Cross Gates stair climbers raise $5,000 for firemen
By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – It may be 22 years since the horrific terrorist attack on the United States that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City, but Slidellians joined others around the country by “never forgetting” what happened that day.
A host of area memorials and special events were held to remember 9/11, including the annual 9/11 Memorial at Heritage Park sponsored by the city, as well as Cross Gates Family Fitness holding a stair climber fundraiser that resulted in a donation from the club of $5,000 to the Slidell Local #2455 Firefighters Association.
Cross Gates owner Larry and Merryanne Welch stepped up big time again by offering a donation of $1 for anyone who used their stair climber exercise machines to take 18 steps for what was considered one floor in the Twin Towers buildings. They offered a maximum of $5,000, which was exceeded thanks to local first responders, as well as many of the Cross Gates members accepting the challenge.
Fire District #1 firefighters were joined by Slidell Police Department officers and others to climb 1,530 flights of stairs. Then Cross Gates members handled the rest to reach the 5,000-floor goal.
The World Trade Center was 110 stories with 1,980 steps to the top, something that was tackled by many firemen and other first responders trying to save what lives they could. However, while many lives were saved by the brave first responders, 343 New York firefighters died that day, along with seven policemen, three EMS officers, and one FBI officer.
A total of over 3,000 people were killed that day at the Twin Towers, and from the other attack on the Pentagon. There are still human remains of over 1,000 people from the Twin Towers who have never been identified.
“We join in this fundraiser not just for the generous donation from Cross Gates, but so people never forget what our first responders do,” said Fire District #1 Chief Chris Kaufmann. “That day changed our lives forever and again reminded us how important our first responders are, and the fact they put their lives on the line every day to protect the rest of us.”
Kaufmann also reminded the public that in a day when there is a strong anti-tax mood in the country, and particularly in St. Tammany Parish, “you will get what you pay for in terms of law enforcement and first responders with the taxes you support. First responders are essentially an insurance policy for everyone, and you must be willing to support some taxes or millages if you want good protection.”
The city held its 9/11 Memorial at Heritage Park where a special area is anchored by a fantastic donation a Slidell man sought and eventually received from ground zero in New York City.
Rodney Nunez contacted NYC shortly after the attack and asked if there was any way Slidell could get a piece of metal from the rubble. At first, he was told it was unlikely since any steel given away had to be used for some kind of public or educational purpose.
As the founder for the Krewe of Bilge in Slidell, a non-profit, he used that group as the vehicle to be approved for a 250-pound piece of metal that arrived here on Dec. 1, 2002. Then, the krewe donated the metal to the city.
Councilwoman Kim Harbison headed a committee that came up with a plan about building a memorial at Heritage Park, and the project was finished and dedicated on April 27, 2008, with six NYC firemen attending.
The project took six years to complete, with a tree dedicated at the site as well.