NEW YORK – Thousands of people, including FOX Weather meteorologist Nick Kosir, have descended upon New York City amid gloomy weather brought on by Post-Tropical Cyclone Ophelia to take part in the Tunnel to Towers 5K, which helps to raise support for fallen heroes and catastrophically injured veterans.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has been raising money in support of its mission since 9/11. They work to provide mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen first responders and military veterans and build specially adapted homes for injured veterans and first responders. They’re also committed to ending veteran homelessness.
FOX WEATHER JOINS TUNNEL TO TOWERS 5K, MATCHES DONATIONS UP TO $250,000
Since its inception, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has raised more than $500 million, with $0.95 of every dollar going toward its programs. As part of the Tunnel to Towers 5K, the foundation is accepting donations to help continue its efforts to support military veterans and first responders.
FOX Weather has committed to matching up to $250,000 of donations through the Tunnel to Towers 5K.
You can donate here and have your donation matched.
Participants of the Tunnel to Towers 5K follow a route from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the former site of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. They are retracing the path taken on Sept. 11, 2001, by firefighter Stephen Siller, who carried 60 pounds of gear from the Tunnel to the Towers to help his fellow first responders.
In doing so, Siller’s bravely gave up his life.
“We’re out here today because of our heroes,” Jen Brekke, a participant and member of the Tunnel to Towers board, said. “I mean, they are protecting our community, our country, and there’s nothing more that we love to do than to support them today.”
But it’s not only 9/11 first responders who benefit from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
“From that tragedy came some incredible people coming together united to do good for our American heroes,” Brekke continued. “Not just to honor those we lost on 9/11, but also to make sure we take care of the heroes today that are continuing to protect our freedom and our safety.”
This is also the first time in 22 years that it has rained on race day.
“It’s the first time me that it has rained, but it hasn’t dampened the spirit at all. I can tell you that,” Brekke said.