Brave souls go over the edge for a worthy cause

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The annual ‘Over the Edge’ event isn’t for the faint of heart – or acrophobics – as participants gather this Saturday at The Woodlands Towers at the Waterway – located at 9950 Woodloch Forest Tower – and rappel from the rooftop down to the spacious 11th-floor rooftop terrace, for a 20-story descent. Friends, family and community members will be able to cheer on participants from the terrace and greet them upon landing.

These thrillseekers are giving their all for a worthy cause – funds raised go toward operations of Camp For All, a local nonprofit that transforms the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs. Dozens of participants – cheered on by their supporters and loved ones – will rappel down from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Woodlands Online recently talked with two of these participants – Michael ‘Mike’ Cvejanovich, accounting manager with Howard Hughes, and Lauren Grochocki, vice president and consulting financial manager at Aon.

Cvejanovich, when he lived in Dallas, volunteered for years at Camp John Marc, frequently alongside his wife. Additionally, he served as a counselor at the annual MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) summer camps, enjoying each experience to the fullest. A few days after he moved to The Woodlands area from Dallas, he heard about Over the Edge and signed up. The self-described ‘thrillseeker’ also enjoys skydiving, so rapid descents from great heights don’t seem to bother him too much.

“It’s so much fun,” he told Woodlands Online. “The event has grown over the years, and we have so many more people coming from more companies.”

To qualify for the ‘honor’ of dropping from a ledge hundreds of feet in the air, a participant needs to raise at least $1,500 in donations. According to Cvejanovich, Howard Hughes employees are more than generous; plus, the corporation itself provides matching funds. “They’re happy to give, and I’m already over $2,000.”

Like Cvejanovich, Grochocki was a camp counselor during her college years and found her calling for service. Unlike him, this is her first time going over the edge.

“I wanted to do things for camps for my whole life; I love how they give independence to campers,” she told Woodlands Online. “When I graduated college, I was involved with Camp Healing Hearts before COVID shut it down. Now I’m a counselor for Camp For All.”

Likewise, Cvejanovich volunteers his time at Camp For All as a counselor. “You see the relief it provides for the families, who are frequently under nonstop pressure,” he said.

Grochocki is nervous at the prospect of having a length of nylon stand between her and a significant drop in altitude, but her fortitude is evident. “There’s no reason to not do this,” she said. “I love sharing the mission.”

Partnering with more than 65 other nonprofit organizations, Camp For All delivers a barrier-free camp experience for nearly 9,000 campers each year.