Women’s Center Fundraiser sees Participants Rappel Down Boji Tower

Standing on the edge of hardship and compassion, the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing descends into women’s issues by providing essential resources. At the center’s Saturday, May 18 Over the Edge fundraiser, donors and advocates literally descended to raise money for the women’s center. 

The first-ever, Over the Edge fundraiser saw participants rappel down the 297-ft Boji Tower – allowing them to see Lansing from a whole new perspective. Over the Edge was a labor of love with volunteer rope experts coming from across the country to help. 

The event saw several municipal and nonprofit organization leaders, media figures and more from the Greater Lansing area rappel down the Boji Tower. Even Lansing Lugnuts mascot Big Lug made his way down the side of the building. 

In addition to the rappelling, the streets were lively with friends and families soaking up the sun, food from local vendors, musical performances and bouncy houses for children to play in.

The event, which was sponsored by Grewal Law, had an end goal of raising $100,000. The women’s center achieved over half of the goal thanks to donor matches and the generosity of community members.

The money raised will help the center afford a larger quantity of sanitary products to keep up with the demand in the Greater Lansing community. The funds will also help strengthen its current services such as free counseling, and resources for domestic violence and human trafficking survivors.

Cathleen Weaver owns Re-vamp Fashion, which upcycles and hand makes one-of-a-kind clothing designed to be fashionable and inclusive. Weaver shared her art at the fundraiser and highlighted the importance of spaces such as the women’s center within a community. 

“I think they’re essential,” Weaver said. “I think women often suffer in silence and to have a space where women come together and find peace and help. And whatever it is that they need that’s important.” 

Women’s center employees take on difficult work that often requires them to work with individuals who are experiencing hardship or uncertain circumstances. The center’s Executive Director Rebecca Kasen was glad to be able to give employees a break from the often serious work with the fundraiser. 

In addition to the center’s staff and volunteers, Kasen credits Metro Melik of me2u promotions for helping to make the event a success. 

Communications manager at the women’s center, Angie Wooster, talks about her deep love and appreciation for the women’s center despite the hardships within the line of work.

“We are all there just being ourselves and allowing clients to be themselves…I’m never going to burn out, I will fight till I’m in the ground,” Wooster said.

The women’s center is still accepting donations. If you missed the event but would still like to give, contributions are accepted here.