Care-Dallas Fundraiser Offers Dallas a Chance to Rappel Down Plaza of the Americas

Made up of two 25-story office buildings over a 1.2 million square foot area, the Plaza of the Americas stands as a true behemoth in the heart of downtown Dallas. This spring, its size will be used for spectacle, as swaths of people plan to rappel down the building to raise money for charity. The CARE-Dallas event is being hosted by Plaza of the Americas in partnership Canada-based rappelling company Over The Edge. The Corrigan-Goddard Foundation is the presenting sponsor.

CARE-Dallas is a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting education and awareness about alcohol and substance abuse. Through a series of educational programs, collaborative events and volunteer opportunities, the organization has impacted the lives of Dallas youths for over 40 years.

Over The Edge was founded in 2004 to transform urban landmarks into catalysts for adventure. It began in Nova Scotia, Canada, as an idea between founder Paul Griffith and his friends to raise money for three local charities. With its first event, the group raised $70,000 by rappelling from the tallest buildings in downtown Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia. In 2008, Over The Edge began hosting events in the U.S., with each event coming about to raise money for a local cause.

“Working in the nonprofit field for three years, it seems to me like the drive of adventure, excitement, fun, that endorphin rush feeling is what’s driving a lot of the underage drinking and drug use,” says Peter Pursley, strategic director at CARE-Dallas

Set for Saturday, April 26, Over The Edge is collaborating with CARE-Dallas to create a visual spectacle and an elaborate metaphor through the event.

“In my opinion, they’re missing that element of fun and excitement,” he says. “This seemed like a way that we could get the messaging across to a whole new audience, but do it in a way that’s just new and different than a bake sale.”

By signing up for a donation-based fundraiser for CARE-Dallas, participants can earn a chance to rappel down the building by reaching a $500 fundraising goal. For $600, the participant will be provided a GoPro to document their experience. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., complete with a party on the ground with food trucks, vendors, photo-ops and music.

“Underage drinking and binge drinking is normalized,” says Daphne Holmes, executive director of CARE-Dallas. “Now they introduced fentanyl; there needs to be education around it, and I just see that as CARE’s responsibility. We’re funded by donors; we have a responsibility to the community to shout some of this from the mountaintop.”

Dallas doesn’t have mountains, but a climb down from a 25-story building might be the next best thing. You can sign up through CARE-Dallas’ official website, or plan to attend for free to watch it unfold.

“This is a fundraiser and an awareness raiser,” Pursley says. “It’s also a living embodiment of our message. We want to show people that there are alternatives to drinking and drug use.”

Over the Edge takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at Plaza of the Americas, 600 N. Pearl St.