Nineteen-year-old Erin Boe has many cherished and happy memories from her time spent at the Easter Seals summer camp.
Because of that, she is getting ready to toss herself down 20 storeys.
The Richmondite, who defines herself as high-functioning autistic, will rappel 20 storeys during the sixth annual Drop Zone Vancouver, which happens on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at the AXA Place building, located at the corner of Burrard and West Hastings streets. All the funds raised will benefit three Easter Seals Houses, as well as its three summer camps for children with disabilities across the province.
Im really excited but honestly, I think my legs will be shaking but then I think Ill have lots of fun, said the Hugh Boyd secondary graduate. Easter Seals has given me so much fun over the years that I want and love to give back.
Boe spent a decade attending the free summer camp.
The camp in Squamish is so much fun and its a place where kids like me, with disabilities, can meet other kids like ourselves and feel really good about ourselves, said the Langara College general studies student, who hopes to get accepted into the journalism program.
Over the years, Boe has volunteered countless hours to the British Columbia Lions Society for Children with Disabilities and Easter Seals BC/Yukon organization. Most recently, she was the BC Easter Seals Ambassador, having served a two-year term.
As an ambassador, Boe attended various fundraising events and shared her experiences as a 10-year summer camper with the Easter Seals 24 Hour Relay camp.
I was also one of the 7,000 medal bearers across Canada for Rick Hansens 25th Anniversary Relay, she said. I was so proud and really excited. Rick Hansen came up to me and said hi.
The 2012 Drop Zone is yet another new challenge for the young teen; one she is eager to tackle.
Boe has only one hurdle in her quest to rappel 20-storeys and thats raising $1,000 in support of Easter Seals programs and services across the province. So far, Ive raised half of it.
The participants dubbed superheroes are encourage to dress up.
When asked what costume she plans to wear, Boe smiled slyly and said: I cant tell you I want it to be a surprise.
Boe will start training for her descent later this month at the Cliffhanger Climbing Gym in Coquitlam.
If you would like to help Boe reach her goal, you can donate at www.thedropzone.ca and find her name under individuals. For more information, call 604-873-1865 or visit www.lionsbc.ca.
Quick Facts
- More than $1 million has been raised so far
- On average, more than 80 superheroes rappel each year
- Easter Seals Houses provide a low cost caring place to stay for more than 100 parents and children per night. The nonprofit organization is able to send more than 900 children to camp each summer at no cost to their families, as well as fill 35,000 beds each year at Easter Seals Houses.
