September 11th Memorial Mountain Hike

This September 11th, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, I will be hiking Monserate Mountain in Fallbrook, CA, with the hopes of raising $2,977 for Tunnels To Towers Foundation in memory of FDNY firefighter Michael J. Elferis.

Monserate Mountain is the same height as the top floor of the World Trade Center towers, with markers along the way indicating WTC floors. I will be hiking this wearing a weighted vest and carrying a 100ft-long firehose, along with my German Sheperd, Harlee, walking with me.

My goal is to raise $1 for each of the 2,977 people who lost their lives that fateful day and to donate the money in memory of Michael J. Elferis. Mikey was a hockey coach in my hometown of College Point in Queens, NY. Mikey and his brother Joey would play hockey at the town's outdoor roller hockey rink with us on weekend nights, drawing teens in the town to play instead of getting in trouble on the streets.

At the age of 27, Michael, a part of FDNY's Engine 22, lost his life in Tower 2 on September 11, 2001.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors the memory Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY), who lost his life while saving others on September 11, 2001. The Foundation continues Stephens legacy by supporting our nation's first responders and military veterans.