I broke the news to my parents last night that their youngest child and only daughter will be jumping from an airplane in T-minus 22 days.

I know what you’re thinking: why didn’t they see it on her website? That’s easy: they still have dial up! Sigh …

So anyway, I have to admit that even though I’m an adult with a son who will turn 20 in four months, I still don’t like telling my parents something I figure they wouldn’t be happy about. I mean, they aren’t spring chickens anymore so I try not to make any sudden moves.

We sat down to dinner and I tried to come up with a clever way to make the big reveal. Unfortunately, I could find none and I found myself just blurting it out: “So, I guess I’m going to be going skydiving.” And quickly added, “But it’s only for charity!” Combined Community Services Food Pantry, to be exact.

My dad’s eyes got wide and he flashed a surprised grin. My mom said, “Oh my! Not by yourself I hope!” And then, much to my surprise she added, “I wanted to do that but your dad said no.”

Whaaaa???

My brother, Sgt. Major Scott Lesch, is a career Army man and actually first enlisted in 82nd Airborne. Fortunately for me, he made jumping from airplanes seem less stupid in my family; well, at least to my parents. Me? I’m not yet convinced it’s such a great idea.

But alas, the decision has been made and, on Oct. 27, I will make the “death drop” as one of my co-workers so eloquently called it.

My goal is to raise as much money as possible in just 22 days for the Combined Community Services Food Pantry and I’m pleading with our readers to help make this worth my while. Frankly, I’m not even quite sure whomever I’m strapped to for the tandem jump will be able to get me out the plane’s door.

It’s all for charity, it’s all for charity … I will repeat it often over the next 3 weeks.

The CCS Food Pantry fund is empty! Food donations are greatly appreciated, but your monetary donations allow CCS to buy food from the Food Bank of Northern Indiana at a fraction of the cost regular grocery stores cost. Simply put: your money goes a lot farther to feed the hungry in Kosciusko County.

Our local unemployment rate is hovering at 7.3 percent, but that only accounts for the out of work individuals whose benefits have run out. In reality, there are many more struggling individuals and families than the charts account for.

Please support this charitable event by donating to CCS. You can click on the link found at the top of any page on StaceyPageOnline.com and make your tax deductible donation. Funds are immediately deposited directly to the CCS Food Pantry account so that they can stock the shelves.

You can also come see me and CCS representatives at First Friday tonight where we’ll be giving out a special Stacey Page Online keychain for your minimum donation $10.

We’ll also be handing out fliers from Skydive Great Lakes that will offer special pricing for anyone wanting to join me in skydiving on Saturday, Oct. 27. A portion of the fee will also be donated to the CCS Food Pantry.

Don’t want to jump but want to watch? That’s acceptable too. The event will be at the Goshen Airport where there will also be a chili cook-off and some grilling take place to help everyone stay warm and enjoy the spirit of the event.