UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A charitable event — and the first of its kind to be held at Beaver Stadium — will allow participants to rappel 110 feet from the south side of the country’s second-largest stadium to benefit the Centre County United Way in mid-May.
The Over The Edge event at Beaver Stadium will take place May 19, and the first 107 people who reach the $1,500 fundraising minimum will be selected to participate. All proceeds from the event benefit the Centre County United Way, which has been the University’s charity of choice for nearly 50 years.
Participants may register by visiting the event’s fundraising platform — which allows those interested to gather support from family and friends to reach the fundraising total, or to simply make a donation to participate. Anyone from campus or the community, as well as Penn State alumni and friends and supporters of Penn State Athletics, are eligible to participate.
“Penn State is a proud and steadfast supporter of the Centre County United Way, which supports our neighbors in need through responsive, individualized services at the intersections of health, education and financial stability,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “This event represents months of collaboration between Penn State and the United Way, and we are excited to see it become a reality. As a land-grant university committed to improving lives in our communities and our commonwealth, we are proud to continue to partner with the United Way to make a positive impact here in Centre County.”
Funds raised through the annual Penn State United Way Campaign contribute more than 40% of the dollars raised for the Centre County United Way each year. Part of the rappelling effort will include challenges between academic and business units at the University to reach fundraising goals and send representatives from their groups “Over The Edge.”
“Many people worked to make this event a reality and we’re excited to be able to host Over The Edge at Beaver Stadium,” Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Kraft said. “The United Way has been an important part of Penn State’s philanthropy and a huge part of our Centre County community. This is a special opportunity and going to be a great event!”
Beaver Stadium has played host to fundraising efforts for the campaign in the past, notably with the Trash to Treasure sale that was discontinued during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, Penn State employees drive the success of the Penn State IT Centre County United Way Golf Tournament, which is conducted on the Penn State Golf Courses each September.
“We are thrilled about the exciting Over the Edge event to be held at Beaver Stadium and we are most grateful for Penn State’s continued commitment to support Centre County United Way, our partner agencies, and, most importantly, our neighbors,” said Paula Williams, executive director of the Centre County United Way.
Every year, one in three Centre County residents access the resources and services funded through the United Way and over 53,000 county residents can live fuller, richer, more stable lives because of the University’s support for the Centre County United Way.
Questions about Over The Edge at Beaver Stadium may be directed to the Centre County United Way by calling 814-238-8283. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities for the high-profile event remain available.