UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This year’s Over the Edge challenge at Beaver Stadium provides everyone in Happy Valley an opportunity on Oct. 8 to pursue a rare bucket-list goal while helping Centre County neighbors in need. Penn State students have a special opportunity to participate with a lower threshold to meet the challenge.
“I’m issuing a challenge to Penn Staters, friends, neighbors and corporate teams to join us in going Over the Edge at Beaver Stadium this fall,” said Faye A. Chadwell, chair of Penn State's 2024 United Way campaign and dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications. “Supporting the Centre County United Way through this combined fundraising and personal-goal rappelling challenge is a win-win opportunity that will benefit our neighbors in need.”
Individual and team “edgers” must meet a $1,500 threshold to don their rappelling gear. However, Penn State students are being offered a special registration rate of $1,000.
The Centre County United Way recently added another incentive: Two pairs of tickets to the Penn State vs. UCLA football home game on Oct. 5 will be provided to the top two fundraisers. Plus, anyone who joins the challenge and mentions the name of a friend already signed up to be an “edger” will have $100 credited to their own new fundraising effort to help meet their registration goal.
Funds raised during the event will support the annual Penn State United Way Campaign, which contributes more than 40% of all dollars raised annually for the Centre County United Way. Every year, one in three Centre County residents access the resources and services funded through the United Way and over 53,000 county residents can live fuller, richer, more stable lives because of the University’s support for the Centre County United Way.
“This event is one of the largest and most impactful fundraising efforts that the Penn State United Way committee holds for the Centre County United Way,” Chadwell said. “Individuals and organizations who may have a fear of heights can still participate through financial and moral support by donating to a fundraiser and cheering on participants, including those who are still seeking to reach their participation threshold.”
Two of this year’s “edgers” as listed on the event’s Leaderboards tab — return-edger Chadwell and first-time edger Director of Adult Learner Programs and Services Leslie Laing — have shared their motivations for participating via video. Individual video testimonials on YouTube from Chadwell and Laing note their reasons for going "Over the Edge," including local service organizations important to them that benefit from Centre County United Way’s support.
To rise to the challenge and help Penn State United Way go over the edge of its own fundraising goal, visit the Go Over the Edge for Centre County United Way website. Corporate sponsorship opportunities for the event also remain available.
Students joining the Over the Edge challenge should select both the default registration fee and the student registration option. Centre County United Way will contact new student “edgers” who have completed their registration to adjust their fundraising goals. Questions about Over The Edge at Beaver Stadium may be directed to the Centre County United Way by calling 814-238-8283.