittel says that includes a $10,000 donation to his campaign from Bulldog Metals in Red Deer.

The idea to take part in Rope for Hope came to him “out of the clear blue sky,” as he describes it, in April of 2018.

“I phoned the coordinator in Edmonton and she talked to me and registered me and asked, ‘Are you going to wear a costume?’ and I said yes,” he recalls. “She asked what kind, and I said a leprechaun suit. She asked, ‘Are you Irish?’ and I said nope. Not even a bit! So I wear my leprechaun suit in all my rappels.”

Although rappelling down the side of a tall building is a terrifying thought for most people, Hittel says it’s going over the edge that’s the hardest part.

“It didn’t worry me at all. As far as heights, it didn’t bother me. Once I’m over the edge, I’m relaxed coming down.”

Hittel will be joined again this year by the very first kid he helped grant a wish to – Anakin Suerink. They’ll be among the last to rappel on Saturday at around 4:30 p.m.

“We love Joe,” says Leanne Gullekson, Communications & Marketing Officer for Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta. “He’s an incredible ambassador and such a great supporter of our mission. It’s generous, committed people like Joe that make such an impact on the kids living in our community.”

“We simply cannot do what we do without the support from our community. And now that we’ve had to put some wishes on hold until it’s safe to grant them, it’s more important than ever to give kids the hope that a wish brings.”

This Thursday, Sept. 17, Red Deer musician Dean Ray will perform live from his driveway (20 Askin Close) starting at 7:00 p.m. in support of Hittel’s campaign. You’re encouraged to bring a lawn chair and be physically distanced while in attendance.

To register, donate or find out more about 2020 Rope for Hope Red Deer, click here.