Central OK Habitat for Humanity goes Over the Edge

Seventy-six people are wanted to go Over the Edge for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, rappelling 16 stories down Leadership Square in downtown Oklahoma City on Oct. 7.

“As a nonprofit, we always look for new ways to raise additional revenue to help more families. We jumped on the opportunity to bring Over the Edge to Oklahoma City because it allows supporters to take part in a unique experience,” said Ann Felton Gilliland, CEO and Chairman of Central Oklahoma Habitat. “Our goal is to raise $180,000, which pays for home builds for two Oklahoma families.”

Participants must raise a minimum of $2,000 for the cause to secure their rappelling position. To register, sponsor or donate, go to Central Oklahoma Habitat’s website at www.cohfh.org, click on “Over the Edge” and create a personal fundraising page, which allows participants’ friends, family, and colleagues to “sponsor” a rappel.

Rappels will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m. All participants will be treated like VIPs while their supporters cheer them on during their descent. It will take each participant five to 15 minutes to get the bottom of Leadership Square.

Event sponsors include 7-Eleven, Pearl’s Restaurant Group, Guernsey Engineers/Architects/Consultants, Buy for Less, KOCO-TV 5, and Tyler Media’s The Franchise, Jake FM and The Edge. Event spokesman Dr. Doug Beall, spine surgeon at the Oklahoma Spine Hospital, has committed to sign up and is ready to go.

“It’s funny. I’ve climbed the highest peaks on seven continents and was even the first Oklahoman to summit Everest, but I’ve never gone Over the Edge of a skyscraper,” Beall said. “This will be a great experience, and especially because it helps two Oklahoma families realize the dream of homeownership.”

Central Oklahoma Habitat’s motto is “Providing Oklahomans with a hand up, not a hand out.” Each qualified partner family must complete 300 hours of sweat equity, attend financial management classes, and learn about the responsibilities of homeownership by attending Homeowners College. Homes are then sold to the family for the cost of construction and financed with zero interest mortgages.

For more information, go to www. cohfh.org or call 595-2804.