By Laura French
APPLETON, Wis. — Organizers of the eighth annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field in Wisconsin have announced that the event will be held as a virtual fundraiser due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pierce Manufacturing said in a statement on Thursday that this September’s climb, co-sponsored by the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, will not be held on-site, and participants will be encouraged to raise money online in support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
“We are certainly disappointed to cancel this year’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau,” said Pierce President Jim Johnson. “We honor the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, which tirelessly works to support the remembrance of America’s fallen firefighters, assist their families, and reduce firefighter deaths and injuries. For this reason, we encourage all to take part in our virtual fundraising opportunity at any level possible.”
A page has been set up to accept online donations and organizers have set a fundraising goal of $125,000.
The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field has been recognized as the largest event of its kind in the United States, according to Pierce. Last year, nearly 2,200 fire service personnel and supporters participated in the climb, raising a historic $115,000 in honor of the 343 FDNY firefighters who died responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.