Organizational Questions

How do I know if there is a Tunnel To Towers Run in my community?

Click Here for our map that shows where all the events are registered. If you don’t see your city, and are interested in hosting a run, Click Here and join us.

Can there be more than one Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Run event in a city?

No, we will authorize and recognize only one event in a town, city or if a smaller area a county based on the first application we receive and process.

If there isn’t one, how do I organize a run in my local community?

We ask that you first contact one of the military related charities listed in the introduction of the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Run (Insert Your Town/City) and determine if one of these organizations has an interest in hosting the event. As they will see, they can raise funds for their organization as well as the work that The Foundation does for our neighbors and friends.

Does it cost me any money to register my organization as a host for a local Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Run?

No, application and registration for hosting a local event is free.

When can individuals begin signing up to participate as a runner/walker, volunteer or supporter?

The registration program will begin on the 1st of November, or when your local event is listed as an approved run/walk.

When will registration close for participants?

History says that many of your runners/walkers will wait until the last three weeks or so to sign up, as with the New York City run, the cost for registering later will increase, so encouraging early signup helps not only build momentum, but also allows the tee-shirts to be available on the day of the run.

Financial and Funds Related

Is the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation a tax exempt organizations?

Yes, it is a 501 (c) (3) as determined by the IRS.

Can I go to the Tunnel To Towers Run in New York City on the 30th of September?

Absolutely. Visit www.tunneltotowersrun.org for registration and more information.

Where do the funds go that are raised?

In most cases there is a split between a local charity if one is selected and the Tunnel To Towers Foundation. If there is no local charity then the funds would be used by the Foundation for its charitable work.

Is my personal registration fee to participate in the run/walk tax deductable?

No.

How is a local charity selected?

We require that the charity must be a 501 (c) (3) charity, at least 24 months old,  be registered with the local state Secretary of State as a non-profit organization and have a mission of supporting orphaned children, burn centers, and providing support and assistance to first responder, military and veteran families as its primary mission.

What restrictions are on the funds we raise for our local organization?

There is no restriction on the use of your portion of the funds, other than we ask that it be used to promote support and assistance to those who serve our nation as first responders and our military’s armed forces in a manner prescribed by your by-laws and at risk children.

What are the rules regarding sharing of proceeds among local organizations?

There are none. If the organizing group decides to share their proceeds, that is entirely up to them.

What is the role of the local non-profit?

There is an old saying that “You can’t serve two masters” and this is the case with charitable organizations as well. We recommend you take this step by step approach:


• The focus for the event must be the Stephen Siller story, with the good that it will do both in the community and in the nation
• The Race Director invites the local charity leaders to be part of the effort with specific roles in community and volunteer support, and we understand that there is a fine line that makes it difficult for any charity leader to solicit funds for another charity, even with when some of the proceeds will eventually be being returned later  to their home charity
• We recommend that the Race Director not be an executive with the local charity to guard against a conflict of interest 
• However, if that a choice that has to be made at the local level

If we find a corporate or individual sponsor who wants to sponsor our entire event, is that allowed?

Yes, we will make special arrangements for recognizing that level of support both on your shirt and in our marketing support program.

Vender Related

Do we have to have event insurance?

Yes, we have provided a carrier (Francis L. Dean & Associates, 5744 Boat Club Road, Suite 204, Fort Worth, Texas, 76179) who specialty is this type of event for a very reasonable cost. Click Here to download the form, complete it and fax to (817) 375-0552, with Attention: Tammy Westbrook, T2T.

What if I can get cheaper insurance coverage or my agent says we are covered?

As long as you can provide comparable coverage we are providing through Francis Dean & Associates and can provide statements of issuance documents that will be acceptable. The coverage sheet must be sent to roger@tunneltotowers.org prior to 30 June, 2011.Please refer to the Insurance Coverage minimums on page 44.

Do we have to buy tee-shirts from Tunnel To Towers sources?

In an effort to maintain quality and consistency, along with a competitive price, we do have a vendor that is very competitive, in 2011, the shirts were less than $4 each. However, if you have a local vendor who is willing to provide the shirts at a reduced cost, or even better steeply discounted as a way of supporting the event, we will consider that, please contact us at roger@tunneltotowers.org.

Can we order our own START and FINISH banner for our event?

Yes, we would like that every run/walk will have the same banner as the New York City banner, with the exception of the name of the city and state centered on the banner, but also know that the cost for the first year or so might be prohibitive. We have a vendor in Texas who has quoted us a price of $300 for each that are the duplicate of the NYC banner if you would like to use him, and they already have the artwork you would need.

Marketing and Publicity

Will the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation pay for any marketing costs?

No, but the Foundation will use its marketing network to highlight the Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Run program and will make available individuals for interviews as requested.

How important is the media in this program?

Critical. We recommend that very early in your planning that you reach out to your local TV and Radio stations and provide them with the information packet provided.

What about celebrities being involved with the run/walk?

We will have posted on the coordinating website at too be developed, video and audio public service announcements available that feature recognized celebrities. We recommend that you also use local well known personalities, including TV Anchors, Radio show hosts and community leaders in your campaign.

How will we be assisted with radio interviews regarding the run/walk, The Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation or USA Cares?

Please contact us at local.runs.info@tunneltotowers.org  and we will coordinate representatives to appear on local radio programming. We will also accept invitation to appear on remote TVs shows as requested.

Firefighter Related

We have several fire departments in our area; can more than one firefighter go?

Yes, but we asked that only one firefighter be financed as part of the local run budget. We recommend that other departments be encouraged to hold their own fund raising activities throughout the year to send who they want to send. Our experience from 2011 and the 18 firefighters that came as part of our efforts are all very vocal about returning to their home stations and helping make 2012 even bigger and better.

Who selects the firefighter to represent the town or city?

We suggest that this be a decision made by the Fire Chief, he or she will have rosters and manning responsibilities and also have the best vision who would be a representative of the department.

Does the firefighter have to wear his or her turnout gear to the event in New York?

No, but we strongly encourage those who represent their town or city to do so, in the same manner that Firefighter Stephen Siller did that day, hundreds of New York City Firefighters and firefighters from around the world have worn their gear during the run.

How soon does the selected Firefighter or representative have to register for airline and hotel reservations?

As usual the sooner the better, we learned that when local events choose their firefighter late, the cost for airlines was dramatically higher. We will be providing under a separate plan the lodging and ground transportation in NYC on the 30th. You can expect to allocate about $1,200 for each firefighter that includes airfare, ground transportation, lodging for two nights and race registration.

Can a firefighter bring their spouse?

Yes, they will have to pay for their own expenses.

Can a volunteer firefighter represent an area?

Yes, if that town, city or unincorporated area hosts a Tunnel To Towers Run/Walk.

Do we have to send a firefighter to New York City?

No, if the city or county determines another candidate to represent them, which is their choice or the local hosting organizers may choose to not send a representative, but we hope that is not the case. We will publish a date when the cutoff is for room reservations are needed. One thing we did learn, the local organization must have some type of credit card to make the reservations in advance including airfare. Reimbursement of the firefighter from the local organization is authorized.

Lessons and Notes from 2011

What dates did the events occur in 2011?

The event is organized around the local situation, in 2011, most of the runs ran on Sunday, the 11th of September, one event ran on 17 September, and one on the same day as the New York City event, the 25th of September.

How many local runs were there in 2011?

In spite of floods and a hurricane on the East Coast, there were 30 events across the nation, from Fort Lauderdale to Pearl Harbor.

How many registered with the runs?

We totaled over 12,000 registrations, three had over 1,000 on the first year of the event. If you add the nearly 30,000 in NYC, 42,000 followed a hero’s footsteps in 2011.

How much does it cost to put on an event?

It all depended on how big and extensive the local race directors wanted to make it, we had a major corporate sponsor step up with nearly $20,000 and some runs happened with no local sponsors. Of course the purpose of this event is to recognize the sacrifice of those who serve our community and our nation, but also to provide funds to charitable organizations so they can do their good works.

What were the biggest runs?

The “Big Three” in 2011, were Fort Lauderdale, FL (3,000), Mobile, AL (2,011) and Pearl Harbor, HI (1,100).

How much money was raised in 2011 by the local runs?

Through Active Network Registration, the Foundation received almost $300,000 in registration fees and $10,000 in straight donations during the on-line registration process. We are now receiving funds that are left over from the local accounts before final division of the funds to the local charities.