Follow in the Footsteps of a Hero... More Than 20,000 to Participate in Tunnel to Towers Run on September 26, 2010

Follow in the Footsteps of a Hero... More Than 20,000 to Participate in Tunnel to Towers Run on September 26, 2010

9th Annual Charity Event Celebrates Heroes Lost On 9/11

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 26, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., New York City will once again celebrate firefighter Stephen Siller's bravery, and the indomitable will of all the fallen heroes of 9/11, at the ninth annual FDNY Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Run/Walk.

More than 20,000 participants from all parts of the metropolitan area, across the country and from as far away as England and Hawaii are expected to attend the Run/Walk, which retraces the path Siller took from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center on September 11th. The event has raised more than $7 million for military causes, burn victims, Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, orphans, Katrina relief, building homes for heroes and other causes since its inception eight years ago. Those wishing to participate can register online, at http://www.tunneltotowersrun.org/.

Although named for one firefighter, the run is designed to honor the 343 firefighters who lost their lives that day, as well as pay special tribute to all the policemen, EMTs, construction workers and all the special people who perished in their quest to save others. "This event began as a way to honor Stephen and his firefighter brothers," said Frank Siller, one of Stephen's siblings and a coordinator for the run. "Over the years, through an influx of volunteers, donations and interest, it has continued to grow and evolve. It is now, without question, the one annual event that not only celebrates the lives of everyone who was lost that day, but provides a forum for remembrance of the past and a life-affirming event for the future."

A special "Brother for Brother" Firefighter Remembrance Program is undertaken each year by firehouses from all over the country. By competing in the 5K event, these firefighters raise money for the Foundation and for the burn center of their choice. Also, they will stand shoulder to shoulder inside the tunnel next to members of the FDNY holding American flags and banners depicting the portraits of the 343 fallen heroes.

A special addition to this year's events includes a FREE concert by acclaimed country group Montgomery Gentry, as well as appearances by Dennis Miller and John Turturro. The Montgomery Gentry concert will take place directly following the end-of-run award ceremony. During their 11 years of making music together, multi-award winning duo Montgomery Gentry has created a legacy of hit songs, headlined highly successful tours, and earned gold and platinum albums, five #1 singles, eleven Top 5 hits, CMA and ACM awards, and a Grammy nomination. Their success has been achieved with an abiding respect for the people and the genre they represent.

Other event highlights include:

-- The London Bridge, a contingent of 150 firefighters from England, and
members of the U.S. military (including the Wounded Warriors) will
also be on hand to honor the fallen
-- Former NY Mayor, Rudy Giuliani, will attend and speak at the closing
ceremonies
-- More than 30 food vendors will donate to run participants following
the event
-- The run will culminate in a carnival like celebration, including
musical acts, free refreshments, performance artists, and activities
for kids and more.

The Tunnel to Towers Run is open to the public. Registration/donation is $40 per participant before September 23, and $50 after this date. Online registration closes on September 26. Race day registration will take place at Coffey Park in Red Hook, Brooklyn (between Richards Street and Dwight Street.)

The run starts at 9:30 AM Sharp on the Gowanus approach to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, goes through the Tunnel, north onto West Street, left onto Liberty Street, to Battery Park Esplanade, right (east) on Warren Street, right (south) onto West Street and finishes at West & Vesey Streets, across from the World Trade Center. Please note: strollers, bicycles and backpacks are not allowed.

The run and flag presentation are part of a moving day which will raise money for The Stephen Siller, FDNY, "Let Us Do Good" Children's Foundation. The chosen charities include: the Pediatric Unit of the NYC Firefighters Burn Center; Burn Centers from across America; The New York Foundling Hospital; and The Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund for the surviving children of the American military who have perished in Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, the Foundation will give the Wings of a Hero and Legacy Awards to children from the community who have lost one or both parents. In nine years, the run has raised more than $7 million for these charities.

About Stephen Siller...

On the morning of September 11, Stephen was off-duty, having just finished an overnight shift, and was headed back to Staten Island to go home to his wife and five children and then to meet his older brothers for a round of golf. After that, it was anyone's guess how Stephen would spend his day: there would definitely be playtime with his five children, time spent with his wife, work done around the house - perhaps he'd invite some of his neighbors over for a barbecue - all of which was typical for Stephen.

Instead, he picked up the news on his scanner about the attack on the World Trade Center. He immediately turned his vehicle around, and headed towards the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. When he found that traffic was not being permitted to enter the tunnel, he strapped his heavy gear to his back, and sprinted along the catwalk towards Manhattan. At the end of the tunnel, Stephen was picked up by a fire crew, and transported to West Street and Liberty, near Ground Zero. His family believes that he attempted to meet up with Squad Co. 1 and raced into the Towers to do what he did best: save lives and comfort survivors. Neither Stephen nor any of his Squad Co.1 mates survived.

Stephen still lives in the hearts of the Siller family, and for all those whose lives he touched. His is a legacy of bravery, compassion, and good will that the Siller family wants to see live on. "We kept asking ourselves how we could properly memorialize him," said Russell, Stephen's oldest brother. "A dinner or a golf outing?" continued Russell. "Then a friend of Stephen's suggested we hold a run through the Battery Tunnel in his honor, and in memory of all those heroes who displayed such bravery on September 11. Because this idea was a reflection of Stephen's spirit, we knew right away that it was perfect. All the pieces began to fall into place, and we realized what could be a more fitting than a run through the tunnel, the very spot where Stephen embarked on his heroic journey."

The Siller family, including Stephen's wife, Sally, her children, his six siblings and numerous relatives, close friends, and volunteers have dedicated their hearts and souls to the run. "We've been moved by the kindness of friends and by those who have chosen to become part of his story," said Russell. "So many people are helping us along the way, offering us untold amounts of emotional and financial support as we prepare for our ninth annual run."

Source: tunneltotowersrun.org

CONTACT: Liz Feldman, +1-732-387-0515, lfeldman@hillmanpr.com, or Stacey
Rendelman, +1-410-616-8947, srendelman@hillmanpr.com , both for
tunneltotowersrun.org

Web Site: http://www.tunneltotowersrun.org/

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