NOTE TO READERS: Easter Seals issued the following statement at 11:18 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16: " Due to an unfortunate weather forecast the Easter Seals Drop Zone event is postponed to Saturday September 18th from 9am - 2pm. All other details remain the same."
Two local junior high principals are set to take the jump in support of local programs for people with physical disabilities.
Karen Dale, principal of Eric Graves, is taking part in the first ever Easter Seals zip zone on Oct. 2, which will involve climbing the Macdonald bridge’s Dartmouth tower (337.69 feet above the water) and rappelling down to the pedestrian sidewalk on the bridge deck.
George Gray, principal of Ellenvale, will be rappelling 1801 Hollis St., one of Halifax’s tallest buildings at 23 storeys on Sept. 17. The annual event, Easter Seals drop zone, began in Halifax in 2004.
Last year’s drop zone participants raised over $120, 000 toward Easter Seals Nova Scotia’s community-based programs.
Between their families, friends, staff and students, Gray and Dale are planning to raise over $3,000.
Easter Seals guarantees 100 per cent of the funds raised stay in Nova Scotia to support children, youth and adults with physical disabilities.
“I’m a believer in kids giving back to community,” said Dale. “We did some of that last year. My Grade 9s went out and did a litter clean up, and a food drive and volunteered at the elementary schools. This year I’d like to encourage all the kids to spend a day volunteering, and this is how I’d like to kick it off.”
Dale rappelled down 1801 Hollis three years ago, and has bungee jumped, as well as parachuted before, but says this is still a terrifying feat.
“They call us Superheroes,” she said with a laugh. “At 1801 Hollis you have to crawl out on this thing and hold on, and it’s just scary. I expect something along the same lines this year.”
Donations are accepted at Eric Graves Junior High. Receipts will be issued for all donations over $15. To donate online, go to: www.easterseals.ns.ca.
lmckay@hfxnews.ca
