On Saturday, Oct. 27, I will jump from a perfectly good airplane to raise money for the Combined Community Services Food Pantry. Why am I doing this? I blame Jason Branham and Chris Rager – and because the CCS Food Pantry is in need of food.

While I’m sure Jason and Chris were just trying to use their friendship with me to get themselves some publicity, their offer – or dare, as it may be – was to have me join them in a sky dive venture simply for a great story.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a huge fan of heights and I’m certainly not one to think that jumping from an airplane at 13,000 feet is the best idea. But, if you know me, you know I’m also the kind of gal to try just about anything – once!

So there it was, a challenge on the table: Accompany Jason and Chris and document the jump.

“I’ll do it when we can raise a LOT of money for a good charity,” I said, chuckling to myself that it would never happen.

And that is when my “amazing” boss offered the first donation and my co-workers chimed in as to how much fun “they” are going to have with this thing!

And there it was, reality in the works.

So here I sit, sweaty palms and heart racing just thinking of the feat that lies ahead. The feat: me, plummeting to Earth at a speed of approximately 120 mph with a strange man strapped to my back and prayers that a large piece of nylon will explode from a pack and allow me to … live.

But I must remind myself that this daring sky dive is all for a good cause: to help the many struggling families and individuals in Kosciusko County by making sure the CCS Food Pantry is stocked for the winter.

I have formed a partnership with Skydive Great Lakes that operates from the Goshen Airport. The owners have agreed to cover the cost of my plummet and have even agreed to offer special pricing that day for anyone else who wants to join in this stunt.

A portion of the fees Skydive Great Lakes collects that day will also be donated to CCS.

On Friday, CCS and I will be at First Friday collecting donations and taking names of anyone who wants to jump from a perfectly good plane with me on Oct. 27. I’ve heard there is safety in numbers, so PLEASE join me!

We’ll have some souvenir items for anyone who donates at least $10 to the Stacey Page Online Jump for Charity.

To donate online, click the link at the top of any page. All donations go directly to the CCS Food Pantry.

To inquire about skydiving during our charity event on Oct. 27, contact Skydive Great Lakes online or call them at 574-975-7770.