Jumping Out of a Perfectly Good Airplane

Okay, this notice is long overdue (I promised them I’d mention it a while ago), but this Saturday, four of my friends are going to be doing tandem free falls to benefit Speaking Out About Rape (SOAR) and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). It’s part of a program called Operation Freefall, and it’s being conducted nationwide to raise both funds and awareness to bring a stop to sexual assault — including expansion and maintenance of the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) and various educational programs.

While I’d never dream of jumping out of an airplane (okay, truth be told, I’ve always wanted to, but I’m not allowed), these noble souls — Courtney Davis, Joe Orsinger, Hillary Tisdale, and David Seitzinger, collectively known as team “Lead Balloon” — will be risking their very lives by doing so to help others. They’re still actively seeking donations, so if you’d like to help out, please contact Hillary.

I don’t know if I’ll be able (Pam’s going to be leaving on a trip to New York, so it’ll just be the girls and I), but I’d like to at least watch from below. The jumps are scheduled to begin around 9:30 or so, so it’ll depend on what time the team actually goes.

Then again, should anything go wrong, I’d hate to have to explain the bloody mess to the kids...