Something BIG is happening right here in Bloomington-Normal! On October 3, 2020, up to 92 community members will be rappelling down the Bloomington-Normal Marriott Hotel & Conference Center to support kids in our community served by the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal and the Child Protection Network. These organizations are hosting this joint fundraiser for its second year, and raised over $50,000 last year with 59 brave souls challenged to raise a minimum of $1,000 for their chance to rappel. As many non-profit fundraising events have been cancelled so far in 2020, this year’s event will be critical for program funding.
This year we are celebrating our EVERYDAY HEROES who make a life changing impact on our area kids. Over The Edge is a thrilling fundraising event that allows individuals, teams, groups, or companies to raise money for local youth and in turn, will have the opportunity to rappel off of the roof of the eleven-story Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. All money raised will benefit both nonprofits, helping to make their missions possible. This year, more than ever, our area youth need your support. Everyday heroes in our community are working hard to provide healthy, safe homes and environments for our most vulnerable children.

The Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal is a youth empowerment organization that provides both summer and after-school programming and activities to those who need us most. The programs are rooted in our pillars of Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles and Good Character and Citizenship to serve the emotional, cultural, and social needs of youth ages 5-18. The Club plays a vital role in the lives of our children by providing a safe environment where they can learn, play, and grow. Their mission is to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
The Child Protection Network supports the Children’s Advocacy Centers in Mclean, Livingston, and Dewitt Counties in their endeavor to investigate crimes against children and provide support to innocent family members and the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program that recruits and trains community volunteers to be a voice for children placed in the foster care system. They have recently expanded their support to other youth serving organizations that include the Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Home + Aid and ABC Counseling.The Child Protection Network (CPN) is an organization whose mission is to provide financial resources that support the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
As the recent pandemic required many indoor events to be abandoned, this outdoor event has the unique opportunity to continue as scheduled. The community has responded with supporting sponsors such as Rope Sponsors, Fox & Hounds Day Spa and Gerry Walheim at Coldwell Banker, Landing Zone Sponsors, Busey Bank & First Site, Ltd., and Helmet Sponsor Jimmy John’s Gourmet Subs. Sponsorships are still available at https://www.bgcbn.org/events/event/over-the-edge/
Some of this year’s #EverydayHeroes will be highlighted as VIPs among the rappellers. These VIPs include: Angie Hart- CASA volunteer, Chandler Brooks- OSF Nurse, Geoff Grosse-Bloomington Fireman, Jessie Nicoson-Media Specialist Dist. 87, Lynn Shook- Stevenson Elementary School Principal Dist. 87, Robert Bosquez- Building Engineer at Benjamin Elementary Unit 5, Roxanne Hartrich- ReMax Choice & owner of Kara & Kaylees Kloset, Tanya Blumenshine- Kindergarten Teacher at Sheridan Elementary Dist. 87, Tom Wagner- Towanda Mayor & Fireman. Additional VIPs are currently being selected. To nominate a VIP, please contact either organization.
As of July 27th, seven teams and twenty-six participants have commitment to supporting these valiant efforts. Free activities for the whole family will be available on the ground as the community gathers to watch friends and loved ones be #FearlessForKids and go #OverTheEdge on October 3rd. Event activity sponsors will host various opportunities for play including obstacle courses sponsored by Iron Coyote Challenge Park, kids activities sponsored by The Gingerbread House, music, food and beverages, and more. MazPix Photography and Justin Miller Photography will be on site to capture all the memories, and Raptor PPE will be sponsoring face masks, temperature stations and sanitation to keep everyone on site safe and having fun during these unprecedented times.
If you are FEARLESS FOR KIDS and ready to go OVER THE EDGE, this event is for you! Join our EVERYDAY HEROES for this once in a lifetime opportunity. A one-time experience for you = a lifetime for our kids.
To register and start fundraising, participants can visit the online peer-to-peer fundraising website at www.overtheedgebn.org