Susan Johnson isn't a huge fan of heights. But she rappelled 22 floors down the side of the Ecolab Corporate Center in St. Paul Friday, in honor of her son Wade who died mountain climbing in China.
"It's part of the circle of life," said Johnson, of Arden Hills. "I got him started rock climbing when he was a kid and he got me rock climbing when he died."
Johnson was among dozens of normally earth-bound Minnesotans who dangled from the top of the downtown St. Paul building during one of Minnesota's most unusual nonprofit fundraisers.
The "Double Dog Dare" was the first nonprofit rappelling fundraiser, organizers said. The challenge drew about 80 hardy souls who raised at least $1,000 each for the Northern Star Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
"We have leadership breakfasts, recognition dinners, golf tournaments ... and things like clay shoots, where you shoot clay pigeons," said council spokesperson Jenny Hedal. "But this has topped the list in terms of reaching a broad audience."
Among the intrepid folks donning climbing gear and helmets throughout the day were Tom Rassieur, curator at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, who happens to be getting married Saturday; Jim Bradshaw, a Twin Cities funeral services owner who rappelled the first time at the age of 69; and David Miller, the general manager of the St. Paul Hotel.
Ecolab employees, including some who spent the day watching odd people hanging outside their office windows, also joined in.
"How often do you get to rappel down your own corporate headquarters?" joked Christopher Diller, an Ecolab engineer, after removing his straps and climbing gear.
