Rappelling over 300 feet down the side of a building will draw attention from people walking by. As a long-time supporter of Autism Speaks, Ewing Irrigation was asked to participate in a new event in Phoenix, Over the Edge with Autism Speaks, where employees did just that. On March 6, three Ewing employees took the challenge and rappelled down 23 stories at the Hyatt Regency.

“It was a great experience and a fantastic way to get people together and test their limits,” said Ewing Human Resources Representative Krista Izzo. “My heart was pounding as the adrenaline was flying through me, and the look on everyone’s face that went before me as they stood on the ledge and looked down did not help matters at all! I would be lying if I said I was not thinking about taking the elevator back down to the bottom. This was probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, so I knew I had to force myself to overcome my fear.”

The Over the Edge with Autism Speaks event generated local awareness about Autism Speaks through the out-of-the-box fundraising event. Local celebrities, including a radio host and an MLB mascot, went “over the edge” to bring attention to Autism Speaks.

On March 7, nearly 50 others rappelled down the side of the hotel, raising a combined $50,000 for Autism Speaks. This extreme event attracted a crowd to watch the participants make their way down the building.

“It brought a lot of attention to Autism Speaks not only from the participants, but also from the strangers that walked by and asked ‘What are these crazy people doing?’” Izzo said.

In conjunction with the annual P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon, Team Ewing members commit to fundraising for Autism Speaks. Since 2009, Team Ewing has raised a total of over $200,000.