Utahns rappelling for refugees

SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns can now help raise money for refugees “the Utah Way” by repelling down an 18-story building in downtown Salt Lake City. 

Over 1,000 refugees arrive in Utah every year and often time have nothing with them.

Lifting Hands International has a mission to provide refugee families around the world with basic necessities. Now they are raising money “the Utah way”.

“The Utah way” [is] to be adventurous outdoors and so the idea of repelling seems like the perfect combination of the two,” said LHI Development Director, Jessica Arch.

Raising money while having fun

Participants who raise money will reserve a spot to rappel down the 162-foot-tall Hilton Salt Lake City Center building.

The money raised by one rappeller will provide for the necessities of one family. Lifting Hands partnered with adventure experience company Over the Edge to help provide a safe and thrilling experience. Over the Edge said it has a 100% safety rate.

For those on the ground, there is still plenty to do.

“There’ll be a street fair going on, the hotel is putting on a BBQ. So, it’ll just be a place to come and hang out and cheer and support our repellers or you can go over the edge and rappel yourself, ” said Arch.

Participants can reserve a spot to rappel by donating $1oo and will need to reach a $600 fundraising goal with the help of friends, family, and Lifting Hands.

“Basically, by rappelling, you’ll provide one newly arrived refugee family with all the basic living necessities like beds and towels and sheets,” said Arch.

The event will take place on Saturday, June 15. 

Donations to reserve a rappel slot can be made on Over the Edge’s website.

Related: 

• Help needed for Valentine’s Day school kits for refugees 
• Afghan refugees in Utah struggle to keep legal status two years after military withdrawal
• ‘Stranger Becomes Neighbor’: Separated from parents, Afghan refugees land in Utah in the dark