Local celebs, others rappel for Beatitude House

By William K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Over The Edge

Gallery

The first step was the hardest.

The first six people who rappelled two-by-two down the north face of the 18-story Metropolitan Tower building Friday to raise money for the Beatitude House agreed: The backward step off the edge of a platform on top of the building got their attention.

But to those people, once safely on the sidewalk, they said it was exciting.

The six, all first-time rappellers except for Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel, are among 86 people who signed up to take the 195-foot plunge Friday and today.

The event, called Over the Edge, aims to raise more than $125,000 for Beatitude House.

One of Friday’s rappellers was Pam Volosin of Poland, who raised more than $6,000, the most for any non-sponsor individual. Individuals had to raise at least $1,000 to get a rappelling spot.

The first people over the edge were Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally and Warren Mayor Doug Franklin.

The mayors were followed by Tressel, who said he rappelled down the YSU stadium with the ROTC about 25 years ago, and was paired with Volosin; and Sister Janet Gardner, executive director of Beatitude House, and Kaitlyn Cobbs of Austintown, who was a Beatitude House client.

“It seemed like a good idea when they asked me to do this. Now, I question my judgment,” said McNally. Upon completing the rappel, he described it as nerve-wracking and exciting.

Franklin gave a sigh of relief when he landed, but said it was a “great ride for a great cause.”

The mayor said he plans to show the video to his grandson, Arshad, 3, whose favorite character is Spiderman.

Franklin said he “felt like Spiderman coming down,” but also said he “wouldn’t be doing it again anytime soon.”

Cobbs, 19, of Austintown, who was encouraged by her mother, Heather Olsen of Youngstown, was admittedly a little scared before the event, had one of the smoothest descents. She said after that it was “pretty fun ... but it feels good to be on the ground.”

Olsen and her daughter went to Beatitude House in April 1977 and left in August 2000.

During that time, Olsen completed a bachelor’s degree in history and started on her master’s degree, which she completed in 2003.

“Having Kaitlyn and living at Beatitude House saved my life,” she said.

“I’m feeling good I’m down here. It was fun and for a good cause. It’s incredible what Beatitude House does,” said Tressel after completing his rappel.

“I had a wonderful time. It was a little scary at first, but I like adventure and its for a good cause,” said Volosin.

Asked how she raised more than $6,000 for Beatitude House, she said there are a lot of nice, generous people in the community.

Sister Gardner, who said she was “surprisingly calm” before her rappel, called it “great fun” after she landed safely.

“Our women take risks every day to face the unknown and change their lives. If they can do that, the least we can do is step off the top of an 18-story building to help them. We have 75 families that need the support of the community to help transform their lives,” she said.

Beatitude House is celebrating its 25th year of serving homeless and disadvantaged women and children in Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties.

Today, public rappels are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Federal Street between Market and Phelps streets is closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration and general information is available at www.overtheedgeytown.com.

Among today’s rappellers are Jess Briganti of 21 WFMJ-TV at 9:25 a.m.; state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, 11:25 a.m.; Troy Loney, retired Pittsburgh Penguin/Phantom co-owner and Joe Charboneau, retired Cleveland Indian 1980 Rookie of Year, 2:25 p.m.; and Ursuline and Mooney high-school students, 2:35 p.m.

Also, the Phantoms will give away a free ticket for their home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday for every $10 donation Beatitude House received at the event.

Major event sponsors include John and Denise DeBartolo York, NYO Property Group, Home Savings, Covelli Enterprises, LinqMy Team, and Profectus Creative. A full list of sponsors is on the event website.