A View from Over the Edge
Ever wonder how you would get the most exhilarating view of the Raleigh skyline? Picture this: helmet on, feet at a 90-degree angle against the building, strapped into a harness, hands free, dangling 35 stories. Thankfully, I’m not afraid of heights.
This unbelievable view and the butterflies in my stomach were made possible by the hard work and generosity of Triangle Young Professional Civitan Club. Each year, Triangle YP hosts a Cornhole fundraiser in support of Special Olympics of North Carolina (SONC), and the donations go to Over the Edge.
Over the Edge is SONC's signature fundraiser, open to any organization or individual raising money. The model is simple: for every $1,000 an organization/individual raises, one spot is earned to rappel down the side of a downtown Raleigh skyscraper.
I get the question a lot: what does rappelling down a skyscraper have to do with Special Olympics? SONC answers it better than I can.
“If you live with an intellectual or developmental disability, you face adversity every single day. You have to find courage to try things that don't come easily. SONC athletes do that on the field, in the pool, on the court — and they're the whole reason this event exists.”
And let me tell you, it is not easy. You're holding yourself at a 90-degree angle against the side of a building, using every bit of core strength you have, while staying coordinated enough to manage the rope and the rig at the same time. It looks graceful from the ground. It is not.
Our members go over for all kinds of reasons. Some are thrill-seekers who've been waiting all year. Some are genuinely scared and do it anyway. Some go in honor of a specific athlete they've met while volunteering at the annual Summer Games. But underneath all of it is the same thing: supporting the intellectual and developmental disabilities community is at the heart of Civitan International.
Over the past five years, I’ve had the honor of going over-the-edge or being the loudest cheerleader on the ground. This year was no different; I was told I was the only one they could hear clearly from the top.
We'd raise money for SONC with or without Over The Edge. But this gives us something we can't manufacture on our own: a loud, visible, city-wide moment that raises awareness right alongside the dollars, and gives organizations all over the state a reason to jump in and support the athletes.
Whether it’s staring across the beautiful Raleigh skyline or cheering from down below – every September Over the Edge is the place to be! If you would like to help SONC reach their 2026 goal, please go here to donate.