Operation Freefall

[elionwyr]

On April 25th, I will be jumping out of a perfectly good airplane to raise money for SOAR, a rather wonderful organization dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault.

Operation Freefall is a radical fundraising effort that happens simultaneously in varied cities across the US on the last Saturday of every April. In the past eight years, Operation Freefall has raised over $1,000,000 with nearly two-thirds of that going back to local community organizations.

So. Radical = win.

Why am I doing this?

Most personally, I was date raped when I was 16. As a result, I literally lost about a year out of my life. I have a remarkably good memory, and I can remember very little about my senior year of high school. Most of what I *can* remember, I wish I could forget. I turned 17, I graduated, and I pretty much ran away from home all within a week...I fled to Philadelphia, to my mother's arms. And it took a few more years before I was really able to get a grip on all the after-effects of that rape.

To quote the Operation Freefall website:
The FBI categorizes rape as the second most violent crime a person can experience, second only to murder. To put it another way, it’s the most violent and traumatic crime any victim lives to remember. Every two minutes, another American is sexually assaulted. It is the most underreported of all crimes in the United States. The effects of sexual violence affect all of us.

I am jumping out of a perfectly good plane in part because I want to do something radical for the child I once was. I am alive. I am alive despite my conviction for years that I shouldn't be, that rape doesn't happen to smart girls.

Also, I made a promise to shadesong two years ago that I would do this. :)

So.
I need to raise $1000 by April 1st.
Please consider sponsoring me by visiting this link.

And thank you so much.

Comments

[e-scapism101.livejournal.com]

Give me a few weeks to put aside a small donation and I will sponser you before you jump.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

I will poke you in April.
**Hug**

[sidhefire.livejournal.com]

Done. And I'm proud of you, just so you know...
*big hugs*

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you - so much, thank you.
*hug*

[oneagain.livejournal.com]

I am alive despite my conviction for years that I shouldn't be,

Yeah. That.

Thank you.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

**hug**

[autumnyte.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is a really unique fundraising idea.

This cause is very personal to me as well, so thank you.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much.
**hug**

Best of luck.

[apisanthrop.livejournal.com]

Wishing you a wonderful, exciting, flight and a wonderful, dull, landing!

Also a small pledge from both Shadow and myself.
*{hugs}*

Re: Best of luck.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, for all of the above!
**hug**

[alysten.livejournal.com]

Hugh sent me...

This is near and dear to my heart. Your endurance is nothing short of a miracle, and it is apparent that you are a very strong person.We may not know each other, but I gladly give to you and this organization.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you - for the words, and for the support.
*hug*

[maryling.livejournal.com]

Sent by rm. All the best to you.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you - both for the words and the donation!
**Hug**

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

You are wonderful.
*adds to list of people who are braver than me*

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the support.
**hug**

[stardragonca.livejournal.com]

http://ginmar.livejournal.com/1675740.html?mode=reply

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link!

[amandakcampbell.livejournal.com]

Donated and friended. (I come from the land of rm, coyotegoth and stardragonca.) I think what you're doing is totally amazing, and I'm in awe.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Thank you *so* much for your words and your donation!

*hug*