This September, Easter Seals BC/Yukon and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley are challenging the community to step outside their comfort zone and rappel down the outside of the Metrotower 1 - all in support of children and adults living with disabilities.
“Get your bragging rights in and join us for our inaugural year in Burnaby,” said Lisa Beck, president and CEO of Easter Seals BC/Yukon, in a news release. “We’ve held this event in Vancouver for over 15 years and we’re excited to bring it to Burnaby this year where 50 people, including Mayor Hurley, will rappel 28 storeys and help us raise funds for Easter Seals.”
The event takes place Thursday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Metrotower 1 at Metrotown in Burnaby.
“Mayor Kirk Duff of Castlegar, who is on the board of Easter Seals, challenged me to rappel and I immediately accepted,” said Hurley. “I am excited to take part in this event and bring awareness to our city’s commitment to removing barriers and creating a welcome environment, as well as bringing awareness to the important programs and services Easter Seals provides for people with disabilities.”
Funds raised help send children and adults with disabilities to Easter Seals summer camps across B.C.
“Our Easter Seals summer camps have been running for over 50 years,” said Beck. “They are nature based, fully accessible overnight camps for children, youth and adults to age 49 with disabilities. Campers explore and develop their abilities in a safe and supportive environment, and of course have a lot of fun!”
The Drop Zone event is open to both individuals and organizations, many of whom use the event to engage their employees and focus their fundraising efforts towards one cause – Easter Seals.
“We’re holding the event at Metrotown during the business day, so companies like to make it part of an employee event, where everyone can watch and cheer each other on, whether it’s on the ground or from an office window,” said Beck. “We’ve seen employees nominate a member of their leadership for a ‘Toss Your Boss’ day, and other departments band together to form a team to bring their employees together. It’s a lot of fun to see people come dressed as a superhero.”
You can register as an individual or a team at www.dropzonebc.ca.
