ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — While many people will be enjoying the last unofficial bit of summer on Monday, some 45 people are set to rappel a 12-story downtown Asheville hotel.
The Special Olympics’ first Over the Edge event is set to start at 9 a.m. Participants — individually or as a part of a team — had to reach a $1,000 fundraising minimum before heading to the top of the Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel.
“I may be frozen and singing to myself, but I’m going down,” Nicole Hirshberg said with a laugh.
By Friday morning, 13 people had pledged $1,100 for Hirshberg, who is participating because of her son, Sean.
“It is the sweetest, most pure feeling to be around all those athletes. It’s the way all sports events should be,” Hirshberg said. “Those kids are so proud, and they want to be acknowledged for what they can do.”
Special Olympics of North Carolina Director of Development, Special Events Danielle Weisman said the public is welcome join the fun on the outside patio/breezeway to watch those who are rappeling.
Prescheduled rappels will begin at 11 and finish about 2:30 p.m.
According to its website, Special Olympics North Carolina held its first games in 1970 with 400 participants and has since grown to be recognized globally as one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world. Nearly 45,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities participate in Special Olympics North Carolina.
“You may be wondering what rappelling down a skyscraper has to do with Special Olympics and the answer is simple. If you are a person with intellectual disabilities, you encounter adversities daily,” the event website said. “You must have courage to try something that doesn’t come easily to you. Our athletes bravely face challenges on the field, in the pool and on the court. They are the inspiration for this event.”
Over the Edge is set for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday at Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel, 31 Woodfin St.
A hotel spokesperson said valet parking is $30 a day, and that is an outside vendor. Parking yourself is $25 a day or drivers may use ticketed parking and pay by the hour.