More than 25,000 people came together on Sunday, September 25 for the 15th Annual Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk in NYC. This event was created in honor of the brave firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11 and is hosted by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded by the Siller family in memory of their brother Stephen, a New York firefighter who lost his life while responding to the attacks on the World Trade Center.
On the morning of September 11, Stephen had just finished a shift and was heading to meet his brothers for a round of golf when news of the attacks came across his car scanner. He called his wife and immediately turned his truck around to join his squad. When traffic blocked the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Stephen strapped on 60 pounds of gear and ran through the tunnel leading to the World Trade Center. He and his squad sacrificed their lives to save the lives of others.
The Siller Family turned this tragedy into something positive by forming the Foundation which helps veterans and first responders. The Home Depot Foundation is a partner of its Building for America’s Bravest program that provides specially-adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans.
The Home Depot Foundation was proud to be the presenting sponsor for the run & walk’s 15th anniversary where participants retraced Stephen’s journey through the tunnel to One World Trade Center. More than 100 associates from The Home Depot volunteered at the event, setting up flags and cheering on participants.
Giles Bowman, Chairman of the Board for The Home Depot Foundation, kicked off the day and shared remarks at the finish line commemorating the lives of Stephen and his fellow firefighters who sacrificed their lives 15 years ago.
Listen here to hear more of Stephen’s story as told by his family.
