Drop Zone fundraiser sends participants down Atlantic Place
Those with an interest in rappelling down a nine-floor building got their wish Saturday through an annual Easter Seals fundraising event in St. John’s.
Drop Zone is an event that benefits Easter Seals programs and services for children and youth with disabilities.
Participants pledge to raise at least $1,000 to take part. Easter Seals hopes to raise $75,000 in 2012.
“I heard about it last year, and I thought, that’s pretty cool, I would love to jump off Atlantic Place,” said Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Const. Nadia Prince, who was among those present Saturday to get a chance to do exactly what she described.
Prince was already familiar with the art of rappelling through her police training, unlike HITS-FM radio personalities Brian Bradley and Sarah Kettle, each of whom took a turn hopping down the side of Atlantic Place.
Steele Communications was among the sponsors for Drop Zone 2012.
“It was amazing,” said Kettle, who had some extra fun while moving down the building, pausing at times to attempt dance moves.
“I love this stuff,” said Bradley, who has sky-dived in the past.
Kettle said while she talked tough about the idea over the past two weeks, she began to experience some nervousness the night before the event.
“I was very nervous up there, but it’s totally safe. It’s for an amazing cause, and I feel like a million, gazillion bucks now.”
Steve Barnable accompanied a youth he worked with through Way- points to watch last year’s Drop Zone.
“I just really got excited about this, and I told my wife about it — she’s after jumping out of airplanes — so I kind of got shamed into meeting the challenge,” he said after finishing his rappel.
“I must say, I was pretty relaxed on the top, but when I got out towards the edge, of course, it certainly takes on a different perspective then. But after the initial adjustment, I found the more I moved along and progressed down the wall, your confidence builds.”
Easter Seals Newfoundland and Labrador CEO Mark Lane said in a news release the group needs to raise $1 million annually in order to provide its programs and services to clients.