Billboard Rescue sends 31 teams into the sky

People were reaching great heights Thursday in an effort to raise money for the United Way.

The 18th annual United Way Great Billboard Rescue lifted 31 teams high into the air in scissors lifts as the teams tried to raise $100,000 for the organization.

Teams spent 30 minutes in the air as they called friends, family and everyone in between to support the United Way’s 28 agencies and 69 programs.

Special events co-ordinator Kerri Reid said every team had a specific fundraising goal for the event, which has raised more than $1 million in its 17 years.

"We just ask them to get as much as they can," Reid. "They’re just going up there to do the best that they can."

Reid said almost all of the teams were returning from previous years.

Because of the nice weather, something Reid said the event hasn’t had in 14 years, the United Way is hoping to get even more teams out next year.