Evansville prepares to step 'over the edge' for kids battling illnesses

Yahoo

26-04-2025

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT) — A leap of faith down the side of a downtown Evansville building aims to bring hope to children with life threatening conditions: Over the Edge for Granted. Since 1985, the organization has raised money to help families with medical expenses and more. The Over The Edge event gets community sponsors involved, as well as a fun day for the kids. Eyewitness News' Sydney Davis went over the edge before the official event kicks off April 26.Most days don't typically start from nine stories in the air. Through an organization called Granted, every step away from the edge of Evansville's CenterPoint building helps send joy, comfort and unforgettable moments to children battling life threatening illnesses.
'Individuals can face fears and overcome obstacles like our children do every day. Our children are battling cancer…fighting illnesses that a lot of us will never have to deal with. Our families are some of the strongest people you'll ever meet,' says Caitie Taylor, Granted's board president.
This year marks 4 decades for the organization, and nearly 400 Tri-State families benefit from the program.
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Over $180,000 has been raised by the community to make kids wildest dreams come true. Each wish granted is as unique as the little faces fighting each day.
'They go to Disney. They go on a camping trip,' says Taylor.
Community members who signs up commit to raising $1,000 each to make it happen.Eyewitness News got to experience the descent, but On Saturday, each participant will be trained and supported every step, or drop, of the way by their Over The Edge experts.
'Unlike recreational climbing, we use a full body harness. They have the waist belt loops. It also has the shoulder straps. From there, we have two devices. We have a backup device and a main device,' says Randy Stocker, a professional rope access technician for the event.
The main device drives the repelling, while the backup helps monitor your speed.
There is no age limit, and the equipment can hold up to 5000 pounds.
'The youngest person that I've personally put over was 6-years-old and our oldest person that over the edge put over was 103-years-old,' says Stocker.
Officials say the left over funding is used to help with life beyond the wish.
'…help with transportation, gas, cards, foods while they're on the road. We have family dinners throughout the year to bring our wishlist together…Just to have the children be able to interact with the rest of the children,' says Taylor.
Teams and individuals can still sign up through email or in-person with a $1,000 contribution.
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