Radio DJs join people rappelling down 5-story hotel in St. George to support Habitat for Humanity

ST. GEORGE — Peter Gunn’s first time rappelling wasn’t on the side of a mountain or off a cliff — it was down the side of a five-story hotel in St. George.

Peter Gunn, a radio personality on 95.9 The Hawk, rappels off the side of the Hyatt Place hotel in St. George, Utah, Sept. 14, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News

Gunn, a radio personality on 95.9 The Hawk, joined 30 others who rappelled down the side of the Hyatt Place hotel in St. George Friday as part of a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah. Every participant was required to raise $1,000 to participate in the event organized by Over the Edge, a nonprofit group that organizes similar fundraising events around the country.

Participants were hooked into ropes and descended the 50 feet straight down the side of the building. Some were fearless, and others needed some convincing before they took the first step over the edge.

“Getting out over the initial ledge was I think the most nerve-wracking aspect of it,” Gunn said. “The ride down, once I was out and over and away from the wall was actually really enjoyable.”

Susi Lafaele, the director of operations for the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, was another participant who tested her courage by rappelling down the hotel. After a brief mishap near the start of her rappel after getting nervous, Lafaele completed the rest of the decent with a rope burn, or “war wound,” on her arm.

“I’m unfamiliar with the whole leaning back and letting gravity go and still being supported by ropes, and I was afraid and didn’t want to do it,” Lafaele said. “It was great knowing I had so much support down here from my friends at Habitat for Humanity, my family and others that were in the crowd, so that was good; I didn’t want to let them down. And it was all for a good cause.”

The money raised through Friday’s event in St. George will go toward the 23rd home being built by Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah, which will house a single mother and her four kids, said Lil Barron, director of development and community relations. The construction project for the home will cost about $55,000 in the end.

Lil Barron, director of development and community relations, and Susi Lafaele, the director of operations for the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrate after Lafaele rappelled off the side of the Hyatt Place hotel in St. George, Utah, Sept. 14, 2018 | Photo by Spencer Ricks, St. George News

“(Over the Edge) will make a huge, huge dent,” Barron said.

Read more: Habitat for Humanity chooses single mother of 4 to receive its 23rd home

Many of the participants in the Over the Edge event raised funds through their businesses, like SkyWest Airlines or Canyon Media. Gunn wasn’t the only radio disc jockey to participate. Amy Chesley from 99.9 KONY Country and Matt Wilber from Planet 105.1 also went over the edge.

Habitat for Humanity prides itself in providing a “hand up” to low-income families in need by helping them build an affordable home. Those interested in still donating to Habitat for Humanity for Southwest Utah without rappelling off a building can do so by through its website.

“I’d do it again,” Gunn said. “It’s another thing I can cross off the bucket list. Next week — sky diving.”

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter:  @STGnews | @SpencerRicks

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

 

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.