Fort Worth is once again gearing up for the Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Fort Worth 5K Run & Walk, an event that not only pays homage to a local hero but also ties into a nationwide movement to support some of the most selfless among us—the military and first responders. Set in the historic backdrop of the Fort Worth Stockyards, the race will kick off with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and the 5K itself will start at 8:45 a.m. This local edition was born of a tragic loss, when Fort Worth Police Officer Garett Hull was killed in the line of duty in September 2018, and his family’s mortgage was paid off by the foundation.
In explaining the genesis of the Fort Worth Run & Walk, Fort Worth City News notes that since 2019, the event here has become a fixture, joining over 70 others across the nation that honor the sacrifices made by our uniformed services every day. The T2T initiative started in memory of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who, laden with gear, ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, but tragically lost his life in service to others. His memory and those of many others propel participants forward, striding through the streets they protect.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation doesn't just stop at yearly events; its commitment to the nation's heroes is unwavering and multifaceted. T2T's charitable programs have wide-reaching impacts, from the Smart Home Program that has helped 16 Texas military servicemembers live more independently in mortgage-free smart homes to the Fallen First Responder Home Program, which has provided payoffs for 31 Texas first responder families. The T2T Foundation is seriously invested in giving back.
Expanding its care even further, the Gold Star Family Home Program adds another dimension by building mortgage-free homes for families of Texas servicemembers who have been killed in combat, benefiting 22 such families to date. Additionally, they are taking on the challenge of homelessness among veterans, a task as critical as it is substantial, ensuring no veteran is without shelter in the country they served. T2T has extended housing assistance to more than 10,000 veterans, a figure that speaks to both the scale of the need and T2T's commitment to address it.
