by SC Features Writer Reanna Haase
Last year John Henshaw and Jeff Muddell crossed the finish line of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Tower Climb hand in hand, after climbing 2,226 steps, or 104 stories, alongside first responders and loved ones of those who have fallen. Now the members of Team Sanibel are gearing up for their second year of training, for the climb on June 1, continuing their mission to support the NYC organization dedicated to honoring heroes around the nation.
“Well it was pretty exhilarating in the sense that there were close to 1,000 people climbing, and most of them were firefighters, policemen, paramedics, military and folks who are supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,” City Council Member Henshaw said. “The camaraderie, in respect to the participants, was great. They were all focused on raising money to support, in most cases, their fellow compatriots.”
Founded by Frank Siller to honor his brother Stephen, a firefighter who gave his life to save others on Sept. 11, 2001, the organization also extends its mission to honor other first responders and soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Henshaw shared that while the organization initially focused on alleviating financial burdens by paying off mortgages for families of fallen first responders, nationwide, it has expanded its mission to support Gold Star families and provide assistance to homeless veterans. The One World Trade Center climb represents one of their key fundraising efforts to continue their critical work.
“It was moving to be around the other participants because you had everything from family members of those who died on 9/11 to family members of recent deaths involving police officers or firefighters,” said Muddell, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company Sanibel President. “And you knew who they were because they’re all wearing shirts commemorating their loved ones.”
Shortly following 9/11, Henshaw was appointed by Former President George W. Bush as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, an experience that would later deeply resonate with the Tunnel to Towers mission.
For 10 months, Henshaw shared that he was heavily involved in the search, rescue and clean-up process, following the nationwide travesty. In this time he met emergency personnel who shared stories of their fellow first responders who were among the over 400 first responders who lost their lives that day.
“I met with many of those people when I was there and spent a lot of time there over 10 months during the search and rescue and clean up and recovery. So I have a soft spot in my heart for those involved in 9/11.” Henshaw said. “The foundation was created by a brother of one of the fallen firefighters and it’s a very worthwhile charity.”
Muddell, the other member of Team Sanibel, was introduced to the annual tower climb by Henshaw. Muddell grew up in Clifton, New Jersey, and although he had already moved to Florida by 2001, people from his town had lost their lives as a result of 9/11.
“Our town lost a few people in all that happened that day,” Muddell said. “John’s got this great history, you know, with his experience with it. Last year we went to the museum, which I had not been to since it had opened… Walking around with John, through the streets and through the area and the museum, was impactful. Because while he was just part of the government response, he still has very vivid memories of where he was in the aftermath.”
While exploring the museum’s photographs, Muddell recalls listening to Henshaw’s accounts of the time following the nationwide devastation – Muddell gained a deeper understanding of the events that took place from hearing Henshaw’s stories.
Last year, Muddell and Henshaw crossed the finish line hand in hand, completing the 104-story climb in about 30 minutes, earning Henshaw the title of first place in his age group. Muddell shared that leading up to the climb, they both trained to prepare for the rigorous task.
“I remember last year that the climb wasn’t as hard as I thought,” Muddell said. “But again, I was walking it in shorts and a t-shirt, right? You know, part of the experience is to understand, to put yourself in the shoes of the firefighters that were running up on 9/11… So that puts it into perspective of what they went through, what those first responders go through.”
After the climb, which begins at 5 a.m., the attendees have the opportunity to gather at a nearby pub, popular among emergency personnel, to celebrate their accomplishments and share stories.
“Then a local pub, where locals hang out, firefighters and police officers, invites people in at six to have breakfast,” Henshaw said. “It’s a bunch of war stories and it’s a bunch of men and women who have dedicated their lives really just to provide a service to us. So, that is pretty exhilarating.”
Last year, Team Sanibel raised about $25,000 to donate directly to Tunnel to Towers and its mission, Henshaw said. So far, this year, the team has raised $3,450 out of their total goal of
$10,000 to go toward the NYC organization. Those interested in donating can do so by clicking the link here or going directly to https://runsignup.com/teamsanibel2025.
Both Henshaw and Muddell shared that in upcoming years they would like to bring a larger Team Sanibel to the annual climb, though the registration list fills up fast, for the popular fundraising opportunity.
“Our goal is to get some more local folks,” Muddell said. “We’d love to bring a whole team, a real team Sanibel.”