Rope for Hope raising funds for Make a Wish Foundation

On July 22 a group of brave men and women will take to the top of the Stantec Executive Place and rappel down during the Make a Wish foundation’s “Rope for Hope” fundraiser.

This is the first year for the event in Red Deer, said Heather Harcott, Development and Events Coordinator for Make-a-Wish Northern Alberta, but they plan to host it annually moving forward.

Participants can sign up right up until event day. They must be 14 years of age and meet a minimum weight requirement of 110 lbs as well as raising the minimum donation amount of $1500.

“The great thing about this event is that all types of people can participate. The only real requirement to rappel is bravery,” Harcott noted.

Deborah Waines-Bauer, associate manager of Marketing and Communications for Make a Wish Canada, said even if people don’t want to rappel they can get involved as donors or sponsors as well.

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Funds raised in the event stay local and Waines-Bauer said that is a huge draw for community members to take part. Donations then go to assist in the wish-granting process for local families like the Von Hollen’s, who had a wish granted just last year.

Jolene Von Hollen said she and her team are doing Rope for Hope here in Red Deer because her youngest son, 4-year-old Sawyer, was granted his wish of going to Disney World in 2016.

Sawyer was diagnosed with Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) last year and Jolene said the Make a Wish foundation was so good to her family and now they want to give back.

Jolene and her team of five, Sawyer’s Super Squad, are close to raising their total funds to be able to participate, but she said nerves are running high.

“My mom is rappelling with me and started to get very nervous when she realized she had hit the minimum goal. I’m very excited for the whole event and think it will be a great day, but I will be glad to have my feet back on the ground.”

The Rope for Hope event nationally has raised $1,070,059.67 to date with a total goal of $1,600,000.

Sawyer’s Super Squad’s super hero theme, Jolene said, seemed fitting for a group of people scaling the side of a building while raising funds to help grant wishes for kids.

“We have a couple of dare devils on the team who love this kind of stuff and a couple who are not so keen on the whole idea,” said Jolene.

To get involved, donate, or sponsor a team visit www.ropeforhope.ca.