REGINA — The Saskatchewan Drop-Zone is returning to Regina this summer.
The event organized by SaskAbilities sees participants scale down Hill Tower Centre Il to raise money for a good cause.
Donna Mouflier, community relations co-ordinator with SaskAbilities, said every person who participates is considered a superhero.
“We know what kind of a thrill this is for them, but we also know that always in the back of their mind that ‘here I am, I’m gonna be rappelling off of a 21-story building.’”
Mouflier recalled one trainee becoming visibly emotional while attempting to descend during the exercise.
“She came to the bottom, she had a huge smile on her face, and she went running back up, and she did it a couple more times. And so it’s just that initial fear of taking that first step that always seems to be the most difficult for the individual.”
Last year’s event saw between 40 and 45 participants raise nearly $100,000.
Since its inception, over $2 million has been raised for Easter Seals™ Saskatchewan, the only barrier-free camp in the province.
“There’re various things that they can do for a day, and it’s just an outing, and it just gives them some additional different experiences,” said Mouflier on the camps.
Those experiences include summer fun, a day-trip program or adaptive technology, which enhances the lives of people with disabilities.
Each year, Mouflier says 600 people participate in the camp.
“The cost to send one individual to camp is $2,500 for a week. So it gives you an idea of how important it is for these events and for these funds to be generated.”
Mouflier said a few people have already inquired about participating in this year’s drop zone.
The event will allow upwards of 70 participants to scale the wall.
More information can be found here
