File photos A man rappels down the side of Manchester’s Brady Sullivan Tower last year during the Live United Over the Edge event. The 2019 event is set for June 27-28.

NASHUA – Looking down over a 24-story building is likely to lead to excitement, uneasiness, fear and number of other human emotions.

Those daring enough to stand at the top of the Brady Sullivan Tower, 1000 Elm St., Manchester, on June 27 and 28 in support of more than 25 nonprofits during the Live United Over the Edge event are preparing for quite an adrenaline rush. They plan to rappel their way down the side of the tower.

Organizations including the United Way of Greater Nashua, Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity, Marguerite’s Place and Southern New Hampshire Health and Elliot Hospital, among many others have teamed up with supporters and members of the community who will be rappelling down the 300-foot tower.

With more than 25 organizations slated to benefit from the fundraising efforts, the event aims to help many nonprofit groups throughout New Hampshire … while literally pushing those who raised money for causes to the edge.

“Each person who is participating needs to raise a minimum of $1,000 to go over the edge,” United Way of Greater Nashua President Mike Apfelberg. “I think the people who are actually doing it, the primary emotion is fear. I’ve done this both times, and I was scared both times.”

Apfelberg said the fear participants may feel at the top of the 300-foot tower much of the time finishes second to the inspiration those involved feel about helping the community.

“Your head doesn’t exactly coordinate with your heart when your up there,” Apfelberg said about the experience. “Your head says, ‘I shouldn’t be doing this.’ But your heart is focused on the strength and effort, and giving back to the community.”

“I think much of the time, your heart wins out,” he added.

Much of that inspiration, in Apfleberg’s opinion, comes from wanting to help others. That inspiration spills over to each and every nonprofit participating in the event. Despite being in competition throughout the year with one and other, Over the Edge can bring them together to cheer for each other.

“It’s very inspiring to see that all the different nonprofits that will compete with each other to raise the funds,” Apfelberg said.“It’s really a good way to foster a spirit of partnership.”

While a VIP Team of sponsors and contributors will be going to the tower on the first day of the two-day event, those who raised money for causes will be rappelling on the second day.

Apfelberg said the event, which serves not only Nashua nonprofits, but ones that reach across New Hampshire, and the sponsors involved in organizing the event really step up every year to provide a great experience. Some of the sponsors include Boston Billiard Club & Casino, St. Joseph Hospital, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, and The Telegraph.

Most importantly, Apfelberg said the location being provided by the Brady Sullivan Tower is a huge factor in the experience, as he said the company’s support from the beginning has been a great contributor to the event.

With the event less than three weeks away, the United Way is already almost halfway to the goal, with $97,600 of $200,000 officials hope to raise by the day of the event.

The United Way is still looking for about 40 individuals to act as both training and harnessing volunteers as well as event support volunteers. Those interested in the volunteer opportunities should go to www.volunteergreaternashua.org/.

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