Local Leaders, Volunteers to Rappel Down Hilton Hotel In Arlington

ARLINGTON, VA — Local officials and members of the public will be participating in a two-day fundraising event at the Hilton Arlington National Landing, where they will be rappelling down the exterior façade of the 14-story building.

The “14 Stories of New Hope” fundraiser will raise money for New Hope Housing, an Alexandria-based nonprofit that addresses homelessness in Northern Virginia by providing shelter, housing and an array of support services.

This is the second year of the event. Last year, the inaugural event raised more than $230,000 and included Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and Arlington County Board member Matt de Ferranti, both of whom rappelled down the hotel.

At Thursday’s VIP event between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Hilton Arlington, a local teen, Ryan Alam, will rappel down in a wheelchair. Alam has a degenerative genetic disorder that limits his mobility.

In the past few years, Alam has created fundraisers for research into his disease that involved him sky-diving, swimming with sharks, and cooking with Gordon Ramsay.

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Among local politicians, Dalia Palchik, who represents the Providence District on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Dan Storck, who represents the Mount Vernon District on the board, will be rappelling down the hotel.

Other VIPs participating in Thursday’s event include Chef David Guas, owner of Bayou Bakery; Adele McClure, Forbes 30 Under 30 winner, and executive director of Virginia Legislative Black Caucus; and Emily Smith, defensive back for the DC Divas.

Since the VIP event falls on May the 4th, the organizers have invited a local volunteer group, the 501st group, to attend in full stormtrooper costume.

On Friday, there will be a full day of rappelling down the Hilton hotel as part of the fundraiser. Nearly 100 people are expected to rappel down the hotel on Friday, including Jizzy Belle, a local drag queen performer who will be rappelling in full costume.

Friday's event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since it falls on May 5, the Friday festivities will have a Cinco de Mayo theme and will include food trucks, cocktails, massage therapists and a DJ.

Among the sponsors of the two-day event are Keller Williams MetroCenter, the Hilton Arlington National Landing, and Over The Edge Global, a Canada-based urban rappelling company.

The Hilton Arlington National Landing is located at 2399 Richmond Highway in Arlington.