As the days count down to the main event at the Verzasca Dam, the question I still get asked is WHY?Why would I want to do something so crazy as to fly half way around the world to Switzerland, and then throw myself off the highest dam in Europe with just a rubber cord harnessed to my ankles?
We all have goals in life and doing this is one of mine. I’ve done 52 bungee jumps but never from anything as high as Goldeneye (220m). So that is the next challenge. When considering doing this I came to the realization that attempting to do more jumps there than anybody is certainly an accomplishment but that wasn’t enough. Could I combine this with a public awareness and fundraising effort? My immediate response was YES. The idea was so compelling and I had no legitimate reason to say “no I can’t”. That was the genesis of The Gravity Gives Project.
The other question I’m asked is why the three charities that were picked for this project.
The GGP is very unique in the world of fundraising and I wanted to help some causes that would normally not get the level of exposure and assistance that the project is generating. The issues that these groups deal with are universal and they are in every corner of society. The people from these organizations do the best they can and rely heavily on the good conscience and generosity of people just to stay alive.
The Halton Learning Foundation works hard with school faculties to assist students who are economically disadvantaged and these conditions are a very real barrier to the student achieving the education they deserve. Where the province can’t help, The Halton Learning Foundation steps in and levels the playing field. It can be a matter of making sure the student has a proper lunch to providing vouchers for clothing. It may not solve all the problems but it may just be enough to get the student on their feet and on the right path.
The Deck Youth Centre has been in Milton for several years now and that by itself is an accomplishment. They provide an alternative to Milton’s youth who simply want to spend their spare time in more productive ways and in a safe and non judgemental environment. The Deck has helped many young people deal with the overwhelming issues that today’s youth face and have an exceptional record when in comes to encouraging them to resist the destructive influence of drugs and gangs.
Domestic violence is not something that you just read about in papers or see on the news. It has been blight on society for centuries and no community is immune. Halton Women’s Place provides sanctuary and assistance to women and their children who are desperate for a better life and feel that no one cares and that they have no where to go. There is strength and nobility in a woman who has summoned the courage to do what is best for her and sometimes her children, despite a future that is both frightening as well as uncertain. The Halton Women’s Place is a comfort and reassurance for victims in a very dark time in their life.
So if you know a family that is struggling and their kids don’t have the proper clothing or food to be their best in school, a young person who cant stand another night of listening to parents fight and has to go somewhere that they can feel welcome, or a woman who has reached her breaking point and has decided that she wants her life back, then this is your chance to do something. We can’t solve all the problems of society but where we can make a difference, even a little difference, it may be all the difference in the world to a person who thinks no one cares.
The jumps in Switzerland take place on September 26th. We will be accepting donations through Paypal on this site or by mailing a cheque to our post office box. Donations are being accepted until October 23rd in order to give everyone a chance to be part of this.
If I accomplish my goal that day in Switzerland then return to give three large cheques out to these people, I will call that a good day and the question of why will be answered.
