The fundraiser was made possible through a collaboration between the nonprofit organization, the hotel, the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, and Over the Edge, a Canadian special events company that organizes rappelling adventures for nonprofits across the country.
Special Olympics organizations in other states have hosted similar events, but this is the first one in the Commonwealth, according to Mary Beth McMahon, senior vice president of Special Olympics Massachusetts. McMahon previously organized Over the Edge events for Special Olympics in San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Reno, Nev., and she brought the concept with her when she came home to Massachusetts.
“The Hyatt Regency was my partner in San Francisco,” McMahon said in a July 8 phone interview, “so they made the introductions to the Hyatt Regency here in Boston, who’ve been a phenomenal building partner. Because as you can imagine, convincing a building to allow people to rappel off their roof is not very easy.”
McMahon said unusual events like this can help attract donors at a time when the economy is making it more difficult for every nonprofit to raise the funds it needs. So far, the event has attracted 84 rappellers for 100 available slots, most of whom were not previous donors to the organization.
“It’s attracting a whole different group of people to Special Olympics, which is great,” she said. “Though we do have some of our family members and coaches and volunteers going over, the majority of people are new to Special Olympics, so it’s a good introduction to us as a program to these people.”
Anyone who weighs between 110 and 300 pounds is eligible to participate. “You don’t need any training,” McMahon said. “They provide all the ropes and the technicians.” She said the event also meets federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards for safety.
Each participant is required to raise at least $1,000, but McMahon said those considering the plunge shouldn’t be intimidated by that.
