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Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb New York City

Sun June 1, 2025 New York, NY 10007 US Directions
Team Fundraiser
Current Team Members:
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$5,467

Raised of $5,500

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$5,500

Story

About Team Orio
On September 11th, FDNY Battalion Chief Orio Palmer of Battalion 7 used his prior experience as an elevator technician to help operate a freight elevator in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, allowing him and the firemen of Ladder 15 to reach the 40th floor and take injured, evacuating civilians back down. From there, he raced up the stairwell 37 stories on foot, reaching the impact zone where United Airlines 175 had struck the building on the 78th floor. 

Orio and the members of Ladder 15 transmitted radio messages describing the conditions and coordinated efforts to rescue civilians and fight the fire—actions that would prove to be among their last.

These radio transmissions, declassified in 2005, revealed the remarkable composure and heroism of Palmer and his team in the final minutes before the South Tower collapsed.

Since then, Orio’s bravery has been honored as an extraordinary example of courage and selflessness. His story has been featured in several documentaries, including 9/11 Phone Calls from the Towers.

Team Orio is climbing to honor that final journey—symbolizing the ascent that Orio and so many members of the FDNY made on that tragic day.

About the Event

Since 2015, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has held the Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb NYC at One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York City. One thousand participants climb 104 stories, symbolizing strength, hope, and the resiliency of the American spirit.

 

The event celebrates the life and sacrifice of all 9/11 heroes, including FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and FDNY Captain Billy Burke.


On September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller, a FDNY firefighter assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers. He suddenly got word over his scanner that an airplane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers. There, he gave up his life while saving others.

 

Captain William F. Burke, Jr. and his men were on the 27th floor of the North Tower when the South Tower collapsed. Billy immediately alerted the Captain of Ladder Co. 6 and the Officer of Ladder Co. 24, his original company, of the collapse. They, along with their men, immediately evacuated, along with a number of civilians they were assisting, all surviving. Minutes later the North Tower collapsed and Billy perished along with the other innocents on September 11, 2001. He selflessly repeated, “Keep going, I’m right behind you,” to keep his men moving to safety.

 

The view from One World Observatory at the top of One World Trade Center is spectacular. After making the emotional climb, participants explore expansive, panoramic views in every direction from a unique perspective. One of the major highlights, of course, is viewing the two reflecting pools that mark the footprints of where the Twin Towers once stood.

Top Donors

$5,467 Raised By 62 Donors

$500 on behalf of Barbara and Billy Hayes
$200 on behalf of Alyssa Palmer
$200 on behalf of James McGovern
$150 on behalf of James Fedigan
$150 on behalf of Matt and Julie costanzo
$143 on behalf of ROGER & MARY PALMER-MURPHY
$109 on behalf of MARY PALMER-MURPHY
$100 on behalf of Allyson Chase
$100 on behalf of Amy Gardner
$100 on behalf of Austin Jones
$100 on behalf of Chelsea Starna-Mangual
$100 on behalf of Danielle DiMarino
$100 on behalf of David Finn
$100 on behalf of Diane Dalessandro
$100 on behalf of Erica Murphy
$100 on behalf of Jennifer Haddow
$100 on behalf of Jimmy Trione
$100 on behalf of Keithe Bennett
$100 on behalf of Laura McCaffrey
$100 on behalf of Laura Screnci
$100 on behalf of Lauren Futterman
$100 on behalf of Mary Levy
$100 on behalf of Matthew Hayes
$100 on behalf of Mike Palmer
$100 on behalf of Miso Portillo
$100 on behalf of Shawn Runfola
$100 on behalf of Stephen Murphy
$100 on behalf of Suzanne Palmer
$100 on behalf of Tara Kelly
$100 on behalf of The McAteers
$100 on behalf of The Ryan Family
$100 on behalf of Theresa Giammona
$100 on behalf of Walter McAteer
$100 on behalf of William Hayes
$75 on behalf of Jason Gloye
$50 on behalf of Ally Cropsey
$50 on behalf of Ashley Starna
$50 on behalf of Casey Runfola
$50 on behalf of Chantal Murray
$50 on behalf of Chris Murphy
$50 on behalf of Jacquelyn Sullivan
$50 on behalf of Joseph Runfola
$50 on behalf of Karen Redmond
$50 on behalf of Kate Germano
$50 on behalf of Katherine Unknown
$50 on behalf of Keith Palmer
$50 on behalf of Leah Brown
$50 on behalf of Lou Spadaro
$50 on behalf of Lynn Matarazzo
$50 on behalf of Nick Mancini
$50 on behalf of Pam Fedigan
$50 on behalf of Robert Doyle
$50 on behalf of Stephanie Riccio
$50 on behalf of Tessa Doyle
$50 on behalf of Tommy Schehr
$50 on behalf of Vic Chatfield
$50 on behalf of Virginia DeQuatro
$40 on behalf of Michelle Bardin
$30 on behalf of Carly Reardon
$30 on behalf of Cayla Jordan
$20 on behalf of Barbara Peterson
$20 on behalf of Danielle Godley

Team Orio Team Members

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