Grand Rapids (WZZM) - Hundreds of rescue crews risked their lives to save people trapped in the twin towers after the attacks.
More than 300 firefighters and emergency responders died.
In West Michigan, a high school senior and volunteer firefighter wanted to honor that sacrifice.
He and a friend organized the first 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
"Climbing 24 floors is nothing compared to what they did, but it's almost like they are there in spirit and we're just climbing for them," said Zach Schleiffer, one of the organizers. "It's our way of paying some respect to them."
Each climber was given a lanyard with the picture and name of a fallen public servant from that day ten years ago.
"I think that carrying these names is really going to make everybody realize what that person went through," said Lance Korhorn, an organizer of the stair climb. "Our hope is that all of the police officers, firefighters and civilians carry these cards with them and remember what the sacrifice and pain these other people went through that day."
Money raised from registration for the event benefits the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
You can make donations online by clicking here.