On April 25, 2009, thousands of people took part in a Two-Mile High Stand Against Sexual Assault™.   At dozens of drop zones across the country, they took to the sky and jumped. It was all part of Operation Freefall™, the boldest, highest-altitude and most daring event organized to put an end to sexual assault.

Here in the Chippewa Valley, Skydive Wissota teamed up with the Bolton Refuge House and the Family Support Center in this important event.

The Bolton Refuge House has been providing safe, confidential services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault since 1977.

Services include emergency shelter, legal advocacy, transitional housing and childcare. Advocates provide victims with support and empowering information, because we believe that everyone has the right to live in a safe environment. Emergency and supportive services are available 24 hours a day at 1-800-252-4357.

The mission of the Family Support Center is to help women, children, and men end domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and other forms of personal violence through education, prevention and intervention services. Family Support Center works to promote individual and family growth and build healthy relationships. 

The Family Support Center is a non-profit, United Way of Chippewa Falls member, and all of their services are offered free of charge.  There is a 24-hour crisis hotline at 1-800-400-7020.  Contact them at Family Support Center, PO Box 143, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729.  Phone them at 715-723-1138 or 1-800-400-7020.

Jump for the Cause is a team of ALL FEMALE skydivers, as well as male and female camera-flyers, technicians, judges and supporters, who are raising money to help increase awareness for Breast Cancer.  They are also preparing to set a new Women’s World Record in formation skydiving. 

Mary Bauer was a member of the previous “Jump for the Cause 2005 ” World Record.

JFTC is a not-for-profit corporation and all proceeds will be donated to our beneficiary, City of Hope. 

Collegiate Championship - Student skydivers Nich Jarlsberg from UW Stout, Kaleb Lommen from University of Minnesota and Aaron Cederberg from UW Madison.

Team Flew-id
Karl and Merriah Eakins

Team Flew-id made their first jumps together in 1998 and attended their first US Nationals as a freestyle team in 2000. Ten years later, the team is still going strong.

Karl and Merriah met at Skydive Hutchinson, and were soon married at the drop zone. Their mutual passion for vertical flight led them into freestyle, and they have been competing ever since. Their efforts have led to a position on the medal stand every year, including winning the gold medal at the 2005 and 2009 US Nationals. In 2010, they are training and competing in formation skydiving with their new team, Flew-id4.

In addition to their freestyle and FS training, the two have also enjoyed instructing AFF students for the past eight years. Karl also spends much of his time shooting tandem videos, and for the past two years, he has also participated in swoop competitions, including winning the gold in Intermediate Canopy Piloting at the 2007 US Nationals. Meanwhile, Merriah busies herself as a Coach Course Director, and as a regular correspondent for Parachutist magazine. They are proud to call Skydive Wissota home.

Team W 4 Head

For the summer 2009 season a new Wissota Team, W 4 Head, formed and won the AA Divison of the Northern Plains Skydiving League. Members were (from left to right) Dan Kluge, Uriah Giordana, Sean Tallant and Jamie Rogalla. Video was done by Merriah Eakins and Joel Davis. Brian Ploszay was the sub