Community members will rappel off the side of Stadium Park Plaza on Friday and Saturday for their contributions to the Barren River Area Child Advocacy Center’s (BRACAC) fundraiser.
The event is the center’s seventh annual fundraiser, partnering with Over the Edge Global, a business that hosts and manages rappelling events. Sponsors who raised over $1,000 for the nonprofit are eligible to rappel. Only 92 rappelling spots are available.
BRACAC provides free-of-charge intervention for children when sexual abuse is disclosed or suspected. The center provides forensic interviews, medical exams, mental health treatment, and victim advocacy services. The nonprofit served over 900 children in 2024, according to a press release.
“Rappelling is sort of symbolic of the fact that if our kids can do hard things, that we can too,” Leah Thompson, the executive director of BRACAC, said. “It’s just a unique type of fundraiser that allows us to honor that courage and bravery that kids display when they are disclosing abuse.”
Thompson plans and participates in the fundraiser.
The BRACAC set their fundraising goal at $125,000. The final total of collections will be announced after the event, Thompson said. $92,200 has been donated as of Wednesday, according to the event website.
Thompson said that one participant with Warren County Public Schools has raised $7,000 on his own fundraising website.
Participants may register as individuals or teams of up to eight people. Companies may register for the “Toss the Boss” challenge to make their superiors rappel.
BRACAC categorizes its sponsors by the amount of money raised. Participants who raise larger sums are dubbed VIPs and enjoy special opportunities on Friday.
A VIP luncheon at 11:30 a.m. will host a guest speaker to explain BRACAC’s mission and operations. The center will also host a VIP tailgate event Friday evening with music, food and an opportunity to rappel before other participants.
Saturday check-in will begin at 7:45 a.m. before opening remarks from BRACAC officials at 8 a.m. Veterans will be the first group of rappellers following the Greenwood High School choir’s performance of the national anthem.
