Gloucester Police Chief Leonard Campanello's offer to be "tossed" over the side of a Boston building Saturday proved to be a good thing -- for the Massachusetts Special Olympics.
Campanello rappelled down the side of the 23-story Hyatt Regency Hotel Saturday as part of the Special Olympics' "toss your boss" fundraiser, and the stunt enabled the Gloucester Police Department to raise more than $3,770 for the Olympics' effort in serving athletes with special needs.
Campanello extended thanks to all of those who contributed to the fund-raising effort, especially citing the top three contributors -- Gorton's of Gloucester, the St. Peter's Club, and residents Peter and Kathy Coakley.
"Scaling down a 23 story building is not my first choice of a Saturday activity," Campanello said in a Monday email to the Times. "But I can tell you that the money raised was well worth it, and the special athletes who were there to cheer you on was a big boost to anyone who was apprehensive.
"There were several chiefs from neighboring communities to make sure I knew how high up I was," he added. "With friends like this supporting you, how could a chief go wrong?"
Copyright 2014 - Gloucester Daily Times, Mass.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
