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Tim Hallinan, WIU alumnus and director of Annual Giving, and Larry Pickett, WIU alumnus and academic advisor for the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies program, posed before rappelling down the Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, IA, this past Saturday (Aug. 25) as part of a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
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The 11-story rappel was part of the "Over the Edge for Kids Sake" fundraiser, which has raised more than $170,000 so far; proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Mississippi Valley in Davenport, which serves as the parent office of the McDonough and Warren counties BBBS.
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WIU Employees Go "Over the Edge" for the Kids

August 28, 2018

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Two Western Illinois University employees went "over the edge" for kids. Tim Hallinan, WIU alumnus and director of Annual Giving, and Larry Pickett, WIU alumnus and academic advisor for the Bachelor of Arts in General Studies program, rappelled down the Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, IA, this past Saturday (Aug. 25) as part of a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

"Western Illinois University students, faculty and staff have served as mentors to local children, event volunteers and fundraisers since the local BBBS office opened in October 2000," Hallinan said. "Our University's ongoing connection to BBBS is one of many examples of how campus/community partnerships can bring about real, tangible change in our kids and our community as a whole."

The 11-story rappel was part of the "Over the Edge for Kids Sake" fundraiser, which has raised more than $170,000 so far; proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Mississippi Valley in Davenport, which serves as the parent office of the McDonough and Warren counties BBBS.

Hallinan and Pickett were two of the more than 70 participants who are raising funds independently for BBBS and rappelled down the 140-foot tall building to also raise awareness of the organization.

"Our Big Brothers Big Sisters organization is one of the best mentoring affiliates in the country. The success of the event will allow us to increase its impact to over 1,000 children annually over the next three years, many of which are in the Macomb/McDonough County area." said Pete Tarantola, director of the McDonough and Warren counties BBBS.

Magnolia's restaurant in Macomb will host a viewing party showing video footage of the rappelling at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29. Tarantola will share information about the local office and answer questions about how businesses and individuals can get involved or support the local agency. Additional donations will be accepted at the event, and there will be a cash bar.

To learn more about the weekend rappelling event or to donate to the fundraiser (through Sept. 1), visit https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1458758 or https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/1383639.

Posted By: Alisha Looney (AA-Looney@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing