Community Members Push Limits for Centre County United Way

Community Members Rappel Down State College High-Rise for a Good Cause

More than 20 individuals took part in an exciting and meaningful event by rappelling 155 feet down the side of a downtown State College high-rise on Tuesday. This daring activity was part of the Over the Edge fundraiser, which supports the Centre County United Way (CCUW). The event aimed to bring together community members to raise funds for local residents in need.

This year’s fundraiser marked a change from its usual location at Beaver Stadium, where it had been held for the past two years. Instead, the event moved to the Hyatt Place State College at the Fraser Center, located at 219 W. Beaver Ave. While this was the first time the United Way fundraiser has taken place at the hotel, it is not the first time the Hyatt Place has hosted Over the Edge. In fact, the hotel previously worked with Bellefonte FaithCentre and Interfaith Human Services, along with the special events company Over the Edge, to host similar events in 2018 and 2019.

Ja Nae Wian, the CCUW campaign and relationship manager, explained that the move to the Hyatt Place was made due to ongoing construction at Beaver Stadium. “The team at the Hyatt has hosted this event before, so they were excited to welcome us back and were very accommodating,” Wian said. “It's been a very smooth transition from that perspective.”

However, there were some challenges in marketing the new location. “From the marketing perspective, we've had to work a little harder because Beaver Stadium does have its own natural appeal,” Wian added. “But I can't say that there's been any issues in the transition. It's been great. The Hyatt folks have been amazing in welcoming us and opening their doors and giving us free rein and doing whatever they can to help.”

A total of 22 participants met the minimum fundraising goal of $1,000 to take part in the event. On a hot morning, they descended from the roof of the high-rise down 12 stories to Miller Alley, where supporters, volunteers, a radio broadcast from 3WZ, and the Sunset Slush Italian ice truck were waiting.

Some participants made their way down quickly, while others paused to enjoy the view. The hotel, being the tallest building in State College Borough, offered a different experience compared to the Beaver Stadium event. “Beaver Stadium is an iconic building and it's an awesome rappel,” Wian said. “However, it's more free rappelling where you don't have that building to support you because of the setup of the stadium. Here, I'm excited to kind of feel like Spider-Man almost and be able to have your feet crawling the whole way down.”

In addition to professional assistance from Over the Edge, more than two dozen volunteers helped with various aspects of the event. These volunteers included those trained to manage the ropes on the roof and at street level. Their efforts were crucial to the success of the event.

“It takes a lot of folks to put this on,” Wian said. “We have about 25 to 30 volunteers actually helping, and some of them are giving up big chunks of their day. [Rope volunteers] require a pretty lengthy training the day before, and then they're here all day for the event. So we're super grateful to have the support of volunteers to help make this happen, because without them, it wouldn't be possible.”

The event also included a tribute to George Etzweiler, a State College resident known for his long-distance running into his 100s. He participated in the Beaver Stadium rappelling event for the last two years before passing away in March at the age of 105. Participants wore stickers on their helmets that read, “Live Brave Like George. G.A.E 1920-2025.”

Event emcee and CCUW board member Angela Steco praised Etzweiler’s legacy. “George reminded us all what courage truly looks like,” she said. “His legacy lives on in every step down the wall and every dollar raised for Centre County.”

The funds raised through the event will support CCUW’s partner agencies, which assist local residents facing financial hardship. “One in every four folks in Centre County actually relies on the services of a United Way Partner Agency,” Wian said. “This funding will go to support our 22 agencies in providing programs for health, financial stability, and education, which we think are the building blocks to a happy, healthy life.”