University of Nevada, Reno’s Eric James to rappel down the Grand Sierra Resort Saturday; Donations accepted through today
RENO, Nev. – Hundreds of public safety leaders gathered in Reno last week for the 54th Annual International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators conference, and before they left for their hometowns, they tossed a few dollars into a basket and formed the University of Nevada, Reno PD rappelling team to support a local charity.
Members of the law enforcement association contributed an initial $480 to send University Commander Eric James, on a rope, down 30 stories of Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort building at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 30.
Commander Eric James of the University of Nevada, Reno Police Services will rappel down the Grand Sierra Resort building at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 30, in a fundraising event benefiting Special Olympics Nevada.
“We talked about the opportunity for the members to put a UNR officer ‘Over The Edge’ to benefit our annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics,” Lisa Walter, chief of police and parking at the University of Wisconsin, said. “Commander James volunteered for the cause and we formed the team.”
Over the Edge is a special events company that provides signature events for non-profit organizations in North America. Participants are invited to raise pledges, a minimum of $1,000, in exchange to rappel over the edge of a local building. Reno’s event is fundraising for Special Olympics Nevada, providing participants the thrilling chance to rappel down the Grand Sierra Resort. More than $25,000 has already been donated to teams and individuals taking the descent this weekend.
“I’m terrified of heights,” James, who used to teach rappelling classes in the military, said. “But I am always careful and I’ll have the proper equipment, and it’s a fun event for a good cause.”
James will be rappelling on Saturday with many local people, including Reno radio personality RJ Palominos from Alice 96.5 FM. Family, friends and on-lookers are welcome to watch rappellers from the pool area on the south side of the Grand Sierra Resort.
Donate to Commander James’ fundraising efforts here.
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Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno has an enrollment of 18,000 students and is ranked in the top tier of the nation’s best universities. Part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, the University has the system’s largest research program and is home to the state’s medical school. With outreach and education programs in all Nevada counties and with one of the nation’s largest study-abroad consortiums, the University extends across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu.
Media Contact:
Natalie Savidge
Senior Media Relations Specialist
University Media Relations
University of Nevada, Reno/108
Reno, NV 89557
775-784-4611 phone
775-784-1422 fax
nsavidge@unr.edu
Media newsroom: http://newsroom.unr.edu
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