Rochester, NY Over the past decade, the view may have changed but the commitment of general contractor TAYLOR – The Builders to the Urban Scouting program has been constant.
As part of the annual 21 Stories for Scouts event back in 2013, then CEO Jim Taylor accepted the initial challenge to defy gravity by rappelling 21 stories, or 309 feet, down the First Federal Plaza in downtown Rochester. With the support of Taylor’s many friends and associates, Jim was able to solitarily raise almost $5,000.
Presently, for its ninth consecutive event, TAYLOR – The Builders participated in the 13th Annual 21 Stories for Scouts on Friday, May 13th now held since 2018 at the historic KODAK Tower. Since the first step over the edge by Jim Taylor, TAYLOR has participated as a full team of six rappelers, featuring nearly 50 eager and sometimes willing employees, vendors, clients, and friends, having raised over $50,000 as a team since their initial involvement, and indirectly almost $1 million through their involvement and representation on the event committee.
This year’s team that Geoff assembled featured two TAYLOR employees, Tony D’Arpino (project executive) and Mauro Caia (senior project manager); two employees from Greater Living Architecture, Jeremy Smith (senior designer) and Rick Neubeck (architectural project manager); and Breanna Shaver, a life scout and senior patrol leader with Seneca Waterways Troop 6125. Pace Electronics are sponsoring Shaver.
One of those participating employees and sometimes the person responsible for “encouraging” those to join TAYLOR over the edge and fundraise on the event’s behalf is their director of marketing and business development, Geoffrey Cook. A five-time rappeler himself, sometimes dressed as his alter-ego Mr. Incredible, Cook is an Eagle Scout (Troop 48 - Greece, NY) whose involvement and support of this one-in-a-kind event was an easy decision.
“Having learned firsthand the skills, values, and friendships that Scouting develops,” said Cook, “I am honored to participate and continuously support an event allowing urban youth in the City of Rochester the opportunity to fully participate and appreciate the same valuable experiences as I.”
“Pace Electronics was so honored to partner with Taylor - The Builders and support a local scout to participate in this year’s annual 21 Stories event,” said Pace Electronics president Dawn Smith. “It is not often you get to experience something so incredible, support a local cause, and empower young ladies that anything is possible if you simply put your mind to it.”
Feel the thrill of adventure like a Scout and take a step over the edge of Kodak World Headquarters in Rochester. Visit www.21storiesforscouts.org to support this and future events. Through the huge “step” you are taking to rappel, you will have a significant impact on outreach programs for youth in underserved, typically urban, neighborhoods in our community giving those youth opportunities to participate in Scouting’s character and leadership development programs...and most of all fun and engaging activities that help them thrive! Over its 12-year history, more than $1.1 million has been invested in Urban Scouting programs.
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