To climb over the edge of a high rise is usually a cry for help. But at a recent fundraiser in Stamford it was a sign of help.
Nearly 20 community members rappelled off the roof of 101 Park Place at Harbor Point earlier this month to raise roughly $30,000 for the Special Olympics in Connecticut. By raising a minimum of $1,000 each, participants were given the chance to climb down one of the tallest buildings in Stamford, standing 15 stories high.
Leading the way, John Freeman, the senior vice president and general counsel of Harbor Point, was the first to go “over the edge,” as the name of the event put it.
“It was really scary, but it”™s for a great cause,” Freeman said. “You have to go through a bit of terror, but it”™s absolutely worthwhile.”
When a handful of observers on the ground cheered and encouraged Freeman to stop mid-climb for a picture, he never lost his focus. Not for one moment did Freeman stop climbing to look around and wave. Only once his feet touched the ground again did he smile.
“Fifteen stories is a lot higher than you think when you”™re standing on the edge looking down,” Freeman said. “All I was thinking was, ”˜I hope this rope holds my weight,”™ and trying not to fall.”
Freeman, often the spokesman of Harbor Point, said he”™s been a longtime supporter of and volunteer for the Special Olympics. He estimated his rappel that day raised about $2,700, which is about one month”™s rent at Park Place.
Nearly 13,000 athletes of all ages participate in the Special Olympics program in Connecticut, which provides year-round sports training and competitive games for those with intellectual disabilities. From croquet to sailing and bocce ball to softball, the league offers 27 sports to choose from and holds more than 70 sport events a year. The program is also offered in 170 schools.
“It”™s great to see the athletes get the opportunity to compete and express themselves,” Freeman said. “It displays a tremendous amount of courage. It”™s really rewarding to be involved. I”™m happy to do something like this in order to support them.”
Beau Doherty, president of the Connecticut Special Olympics, said the event was a great fundraiser but also a strategic way to bring more awareness for the program. In the past, the program in southwestern Connecticut has been weaker than in other areas of the state, though that is now changing with growing programs in Greenwich, Darien and Stamford. Doherty said he”™d like to see more participate, however.
The event was about the fifth time Doherty said they”™ve used rappelling as a fundraiser. Previously they”™ve held repelling events at Mohegan Sun and in the Hartford area, in addition to Stamford.
“We”™ve got to get the word out,” Doherty said. “People with disabilities don”™t always make the team at school ”¦ We give them a sense of pride and a social network.”
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