A bunch of people are set to go over the edge April 23 in downtown Morgantown — and they want to take you with them.
It’s all part of a unique fundraiser hosted by Libera, an outreach nonprofit based in the city that provides at-risk women and teens across West Virginia with support and resources they need to hang on — and then get their feet on the ground.
Hanging on, and then putting one’s feet to the pavement, will be a literal part of that day’s activity.
Participants will rappel the eight-story Monongahela Building on High Street for the cause.
Just like last year’s inaugural event, Libera is again partnering with Over the Edge, a Canadian group known for such airborne altruism.
The event runs from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. that day. Visit https://www.liberawv.com/take-action/over-the-edge for a complete list of sponsors and to learn more about the day.
Right now, all Anne Wolfe knows is that while she’s admittedly scared of heights, she’s still going Over the Edge, as it were — because she believes in the organization.
So much so, in fact, that she’s president of its board of directors.
She’s also a co-chair of the fundraiser, with Ann Bartolo and Hattie Wright.
“Every time I go by that building, I look up,” she said. “But I’m conquering my fear.”
It’s not too late to register if you want to conquer yours, she said. Details on the website above.
The organization came about because of the sad circumstances of two people who almost went over the edge … for good.
Libera founder Karen Haring, who has a background in music ministry and community activism, found out after the fact that two people she knew had both attempted suicide — simply because both felt lost, overwhelmed and not worthy of life.
“We all have these lies in our lives and these self-imposed barriers that hold us back,” she said.
“With Libera we tell stories. We made connections. We instill that sense of worth.”
Over the Edge 2021 brought in close to $50,000 and Haring is heartened by that, since every bit of it went back into to the community for outreach — for the people who need it the most.
She likes the rappelling, too, which she says can be a metaphor of just what it means to put both feet on the floor some days.
Last year, on behalf of the organization she founded, she put both feet on the side of the Mon Building, as she looked down at people and cars made suddenly small.
“Hey, I’m scared of heights too, but I did it,” she said.
“It’s like life. There are things out there that you might be afraid of, but you still go out and face them – because you can. You know you can.”
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