UPDATE:  Kipp is now rappelling 17 stories off the Hyatt Regency St. Louis on Saturday,  Oct. 4 instead of  the Jefferson State Office Building on Oct. 18.
To donate, make checks out to Special Olympics Missouri and then place them in Kipp’s mailbox or deliver them to Room 143. To donate online, visit http://somo.kintera.org/edgejc/erickipp2014.

Special Education teacher Eric Kipp lives life on the edge.

In effort to raise money for Missouri’s Special Olympics, Kipp has pledged to rappel down the 13 story high Jefferson State Office building in Jefferson City once he gathers $1000 in donations.

Kipp’s fundraising endeavor is made possible by a special events company called ‘Over the Edge’. According to its website, ‘Over the Edge’ “provides signature events for non-profit organizations around the world. Participants are invited to raise funds in exchange for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of going over the edge of a local building.”

Kipp, however, is already a pro at performing exhilarating feats to collect donations.

“Last year for Special Olympics I did the Polar Plunge…that’s every February. It’s at Creve Coeur Lake; you have to have at least $75 for that and then you run into the water and you’re freezing cold,” Kipp explained.

This year, though, Kipp is taking his fundraising efforts to new heights with his ‘Over the Edge’ campaign.

“It’s an opportunity to raise money for Special Olympics Missouri. You have to raise at least $1000 in order to participate. All that money goes towards all the athletes in Missouri,” Kipp said.

So far, Kipp has raised just over $500. In order to solicit donations, Kipp has sent out staff emails, hung posters in the copy room, and posted updates on Facebook.

“I’ve had quite a good outcome. I have until Oct.17 to raise the rest of the money but there’s been a number of people here at the school who have donated,” Kipp said.

If October 17 rolls around and Kipp is still short of his quota, he pledges to donate all he raised, although he will not be able to rappel. Still, Kipp is confident he can reach his goal.

“If I don’t raise the money, then all the money that I raise will still go toward Special Olympics; I just won’t get to rappel. I only have about $450 left, and I figure worst comes to worst, I can always get my parents to pay for the last little bit,” Kipp said.

Despite the focus on hitting a financial requirement, this project is about much more than money.

“Obviously the students I work with who have disabilities are special to me and so it provides an opportunity for them to go out and do these sports on their level and try their best and feel good about themselves,” Kipp said.

Kipp knows first hand the opportunities Special Olympics Missouri provides his students. Every year, Kipp takes his kids to three different Special Olympics events.

“We do bowling and then we do track and field one day and basketball one day. They get to do what we do; they participate during the school day. They get to go out and win medals,” Kipp said.

What’s more, the Special Olympics focuses on the spirit of the games, not simply on winning a prize.

“It’s about trying your best and if you do not win, being brave in the attempt and just trying new things,” Kipp said.

Provided he gathers the money, Kipp will rappel Saturday Oct. 18; he is nothing short of enthusiastic.

“I was a Boy Scout so I’ve done some rappelling, but definitely the first part going over the initial [drop] is going to be pretty scary. But I’m excited; I hope that I can hit my goal,” Kipp said.

Kipp welcomes donations of any amount to help him reach his target.

“It’s hard because you’re asking for money, but it’s not for me; it’s for this great thing that Special Olympics does for all its students. I love it. People are donating anywhere from $10 all the way to $100. If I could get everybody to donate a couple bucks, it’d be easy to reach my goal,” Kipp said.

Over the edge of $1000, Kipp will complete the jump of a lifetime and at the same time, donate to a cause he is passionate about.