The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was established shortly after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 in honor of firefighter Stephen Siller, who sacrificed his life to save others in the Twin Towers. The foundation organizes an annual five-kilometer (5K) run. Though it initially began with 50 runners, the event, now in its 20th year, has amassed thousands of participants. The event pays homage to the 343 fallen FDNY firefighters and the thousands of citizens who lost their lives on that day. The run takes place in New York City as well as Columbia, South Carolina. 

Tunnel to Towers raises money to build mortgage-free “smart homes” — houses with voice-activated technology — for amputee veterans of war. The foundation also pays off the mortgages of first responders and military workers. Additionally, if a first responder or military service worker is killed, the foundation pays off the home of his/her family. 

The 5K run takes participants along a path from Brooklyn, through the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, to lower Manhattan, and finishes near the West Side Highway on Vestry Street. Around 30,000 people took part in this year’s run, which was held on Sept. 26. 

NYPD 9/11 first responder Cosmo Lubrano has participated in both the NYC and South Carolina 5K runs. “The unity shown at the run and memorial is reminiscent of how New York was immediately after the tragedy of the twin towers,” Lubrano said. Another participant of the 5K, Anthony Miranti, said, “It was amazing to see how many people went, especially considering the circumstances of the present.” 

Daniel Hennigan is the founder and chairman of the South Carolina 9/11 memorial and the South Carolina Tunnel to Towers 5K. In an interview, Hennigan stated, “The permanent mission is to do good. That is the philosophy of the Tunnel to Towers mission statement. We shall never forget, and let us do good,” Hennigan added. 

Hennigan said that Siller had a unique and inspiring story. “He was 28 years old and was married with five children. He was a firefighter on his way home on September 11, 2001. Regardless, he was determined to help the catastrophe.” Despite the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel being closed, Siller put on his bunker gear, which weighed around 75 pounds, and ran a two-mile trek through the Battery Tunnel. “Stephen then entered Tower One and never came out,” Hennigan said.” 

Hennigan concluded, “We will never forget, and we will never stop supporting this cause. We are expecting to see thousands more at next year’s run!”