Police Officer to Rappel Down Mohegan Sun For Charity

Many people live their lives close to the edge, or even on the edge, but in a few weeks, an Enfield police officer is willingly going "Over the Edge" to benefit a worthy cause.

Officer Vanessa Magagnoli will be rapelling down the side of the 34-story Mohegan Sun Casino hotel tower on Oct. 20 during "Over the Edge", a fundraiser for Special Olympics Connecticut.

"This is a new event this year, and it seemed exciting to me, so I particularly wanted to take part in this specific one," Magagnoli said. "Hopefully if this goes well, next year we can get more officers involved."

Magagnoli said she has never attempted skydiving, bungee jumping or anything similar to what she will be experiencing at Mohegan Sun.

"I've never done anything like it, and I think that makes it so much more exciting," she said. "It's a great challenge to myself."

Magagnoli, a five-year veteran of the police force, is one of 150 officers who are participating in the event, and the only one from Enfield.

"I like the Special Olympics, giving them a chance they may not have to play sports and doing other events," Magagnoli said. "It will help them obtain a lot more money through my supporters than I'm now able to offer them myself."

The Enfield Police Department is active in numerous Special Olympics benefits, including the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Tip-a-Cop and Cop On Top.

To take part in the event, participants must raise a minimum of $1,000. Persons interesting in supporting Magagnoli's efforts can write a tax-deductible check and send it to:

Enfield Police Department
c/o Officer Vanessa Magagnoli
293 Elm St.
Enfield, CT 06082

Donations can also be taken online at: http://soct.convio.net/goto/enfieldpd