Rappeler profile: Michelle Clabaugh
Michelle Clabaugh is a first-time rappeler who will join nearly 200 people as they descend the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel on July 29 during Minnesota Vikings training camp at this year's Down for the Challenge event.
She found out about Down for the Challenge while scrolling through Facebook. When she saw the event in her newsfeed, she couldn’t resist signing up.
“I'm an adventure person,” said Michelle, who works in memberships at the Minnesota Zoo. “I have done everything from skydiving, to hang gliding, to paragliding, to race car driving. Now rappelling is something I can cross off my list.”
Surprisingly, rappelling is not what excites Michelle the most about Down for the Challenge. Raising money to fight homelessness does. She used to work for a housing nonprofit and is passionate about the cause.
“I’m in full support of any mission to provide help to those in need,” she said. “I’m raising money for a great cause and having fun doing so.”
Down for the Challenge seeks to raise $600,000 for Salvation Army housing and homeless-prevention programs in the Twin Cities. The Salvation Army operates 25 housing facilities in Minnesota that shelter hundreds of people every night, with rent and utility assistance programs that last year helped save thousands of households from eviction.
Another bonus for Michelle: Down for the Challenge is a partnership with the Minnesota Vikings and she is a huge fan of the team.
“‘Fan’ is an understatement,” Michelle said.
Video
Watch legendary Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter describe how The Salvation Army helped his family and why he is Down for the Challenge.
Are you Down for the Challenge? You can support The Salvation Army’s efforts to fight homelessness by donating to or participating in our Down for the Challenge urban rappelling event with the Minnesota Vikings. This adrenaline-pumping event takes place July 28-29 at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel during Vikings training camp.