🧑🚒 Local nonprofit 850 Heroes 4 Heroes will host the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Sept. 6 in Panama City Beach.
🏢 Participants climb 2,071 steps—symbolizing the 110 stories of the World Trade Center—to honor first responders who died on Sept. 11, 2001.
💵 Proceeds from the $45 registration benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, with space for up to 500 participants.
850 Heroes 4 Heroes will host its second annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Edgewater Beach Resort in Panama City Beach on Saturday, Sept. 6, with registration at 8 a.m., an opening ceremony at 9 a.m., and the climb to follow.
The event invites first responders and residents from Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay counties to climb 2,071 steps—symbolizing the 110 floors of the World Trade Center—in remembrance of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. Organizers say participation is open to all, including spectators and volunteers, and proceeds benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Registration is $45 and available online at 850h4h.com; the event is capped at 500 participants. Abel Albritton, a Bay County firefighter and president of 850 Heroes 4 Heroes, said the goal is broad community involvement in honoring the fallen.
850 Heroes 4 Heroes is a local non-profit that not only encourages the First Responders and Citizens of Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties to take part in the vital work of remembering our Nation’s Fallen Heroes, but also encourages local citizens to take part in a climb in remembrance of those heroes. The result is “doing good” for families of men and women who have died in the line of duty. 850 Heroes 4 Heroes will host its second annual 911 Memorial Stair Climb on Saturday, September 6. Everyone is encouraged to participate in Panama City Beach at the Edgewater Beach Resort Tower, located at 111483 Front Beach Rd.
The President of 850 Heroes 4 Heroes, Abel Albritton, met with Mid Bay News this week to express the importance of (entire) community involvement. Albritton shared that many people he has spoken to feel that they must be in excellent physical shape to participate. He added, “That is not the case at all! Some people want to support the event and may not be physically able to climb the 2071 steps (commemorating the 110 Stories of the World Trade Center). Some folks want to come out, take a seat, and listen to the guest speaker while witnessing the people who will make a portion of the climb. Seeing the climbing participants (and sponsoring Heroes 4 Heroes) or just being present makes the journey and the memorial of 9-11 all the more special.”
Albritton, who is a Freeport resident, is also a firefighter in Bay County at the Springfield Fire Department. He is passionate about the work of this local non-profit organization. When asked where the funds from the 911 Memorial Stair Climb go, Albritton said, “All proceeds raised go to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation. The work of the foundation honors those men and women who have fallen in the line of duty.” Registration for the event, to be held Saturday, September 6, may be completed online at www.850h4h.com. Each registrant will receive a t-shirt commemorating this year’s climb.
Registration for the event is $45, and Albritton expressed great appreciation to those who pre-register for climbing, serving as a volunteer, or coming out to be a spectator and supporter of the event. Registration will be available on the day of the event, beginning at 8:00 a.m. The Opening Ceremony (with speaker) will start at 9:00 a.m. The actual climb will commence soon after. Albritton encouraged communities from Okaloosa and Walton Counties to join the 911 Memorial Stair Climb, a regional fundraiser supporting the National Fallen Firefighters Association.
Mid Bay News asked Mr. Albritton about his motivation for leading this non-profit organization, and he said, “I became a firefighter five and a half years ago. In a lot of situations, firefighters are underfunded and sadly, under-appreciated, especially in the area of mental health. Difficult experiences and calls in the line of duty can change [impact] the way a firefighter thinks, and that can have a big impact on the mental health of these critically needed first responders.” In the future, Mr. Albritton hopes to see greater care and focus extended locally for our own first responders.
We, at Mid Bay News, also asked the President of 850 Heroes 4 Heroes to tell us a story that was significant to him at the inaugural climb in 2024. He said, “Last year, as we were hosting the event, we had such a good turnout. Our keynote speaker for the climb was John Truvia, a police officer in New York City on 9/11. Mr. Truvia was on a ferry when the first plane hit the towers. We were so moved by his remembrance and his ability to share his first-hand perspective of what it was like on that day. After his talk, he came to the registration table, where registrants are given a badge with the name of one of the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. This badge symbolizes giving honor to the fallen and allows participants to ‘carry out the mission’ set out for each hero on that terrible day. Truvia requested a name, and thankfully, that name was still available. Truvia said, “May I have that badge? He was a friend of mine.” The answer was, “Absolutely!” Albritton concluded by saying, “His friend died that day. I saw people cry that day that I never thought I’d ever see cry.”
850 Heroes 4 Heroes is an opportunity to continue to support firefighters who die in the line of duty. Registration is required, and there is a maximum of 500 participants for the event. Abel Albritton indicated that there are several participation slots available. He also mentioned the need for volunteers to provide water to climbers. Albritton said the climb consists of 10 stories up and then returning down for 11 total climbs at the Edgewater Beach Resort Tower. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend on September 6.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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