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Prior to serving as the Event Director for the 343 Memorial
Climb, Laura Carman served as a fundraiser for the Multiple
Sclerosis Society and as a manager at the national center of the
American Heart Association. She now volunteers as the on the PTA
board for Garden Ridge Elementary in Lewisville, Texas, where
her son attends school.
Husband Chris, 12-year-old daughter Taylor, and 9-year-old son
Hunter are big supporters of Laura's efforts. Chris has always
encouraged Laura to be herself and dream big. She asserts that
"their belief in me is how this all started."
Just before the September 11th attack on the World Trade
Centers, 5 year old Taylor lost a 6-year-old friend to cancer.
This made her especially aware of the loss a family goes
through. After the attacks Taylor expressed her deep concern to
mom for the children who lost family members, which prompted
Laura to promise she would do something for the people that were
suffering. After a year passed by, Laura began to feel guilty
because she had not done very much to keep that promise.
Then came the first anniversary of the attack on the World Trade
Centers. "That day I saw the pictures we all saw - of firemen
going up the stairs while all the other people ran down. That is
when it hit me." At that moment she made a connection between
the stairs and the firemen. "Someone needs to do a stair climb
event and let the money go to firemen that are injured or killed
in the line of duty!"
Laura was determined not to let another opportunity to help slip
by.
When she discussed the idea with husband Chris, he asked “great,
when are you going to get it started?” After much hard work and
preparation, September 11th 2004 marked the first 343 Memorial
Climb event.
“I am very humbled to be able to help others help the fire
fighters in the community. We are all going to try to honor
everyone’s support and make this year bigger and better with
more money raised. Thank you for your interest and support of
this little idea that started in my living room and has grown to
hopefully help so many. Thank you all for helping me keep my
promise to my daughter. Thank you for helping me help those
families that give of their loved ones so courageously so that
they can go to work to save our lives."
- Laura Carman
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Laura would like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers
that have helped in the creation of this event. Laura said,
“I may be the name you know, but there is no way I could
create such a wonderful event alone.”
I would like to give special thanks to the board members
(listed alphabetically) of the Fallen Heroes Family Support
Fund for their efforts in organizing the 343 Memorial Climb
every year.
Debbie Burns – secretary and treasurer
Gayla Horinek – artistic design
Joe Luccioni – new member
Jeremy Roberts – director, fire fighter affairs
Darlene Smith –public relations
Laura would like to also give special thanks to the
following members of the 343 Memorial Climb planning
committee (listed alphabetically):
Curtis Dunn
Michelle Gullickson
Jen McSweeney
Andrea Myers
Katie Solomon
Mark Watkins
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