REGINA — For some, it will be a terrifying first step. For others, it has become an annual tradition. But for everyone who goes over the edge, the destination is about much more than the ground below.
The Easter Seals Drop Zone returns to downtown Regina this Saturday, challenging participants to rappel 21 storeys, roughly 260 feet, down the side of Hill Centre Tower II at 1881 Scarth St.
And every metre of that descent helps support those experiencing disability across Saskatchewan.
Organized by SaskAbilities and presented by Sun Life and Harvard Developments, the high-adrenaline fundraiser turns everyday people into superheroes for the day, with many participants even dressing in costume for their descent.
SaskAbilities Community Relations Co-ordinator Donna Mouflier says the event is about facing fears while making a meaningful difference.
“The Easter Seals™ Saskatchewan Drop Zone is an adrenaline-pumping fundraising adventure that encourages you to get out of your comfort zone and basically face your fears by rappelling from one of Saskatchewan's highest buildings.”
But participants are not simply climbing down a super-high tower.
Each person must raise at least $1,000 to take part, with the money supporting SaskAbilities programs that help people experiencing disability live more independently and take part in their communities.
One of the programs closest to Mouflier's heart is Camp Easter Seal, which is Saskatchewan’s only barrier-free camp.
“It’s the only fully accessible camp in Saskatchewan,” she said. “On average, it costs us $2,500 to send one camper to camp for a week.”
The fundraising helps make it possible for as many as 600 campers to attend each year.
The money also supports Adaptive Technology Services, which provides personalized technology and mobility solutions, along with Summer Fun programs that give children and youth opportunities to participate in recreation and community activities.
Those services can mean something as simple, yet profound, as helping someone communicate, play a game, get around independently or experience an activity that might otherwise be out of reach.
And that is why people with very different reasons for stepping onto the roof are coming together Saturday.
For Eric Sweeney of Canora, Sask., the Drop Zone sounded like the perfect combination of adventure and purpose.
“It’s a win-win,” Sweeney said. “I raise funds for a worthwhile cause and I have a fun time.”
He will be making the descent alongside his daughter, Erika, who has never rappelled from a skyscraper before and admits she has a fear of heights.
Eric said part of the experience is watching his daughter push herself.
“I like to see her grow because she is afraid of heights,” he said.
Erika says the cause is what ultimately convinced her to take the plunge.
“I myself am not personally affected by disability,” she said, “but I have many people in my life who are, and I understand how important it can be to have these accessible spaces for people.”
For her, helping keep those spaces available made the fear worth facing.
“I feel that it’s a really good thing to take part in, helping to fundraise to keep these spaces running.”
She is also very aware of what awaits her.
“I actually have a fear of heights, so it’s going to be an interesting experience,” Erika said. “But, you know, it’ll be fine.”
For Bobbie Sevenster, the nerves have never been enough to keep her away.
This will be her sixth Drop Zone rappel.
She is also approaching her 60th birthday.
“Camp Easter Seal, as a fully accessible camp, is such a worthwhile cause and it’s something I will continue to support as long as I am able to,” Sevenster said.
She remembers looking down from the top of Hill Centre Tower II and taking in the view.
“The view from the top of Hill Tower 2 is quite incredible. You can see for miles.”
Then comes the realization of just how high up she is.
“It’s actually quite breathtaking,” she said, “but then again, that could just be nerves.”
Sevenster has discovered that fundraising can be almost as rewarding as the rappel itself. This year, she collected SARCAN recyclables using a separate account she set up through Drop & Go, allowing her to build much of her fundraising total before registration even opened.
She also points to burger nights and support from local businesses as other ways participants can reach their goals.
And after completing five rappels, she has one thing to say to anyone considering joining her.
“I’d encourage everyone to go over the edge at least once.”
For first-time participants, however, nobody is expected to simply walk onto a roof and immediately step into empty space.
Mouflier says participants arrive about an hour before their scheduled descent and have time to get comfortable with the environment.
They also complete a practice rappel before heading to the roof.
“We do ask each participant to rappel off the Tacten truck prior to going up on the roof,” she said. “Again, that’s just for them to become familiar with the harness equipment.”
Once participants reach the top, the experience becomes part fundraiser, part spectacle.
A DJ plays each participant's chosen song while an emcee reads their biography. The superhero theme runs throughout the day, with water tattoos for children, entertainment and Daniel from Liverpool Magic will be performing for the crowd.
And then comes the moment everyone has been waiting for.
“When they start to rappel, we have a DJ that will be playing their song choice and we also have an emcee that will be reading their bio,” Mouflier said.
She expects the atmosphere at street level to be just as memorable as the view from the roof.
“The energy is going to be incredible.”
This year's event is expected to bring dozens of rappellers to the tower. The Regina Drop Zone has historically attracted roughly 40 to 60 participants each year and has raised more than $2 million since the event began in 2007, aside from the two-year COVID-19 interruption.
Among those taking part this year will be someone from the SaskToday news team.
I’ll be rappelling from Hill Centre Tower II at 9:30 a.m. Saturday alongside Harvard Media front-desk attendant Rahma Mohammed, with the two of us representing Harvard Media and SaskToday.
Neither of us has ever done anything like this before.
So while the excitement is real, so is the fear.
And perhaps that is exactly what the Drop Zone is all about.
Mouflier says the event is ultimately bigger than the rappel itself.
“Drop Zone is really more than just a rappel,” she said. “It’s a celebration of our superheroes, the community that supports them and the impact those fundraising dollars have.”
For people watching from the street, admission is free, and spectators can cheer on participants throughout the day. Local entertainment, including close-up magic, will add to the atmosphere.
For those who cannot make it downtown, the event will also be livestreamed through the Easter Seals Saskatchewan and SaskAbilities Regina Branch Facebook pages.
There are still opportunities to become a participant, with Mouflier emphasizing that raising the $1,000 minimum is achievable.
“We do have openings if anybody is interested in taking on the challenge,” she said.
And for those who would rather keep both feet firmly on the ground, there are still plenty of ways to help, including donating to individual rappellers or purchasing tickets for the Drop Zone Endless Possibilities Raffle.
Because ultimately, the most important part of Saturday will not be how high someone climbs or how quickly they make it down.
It will be what happens because they were willing to climb in the first place.
As Sevenster puts it, Camp Easter Seal gives families something extraordinary to look forward to every year.
“I think of how much the campers must look forward to it each year and what a privilege it is to be able to help get them there, even in this small way.”
And that may be the real reason to take the leap.
One terrifying step over a ledge can become someone else's opportunity to live a life without barriers.
