Medina County Tunnel to Towers 5K to celebrate tenth anniversary

Every year, Medina County commemorates the brave actions and sacrifices of first responders on 9/11 with the help of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Originating in New York, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation began in 2002. It was created to honor Stephen Siller, a firefighter who ran all the way from the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the World Trade Center. The day the World Trade Center was attacked, he put on his boots, jacket and helmet and ran toward the fire to help while others were running away. Each year the foundation puts on a 5K run/walk and the money raised goes towards helping the families of fallen first responders and veterans, and Siller's peers will often be wearing their full equipment, while running, just as he did on that day. This year's run, which takes place on Sunday, marks the 10th anniversary of the Tunnel to Towers 5K in Medina County. Since their first Medina run in 2012, the foundation has seen increased participation each year. This year, they hope to break their most recent record of 900 participants, which was set last year. The 5K takes place at the Medina square, where participants will either run or walk, passing many of Medina's notable landmarks, including the 9/11 Memorial and the Medina Fire Station 1, 300 W. Reagan Parkway. Participants will run through the firehouse before looping around and completing the run back to the square. Because of the large participation in helping the families of first responders, they have been able to extend their assistance to veterans as well. In 2011, the organization was able to help a returning soldier, Brendan Marrocco, the first quadruple amputee to survive. He was in need of housing that could support his new physical limitations. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation saw the need and built him his very own "smart home", which would allow Marrocco to live and support himself on his own. Since then, the foundation has been able to help many more veterans and their families. In Medina County alone, they have built five smart homes, and have plans to provide even more as needed. Sign-ups and donations can be found at their website: tunnel2towersmedina.org/. Ryan Halko, Brunswick High School Sophomore, is one of more than 50 student "backpack journalists" (grades six-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program is sponsored by KDK Mitsubishi, Discount Drug Mart, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, Danbury Senior Living, Baskets Galore, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to bcsoh.org/domain/1154 to learn more about the Program, or visit thebeat.viebit.com to view videos produced by the students.