Firefighters and supporters take part in a Neighbors United #WalkForTheRed140 event in Texas in March 2022. The Michigan event will begin on Sept. 8 at Macomb Township Fire Department Station 2.
By: Dean Vaglia | C&G Newspapers | Published September 1, 2022
MACOMB COUNTY — As September rolls around, runners in Macomb County are gearing up for two events aimed at raising money for first responders, military personnel and their families on the anniversary of 9/11.
Taking place on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Lake St. Clair Metropark, the Tunnels to Towers 5K Run/Walk will see participants race around the park to benefit the families of deceased military personnel and first responders.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was set up by the family of late NYFD firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller, who died when the south tower of the World Trade Center collapsed in 2001.
“(Siller) was stationed in Brooklyn, and he had just ended his shift,” Bob Kalfaian, event director for the Metro Detroit Tunnel to Towers 5K, said. “When the towers were hit, he decided to get over to Manhattan to help out. And when he got to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to get into lower Manhattan, he was trapped — it was all blocked. So he strapped on his gear and ran through the tunnel and got to the trade center.”
The Staten Island-based foundation helps the families of deceased military personnel and first responders by paying off their home mortgages. Recently, the organization has expanded into providing “Smart Homes” with accommodations for wounded veterans and first responders.
The untimed run and walk will take place at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11. Participants can register at runsignup.com.
In Macomb Township, Neighbors United is continuing its annual tradition of hosting the #WalkForTheRed140 fundraiser from Sept. 8 to 11. Joe Warne, firefighter and founder of Neighbors United, will start at Macomb Township Fire Department Station 2 and end in Ada, Michigan.
Originally planned as a single-year event aimed at raising awareness of cancer as a leading cause of death for firefighters, the 140-mile walk has become a regular event for the organization.
“After year one, we were never supposed to do it again,” Warne said. “And then after we shelled out all the funds for that first year, my captain at Macomb Township was diagnosed with lymphoma about six weeks after retirement. So we decided to do it again, and after that, we decided to keep it going. Every year, it has just gotten bigger and bigger. More people (and) more departments are getting involved, and we’ve learned more as an organization.”
The organization aims to raise $150,000 through the event to help firefighters battling cancer. At least $60,000 has been raised prior to the run’s start. Interested parties can donate at www.wedont judge.org. For those who would like to support on the first day, ceremonies begin at MTFD Station 2 around 7:45 a.m., and the walk begins at 8:30 a.m. along 21 Mile Road. The first day will end in White Lake Township.