Thanks in part to Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of post-secondary education services focused on providing higher access to higher education, $40,000 was raised for local children on Saturday, Oct. 17, when visitors to downtown San Diego were startled to see dozens of daredevils cascading down the side of the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel, the west coast’s tallest waterfront building.
As a proud supporter of the Kids Included Together (KIT) “Over the Edge” event, Bridgepoint Education not only contributed monetarily, but also participated in the one-of-a-kind experience which provided a spectacular display of urban rappelling with a positive message of empowerment and inclusion.
KIT is a non-profit organization devoted to providing children with and without disabilities the same access to recreational and developmental opportunities as other children. The organization’s goal is to increase understanding and acceptance of disabilities as a natural part of life. Over the Edge was hosted by KIT as a unique fundraising opportunity.
To take part in the event, participants were asked to raise a minimum of $1,000 in pledges for Kids Included Together. More than 40 brave men, women and children took the plunge over the side of the building, descending approximately 357 feet in roughly 15 minutes from the 33rd story of the hotel’s Harbor Tower. In the spirit of Kids Included Together’s mission of inclusion, several disabled children were invited to participate in the rappelling event where, in wheelchairs, they too descended the exterior of the hotel.
In support of the event, Bridgepoint Education donated $2,500 to KIT. In addition, two members of the Bridgepoint team went over the edge on Saturday. Rocky Sheng, senior vice president and chief administrative officer, and Ashford University provost Elizabeth Tice.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill,” said Tice. “Seeing the faces of the kids after they came down the building was an even bigger thrill.”
KIT has a close relationship with Bridgepoint Education and two Bridgepoint associates are on the non-profit organization’s board. Dr. Jane McAuliffe, Bridgepoint’s senior vice president and chief academic officer serves as the Kids Included Together board president. Rebecca Wardlow, program director at Ashford University, is also an active board member.
“Bridgepoint Education believes in working with organizations that empower children to become active, vital members of society,” said McAuliffe. “Kids Included Together focuses on the ability in every child.”
About Bridgepoint Education
Bridgepoint Education’s postsecondary education services focus on offering associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the disciplines of business, education, psychology, social sciences and health sciences. Bridgepoint Education’s regionally accredited academic institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – deliver their programs online as well as at traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information about Bridgepoint Education, visit www.bridgepointeducation.com or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations at 858.668.2580.