FAQs for Make-A-Wish® Rope for Hope

A. Participation Questions:

  1. Are there any age restrictions to participating in Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope?

  2. Are there any physical restrictions?

  3. How many people do we need to make a team?

  4. If I am part of a team, do we rappel at the same time?

B. Event Day Questions:

  1. What happens if it’s raining on event day?

  2. What can I expect on event day?
     

     

  3. How long will it take?

  4. What time is the event?

  5. What should I wear?

  6. Where can I find information about safety?

C. Fundraising Questions:

  1. Where does the money go?

  2. How long do I have to raise the funds?

  3. What happens if I am unable to secure the $1,500 minimum pledge?

  4. Will I get a tax receipt?

  5. Can I raise money offline?

D. Team Questions:

  1. If we raise more than $1,500 can more than one person participate?

  2. What if we raise the money and decide we no longer want to rappel?

 

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A. Participation Answers:

 

  1. Are there any age restrictions to participating in Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope?


    Rappelling eligibility is determined by an individual’s age and weight. If you are under the age of 18 and want to know more about this exhilarating opportunity, contact us at ropeforhope@makeawish.ca.

     

  2. Are there any physical restrictions?


    Participants must be a minimum of 110 pounds and no heavier than 300 pounds at rappel day.

     

  3. How many people do we need to make a team?


    Two or more individuals that sign up under a team name and have raised $1,500 each are by all accounts a “team”.  There is no limit to the amount of team members you have, keeping in mind there are typically 90 spots available for an event (check with your local Rope for Hope rep to reconfirm local event number capacity). 

     

  4. If I am part of a team, do we rappel at the same time?


    Event organizers will do their absolute best to schedule your teammates’ rappels as close together as possible. Please keep in mind scheduling is on a first-come, first-serve basis and it may not be possible to schedule everyone in subsequent order.  Please also note that at most events there are only two ropes on event day, so even if you are scheduled together, it is not possible to have more than two individuals rappel together at the same time.

 


B. Event Day Answers:

 

 

  1. What happens if it’s raining on event day?


    Typically these events can operate in rain. When rain, lightening, wind or heat become extreme, the event will be delayed at least 10 minutes from the last observed strike or sound of thunder or until these conditions ease and are deemed safe by event personnel.  Event organizers will reach out to all participants via the Event Phone (which will be active on the day of your event only. Your event organizer will provide you with a phone number as the event date approaches.  This will allow us to keep you updated throughout the day if weather affects rappel time.  


    If you have inquiries on any other day please call your local Make-A-Wish® office. 


    Once you have signed up for your event, your local chapter will notify you of a date in case of a full day rain delay. Note: Rain dates are always the following day of the scheduled event. E.g. Event day is June 14 and it's cancelled due to weather; therefore, June 15 will be the alternate event date.

     

  2. What can I expect on event day?


    Please arrive one hour prior to your rappel time at your event location. Make-A-Wish® volunteers will be onsite to direct you and take you through the staging area to training and then your rappel!  After you have successfully completed your challenge you are free to watch other rappels or leave the event. Don’t forget to sign up for next year! 

     

  3. How long will it take?


    From registration to rappelling, your “thrill of a lifetime” should take approximately 1.5 hours.  The actual rappel will average 10 minutes but could be as long as 20+ minutes depending on the individual’s rappelling pace.  Afterwards you are welcome to stay and cheer on other participants!

     

  4. What time is the event?


    Please check on your local Rope for Hope event website for event day details and confirmed times. You will also receive an email from the Make-A-Wish® office confirming your rappel time one week leading up to the event.

     

  5. What should I wear?


    Please wear comfortable clothing and closed toe shoes.  You will be provided with helmets, harnesses and all other rappelling equipment needed. If you are dressing up, please run your outfit of choice by Make-A-Wish® organizers before event day to ensure it complies with safety regulations.  Please also note all cell phones and cameras must be left at registration.

     

  6. Where can I find information about safety?

    Over the Edge is the operations company managing rappelling events from a set-up, insurance, training and safety perspective. Click here to review their safety summary document.

 


C. Fundraising Answers:

 

  1. Where does the money go?


    The money you raise goes towards wish granting efforts for your local Make-A-Wish® chapter.

     

  2. How long do I have to raise the funds?


    You have until the day of your event to raise the $1,500 minimum. Should you not meet this minimum fundraising amount by event day, you will be required to pay the remaining amount before you will be permitted to take part in your rappel.

     

  3. What happens if I am unable to secure the $1,500 minimum pledge?


    If you do not have 50% of your $1,500 ($750) by two weeks prior to your rappel you will be contacted by Make-A-Wish® to discuss your progress and your ability to raise the funds by event day.

     

  4. Will I get a tax receipt?


    All donations will automatically get a tax receipt. Donations of more than $20 received via mail will also be issued tax receipts as long as full contact information is provided. Your $50 registration fee is NOT tax receiptable. The registration fee goes to cover part of event operating costs.

  5. Can I raise money offline?


    Yes, simply bring any cash or cheques made payable to Make-A-Wish, to your your local area office for processing. Remember to bring full names and addresses for tax receipting purposes.

 


D. Team Answers:

 

 

 

  1. If we raise more than $1,500 can more than one person participate?


    The minimum fundraising amount per person is $1,500.  If you are raising money as a team, each team member is still required to raise his or her minimum fundraising requirement individually. We encourage team members to raise even more!

  2. What if we raise the money and decide we no longer want to rappel?


    All monies raised are NON-REFUNDABLE. If you or someone on your team does not wish to rappel on event day, you may offer a replacement to rappel in his/her place provided appropriate waivers are signed and they have registered on site with Make-A-Wish® staff.