DuPagePads is Reaching New Heights for Homelessness at Second Annual Charity Challenge

NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS – DuPagePads is reaching new heights with fundraising for ending homelessness on Saturday, May 9, 2026, with the 2nd Annual Charity Challenge: The Great Descent, an innovative fundraising event hosted in partnership with Over the Edge. The event will see 55 thrill-seeking DuPagePads supporters’ rappel 12 stories down the side of the hotel located in the heart of the CityGate Centre in Naperville. Each participant must raise a minimum of $500 in donations for DuPagePads to be eligible to rappel. The Charity Challenge is a day-long event, beginning at 11am, with rappelling sessions running on a rotating schedule through 6pm. Family, friends, and spectators are invited to come down and support participants while enjoying music, food, and fun.

Chuck Manginelli, returning to the event as committee chair, is looking forward to an even larger turnout this year. “With this being our second year for this event, we are really excited to more than double both the number of participants who will repel down the side of Hotel Arista, but also double our sponsorship impact,” shared Manginelli. “Having personally repelled twice, it is a safe and exhilarating experience. The Descent will bring a media presence that will not only drive participation in this event, but also help to bring more awareness to the issue of homelessness in DuPage County and how DuPagePads is working hard to put an end to it.”

The event is open to all ages. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, and all participants must be within the 100 to 300 pound required weight range (as per Over the Edge safety standards). If you have questions about special accommodations for participants with special needs, severe health complications or allergies, and more, please reach out to Carrie Flick at cflick@dupagepads.org

Over the Edge is a special events company that provides signature events for non-profit organizations across Canada and the United States. Over the Edge and their team of Certified Rope Access Technicians have helped raise over $100 Million with non-profit partners, hosted over 1,000 rappelling events, and maintained a spotless safety record through their 10 years of operation.

Event registration is now open. Register today at https://www.givesignup.org/dupagepadsthegreatdescent