After months of buildup, The Salvation Army’s Down for the Challenge rappelling event took place Sept. 18 at Mall of America, where about 200 people descended the JW Marriott hotel to fight homelessness.

Women and men of all ages and backgrounds took the plunge. Most were nervous as they stood on the edge of the hotel roof, staring wide-eyed at the pavement 14 stories below.

Down for the Challenge raised tens of thousands of dollars for Salvation Army housing and homelessness-prevention programs in the Twin Cities.

The Salvation Army operates 25 Minnesota housing facilities that shelter hundreds of people every night, with rent assistance programs that last year saved 2,400 local households from eviction.