FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
What is Over the Edge with Friends?
Over the Edge is a signature fundraising event that sends participants rappelling down the side of Regions Plaza in Jackson, Mississippi. Not only is it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but also raises money for a great cause – Friends of Children’s Hospital.
When is the event?
Thursday, May 2, 2024
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where is the event?
Hertz Jackson One – Regions Plaza
220 E. Amite Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Downtown Jackson, Mississippi
How do I sign up?
The event is limited to 76 rappel spots. To go Over the Edge, individual participants must raise a minimum of $1,000. The majority of fundraising is managed online through our donation portal. To sign up, click "Register" on the homepage of this website. Once you enter all of your information, you will receive a confirmation email that reserves your rappelling spot.
Is there a reservation fee?
Yes, all participants must pay a $25 nonrefundable reservation fee to begin the fundraising process. This reservation fee counts toward your $1,000 fundraising goal.
Who can go Over the Edge?
Anyone who has met their $1,000 fundraising goal and weighs between 100 and 300 pounds is eligible to participate. For those under the age of 18, a legal guardian must sign a waiver and remain at the event during the rappel (at ground level). We can accommodate many special needs. However, we will need to know the details of the needs to properly prepare. Please contact us at friends@friendsofch.org to plan your special needs rappel.
Who should I contact for more information?
Please email questions to friends@friendsofch.org. Please include your name, phone number and email address.
EDGER INFORMATION
What should an Edger wear?
Sneakers, light hikers, climbing shoes or footwear with a soft, light-colored sole are recommended. No slippers, sandals, slip-on shoes, high heels, or steel-toe boots are allowed. Wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt. Athletic pants, tights and jeans are suitable. The harness goes around your legs, waist and shoulders, so it is best to avoid anything too bulky. Long hair must be tied back. Glasses will need to be secured with an eyewear retainer to keep them from falling. You will be given a pair of gloves and a helmet to wear while you rappel.
Are costumes allowed?
Many people choose to wear costumes for their rappel. All costumes will need to meet the same standards as listed above. Over the Edge with Friends reserves the right to approve or reject any costumes that do not meet the safety standards. If you have any questions about your costume, please email pictures of your costume prior to the event to friends@friendsofch.org.
Can I bring my camera and phone?
For everyone’s safety, we do not want any objects dropped over the side of the building. Therefore, you are not allowed to bring your phones or cameras to the roof. Family and friends are encouraged to take pictures from the landing zone area. Edgers may bring their own Go Pro cameras and headmounts to be mounted on the helmets. Go Pros or head mounts will not be made available by Over the Edge.
Can friends and family watch me as I go Over the Edge?
Supporters are encouraged to attend the event and watch you rappel down the building from the Landing Zone. Unfortunately, friends and family will not be allowed on the rooftop, since only those with safety harnesses and anchors will be admitted.
Do I need any experience?
No prior rappelling or climbing experience is necessary. When you arrive on site, you will be given instructions on how to use the equipment.
What will training be like for Edgers?
Each Edger will be given a specific time for their arrival and rappel. When an Edger arrives on site, they will be given training and will practice rappelling a shorter distance to experience hanging in the harness and using the descender. Proper rappelling position, where to keep your feet and hands, and use of the radios that participants wear will be discussed during their training session.
What can I do to practice?
Although no practice or prior climbing experience is required, rock climbing at a local climbing gym will strengthen your forearms and allow you to hang in a harness. Although the harnesses we use are different, you will still get an idea of what muscles it takes to stay upright. The most common complaint from participants after rappelling is that their forearms got sore during the descent. Proper techniques like switching arms will make a lot of difference.
How long does the event take?
Registering, training and rappelling will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete. The actual rappel will last approximately 15-20 minutes depending on the individual participant.
What if there’s inclement weather?
Typically, an Over the Edge event can continue to operate in rain. A weather-related delay will be initiated when heavy rain causes people to lose their vision, if lightning is observed nearby, or if heavy winds increase the risk of injury to participants.
FUNDRAISING
What happens if I do not raise at least $1,000?
If the minimum fundraising goal of $1,000 is not reached by May 2, 2024, you may provide a credit card to cover the balance to secure your spot to go Over the Edge. All funds raised are tax deductible donations benefitting Friends of Children’s Hospital and are nonrefundable if the minimum fundraising goal is not met.
How do I raise enough money to go Over the Edge?
You can collect online credit/debit card donations by sending your friends and family a link to your personal fundraising page after reserving your spot to go Over the Edge.
What if someone wants to write a check or donate cash?
Checks should be made payable to Friends of Children’s Hospital with Over the Edge and your name written in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Friends of Children’s Hospital, 3900 Lakeland Drive, Suite 205, Flowood, MS 39232. Please do not mail cash. If you receive a cash donation, please use a cashier’s check to submit those funds. Please keep in mind these donations will take longer to process and be reflected on your personal fundraising page.
How do I add offline donations to my online fundraising goal?
Friends of Children’s Hospital will add any donations they receive in your name to your online fundraising page. Please make sure that your information is included when sending your donations to Friends of Children’s Hospital. Please keep in mind these donations take longer to process. Be sure to get them in early, so they are included in your fundraising goal.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes, all donations are tax deductible. Each donor will receive a receipt for their donation.
VOLUNTEERS
What is the age limit to volunteer?
The minimum age limit is 15 years old to volunteer. If you are under the age of 15, please email friends@friendsofch.org to find out if there is an opportunity for you to volunteer.
How do I sign up and what is the standard time commitment for volunteers?
Volunteer shifts range from 3-5 hours depending on the volunteer position you sign up for. Please click on the volunteer link located at the top of the event homepage (link will post closer to the event date) or email friends@friendsofch.org to find out what shifts are available.
What should I wear?
All volunteers will be given an Over the Edge with Friends Volunteer T-shirt to wear during the event. Volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes during their shifts.
WEATHER POLICY
Lightning
A weather-related delay must be initiated until the lightning strikes are a safe distance away. Lightning can strike horizontally up to forty (40) miles. If lightning strikes within forty (40) miles and nothing separates an event and the lightning (i.e. taller buildings), then it is not safe to be out on the rooftop. If surrounded by taller buildings, the safe distance for lightning strike can be shortened. Regardless of surrounding buildings, remain indoors if lightning is observed within twenty (20) miles. If thunder can be heard, remain indoors. It can be considered safe to restart the event ten (10) minutes after the last observed strike or sound of thunder.
Heavy Rain
Typically, an event can continue to operate in rain. When rain is so heavy people lose vision or some other unsafe condition exists due to rain, a weather-related delay must be initiated until rain eases enough to continue.
Wind
Wind can cause participants to lose their ability to continue down the rope or they may be blown away from the building. Wind can cause entanglement of ropes and can increase the risk of injury to participants. A general guideline for wind speed is a sustained wind of approximately twenty-five (25) miles per hour (MPH). However, gusty wind can be a problem in a less sustained wind speed. Wind direction and building location can also affect how wind affects an event. A building can sometimes block the wind all together or direct the wind at the rappel face. OTE technicians are to use handheld anemometer wind gauges at the rappel site to help determine safe wind speeds for an event. The SSS shall initiate a weather-related delay if any of the following conditions exist: a sustained wind at the rappel face of twenty-five (25) MPH or higher, gusts lasting twenty (20) seconds of twenty-five (25) MPH, gusts lasting less than twenty (20) seconds of higher than thirty (35) MPH or a lower wind in a direction that causes persons to place themselves at likely risk of injury.
Heat
Heat can be very dangerous to people working outdoors. When temperatures rise, a rooftop can quickly exceed the heat index. Rope volunteers, photographers, TM and the SSS can be exposed to extreme heat on hot days. Monitor people closely and ensure people drink lots of water. Give people lots of breaks and allow people to spend some time indoors during the hottest parts of the day. In the event of OTE personnel showing signs of a heat related illness and no one is available to relieve that person, a weather-related delay shall be initiated for a time to allow that person to recuperate in the conditioned air indoors.
For additional questions, please contact friends@friendsofch.org.