At the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, we are constantly meeting wonderful people throughout the country through our various efforts to support first responders and military heroes. While many of those we meet are supporting our Building for America’s Bravest program, we’d be remiss if we didn’t give some props to those who share our mantra to “never forget by doing good” through participation in our Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk Series or Tower Climbs.
In May 2015, the Foundation hosted our first Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb honoring FDNY Captain Billy Burke at One World Trade Center. Among the 1,000 participants were Suzanne Bergen and Joe LaPiana of Charlotte, North Carolina. Suzanne is a major player in the athletic world – both with yoga and stair climbing. She is currently ranked among the top 15 female tower climbers in the country (second in her age group). Way to go, Suzanne!
Suzanne and Joe were so motivated by their experience at the New York City Tower Climb, they decided to bring the event to Charlotte! It’s our pleasure to introduce Suzanne and Joe, the volunteer directors of the inaugural Charlotte Tower Climb! The event will take place on Saturday, April 30th at Duke Energy Center. The Foundation is going to great lengths to expand the number of 5K and tower climb events in 2016 and in the future, and this climb marks the first event under the guidance of T2T team members, Liz Curtis and Victoria Cumberbatch.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation continues to grow because of people like Suzanne and Joe. Of course it’s heartwarming to see and feel the difference we’re making in the lives of the people we help through our programs, but it’s equally as gratifying to see the impact the Foundation has on those who support our mission through participation or volunteerism!
We continue to share Stephen’s story and carry out our mission of “never forgetting by doing good” by adding to the Tunnel to Towers team around the country. Each participant at the Charlotte Tower Climb will be apprised of Stephen’s story and will learn all about the good that Tunnel to Towers does in his honor and memory. In addition, these participants will have the opportunity to seek donations to help with their fundraising goals – again spreading the word to those who might not be aware of Tunnel to Towers. The more individuals who are touched by our mission, the more we will be able to “do good” for our first responders and military heroes.
We cannot thank Suzanne and Joe enough for taking their passion as supporters of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and turning it into the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb in Charlotte. It’s people like them who have helped the Foundation get to where we are today and help us to continue to grow in the future. We know how much work it takes to put on a successful event and appreciate the hard work and dedication. We welcome Suzanne and Joe into the Tunnel to Towers family and look forward to many great years of working together to “never forget by doing good.”
The Charlotte Tower Climb will begin at 8:00 AM. To learn more about the event or to register, please visit www.t2tclimb.org. Hope to see you there!
“Let Us Do Good”