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| Beloit woman to rappel off building to raise money for Special Olympics |
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| Written by Dennis HInes/Stateline News |
| Wednesday, 14 September 2011 14:39 |
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BELOIT — Shannon Ladwig of Beloit is going “over the edge” for a good cause. Ladwig is participating in the 2011 Over the Edge Madison event Oct. 14, in which she and other participants will rappel off of the 10-story Tenney Building in Madison. The event is a fundraiser for Special Olympics Wisconsin. (Read the story in the e-edition HERE.)  “I’m a little nervous, but a little excited,” Ladwig said. “It seems kind of strange that you get an awesome experience to rappel, and yet it’s all for a fundraiser, but I’m excited. I’m looking forward to it. I think it will be a lot of fun and a great experience. I think this concept is an awesome way to raise money for Special Olympics.”Ladwig said this will be the first time she has rappelled off a building, but there will be instructors available to assist the participants. “The closest I have ever done is ziplining. With that, you’re going forward, and you’re not looking over the edge of a 10-story building, but I’ve never rappelled,” Ladwig said. “They say you need no experience. They teach you what you need to know and do a few practice runs on a smaller scale. Who knows, maybe I will enjoy it.” Participants are required to raise at least $1,500. Ladwig already has raised that amount but plans to collect money until the day of the event. Residents may donate by going to the website www.bit.ly/ohm2kv. Ladwig said she has received donations from friends, family members, coworkers and local businesses. “I’ve just been reaching out to my coworkers and my family and my friends. I’m the treasurer of the Beloit Izaak Walton League. So, of course, I’ve reached out to all the people there, and they support me and back me,” Ladwig said. “I got to say, the support has been overwhelming. Everyone has been very generous and very supportive. It’s very overwhelming when times are tough and people are still there for a good cause.” This is the second year Special Olympics Wisconsins has hosted the Over the Edge program. John Weichelt, regional director of development, said the program received a positive response last year. “We had a good response last year,” Weichelt said. “We had about 40 people participate. We have about 96 spots open, so we’re hoping to fill as many spots as possible. Weichelt said similar events have been succussful in other areas, which inspired the Over the Edge events in Wisconsin. Ladwig has participated in other fundraisers for Special Olympics, including a torch run. She said she learned about the Over the Edge event from her coworkers. “I had always helped raise money before for Special Olympics,” Ladwig said. “So I thought this was a little different and something I could help out with.” Ladwig said she hopes to participate in the Over the Edge event again in the future. “I’m really hoping that I enjoy it, and that it will be a yearly thing for me,” Ladwig said. “But I think it’s all going to depend on how I like to rappel, but I’ve been told that I’m going to love it and enjoy it.” Residents may register by going to the website SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org or by calling (608) 221-2900.
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