A 38 Story Drop, all for Special Olympics

Some people get inspired to lose weight, open a business, or get a degree. Not too many people get inspired to rappel down a 38-story building but after attending a Special Olympics program offered free to the young competitors, Donny Everhart of Dixon thought it would be a good idea.

Everhart, who sells insurance and offers investment services through his business Dixon Financial and Insurance Services, attended the event just because his Godson was singing at an opening performance on the UC Davis campus. Then, he stayed to watch the Olympics.

He was moved — and when they announced there were only eight spaces left for another fundraiser involving rappelling a building, he signed up.

"It was rewarding to be a part of Special Olympics that day but it is even more exciting when you actually do something," said Everhart.

The Over the Edge program required a donation of $1,000 from each entrant before rappelling down the Grand Hyatt in San Francisco — all 38 stories of it. Over the Edge is a special events company providing signature events for non-profit organizations anywhere in North America.

Everheart began soliciting everyone he knew for money and as usual, Dixon businesses, clubs, and individuals came through. There was his friend back in Ohio, his buddies in Dixon Rotary and at . There were also his business office neighbors, and Dane Besneatte along with supporters from his Dixon Networking Group like Auto and Exhaust Pros, Lorente Productions and Tully Engineering.

Everhart raised $1,000 and made the trip to San Francisco from his Dixon home in late July to rappel down the building. In all, Everhart and about 75 of his fellow participants raised $100,000 for the cause. It took Everhart about 30 minutes to rappel down all the floors and he says he was not afraid.

"What scares me is riding on an airplane," Everhart said. "You never know if the pilot took drugs or got sauced-up the night before, or even had a good night's sleep. When my fate is in the hands of many other people, that's what scares me."

Everhart did not have any special preparations other than some on-the-spot training. The experts took the volunteer up to their departing floor, strapped a camera on his head, and made him empty out his pockets before he descended.

"It's really safe," he said. "But, half way down, it got very, very windy."

Everhart said that although he isn't heavy or tall, he is strong and that it took all his strength from being blown around the building.

"That was the only thing that made me nervous," he said.

Everhart said he'd do it again although the non-profit organization is offering a more modest feat next time, The Polar Plunge in February. According to the Special Olympics of Northern California, hundreds of brave souls with warm hearts will take a watery plunge in freezing cold weather at one of six different locations.

"There is always so much participation in these kinds of fundraiser because people know they are doing this for a common goal," said Wendy Bojin, director of Volunteer Services of Special Olympics of Northern California. "You're doing something good, and it's fun."

The Special Olympics group provides free sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. For more information, go to sonc.org or call (925) 944-8801. To sponsor Everhart in the future, contact him at Dixon Financial and Insurance Services, 100 North Adams, Dixon or call (707) 673-7599.