Going ‘Over the Edge’ for the first time

The biggest step for the United Way of  Greater Nashua’s “Over the Edge” fundraising event — other than the first rappelling motion from the roof of a 24-story office tower — is making the decision to do it.

Juliana Townes is one of more than 100 “edgers” scheduled to participate Tuesday at the Brady Sullivan Plaza in Manchester. She has never rappelled down the side of a building, but she has basic knowledge of what to expect from the canyoneering class she took when she was a student at the University of Utah.

Juliana Townes

“I don’t know how big of a cliff it was. It was maybe 25 or 30 feet, but not 24 stories. That’s for sure,” says Townes, who works as a human resources specialist for Granite United Way.

“They brought us down to southern Utah where all the desert and the big rocks are, what you see out at Zion National Park,” Townes says. “What was the most nerve-wracking part about canyoneering is that in the desert there aren’t many trees to hook onto, so they put together a couple rocks, put the rope around the rocks and said, ‘Well, let’s hope it holds out.’

Townes and her fellow edgers will be rappelling in a more controlled environment Tuesday. Canadian company Over the Edge Global, founded in 2004, organizes urban rappelling experiences all over the world, partnering with local nonprofits to raise money for charity. Edgers are secured by two sets of cables, including one with a brake that activates if they are descending too quickly. (No rocks are involved.)

United Way of Greater Nashua has set a goal of $200,000 for the event, which features more than 20 New Hampshire nonprofits.

Townes will be raising money for Granite United Way, which she joined in September 2025.

“When I saw the opportunity to support them, I thought it would be not only a cool experience, but also a good way to give back,” Townes said. (Click here to visit her fundraising page.)

Kevin Finke, senior vice president and commercial real estate team leader for Needham Bank, was visiting the Over the Edge website for United Way of Greater Nashua to make a donation when he decided to become a participant. (Click here to visit his fundraising page.)

Finke’s closest experience to rappelling down an office tower is going ziplining in Las Vegas, where he was suspended about 12 stories from the street. He was drawn to the mission.

“I consider myself pretty fortunate in life. I had a good family growing up, been married for a long time, three kids, all healthy, couple of grandkids. No major issues in my life. Of course, there’ve been some, but nothing major,” Finke says. “I just know that United Way is helping people that have serious issues every day and are facing all sorts of obstacles and challenges.”

Kevin Finke

Ziplining aside, Finke says he’s never done anything like this before.

“In fact, people I’ve told that are doing this, they said, oh, so are you a mountain climber? I said, nope. Have you ever repelled on anything? Nope. Did you ever skydive? Nope. As I’m answering all those questions, I say, oh my God, what did I do? But I think it’s going to be great. I think it’s going to be a really cool experience.”

For edgers, the fundraising challenge can also be daunting, Townes says.

“When I started, I said, oh man, I don’t know if I can raise a thousand dollars. I think I can. So that was another uncertain thing,” Townes says. “Now I’m just over a thousand dollars, and I’m really excited for the opportunity to do this and to raise awareness for Granite United Way.

She also was encouraged by the support she received.

“The generosity of people really shines through, and you realize the people in your life too that kind of follow what you do and support the things you support,” Townes says. “That’s really cool to see as well.”