Liberty swimmer supports nation’s heroes as advocate for 9/11 foundation

Timothy Grabinski, a junior studying national security and intelligence and a member of the Liberty University men’s swim team and Army ROTC, is serving as a student-athlete advocate for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a national organization that supports veterans, military members, and first responders.

The foundation was named after FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who died during the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. According to the foundation, Siller’s family started it with the mission “to always do good and to support military members, first responder members, and their families in times of tragedy or crisis.” The foundation builds homes for veterans, hosts charity events, assists in paying off mortgages, and provides other essential resources.

Student-athlete advocates are asked to be role models on their campuses and in their communities as they spread awareness of the foundation. Advocates continue the conversation of the events of 9/11 with younger generations who were not alive when the attacks took place.

“Being an advocate for this cause is really important to me because I want people in my age group to know and understand the sacrifice that 9/11 heroes made,” Grabinski said. “I was not alive when the 9/11 attacks occurred, and I want to raise as much awareness as I can so legacies like Siller’s will continue to be heard for generations to come.”

He said he primarily focuses on using social media platforms (@timothy_grabinski) to help raise awareness of the foundation’s cause: “A lot of what I do is social media because I’m trying to reach not just Liberty’s campus but also other places through my stories. I tell my friends, peers, and my coaches (at Liberty) about the foundation, and they also help spread the word about what I am doing.”

A passion for public service runs in Grabinski’s family — his grandfather and great-grandfather started a local fire department in Woodcliff, N.J. He said they instilled in him a great respect for first responders and their families.

“I was very excited when I found out I was selected to be an advocate,” Grabinski said. “It means a lot to be able to spread awareness of first responders, as well as the military, and have a connection to it, too.”

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation hosts multiple events throughout the year to honor the legacies of those who lost their lives in 9/11. Grabinski plans to attend the Tower Climb in New York City in June, where he will join about 1,000 participants — including other student-athlete advocates — in climbing 104 stories of the One World Observatory to symbolize the strength, hope, and resiliency of 9/11 heroes. He will also participate in the foundation’s Run, Walk, Climb event at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, Va., in April.

Grabinski, who plans to pursue a career in military intelligence, said being an advocate for Tunnel to Towers has already been a rewarding experience, and he is excited for future opportunities to spread its mission.

“As a Champion for Christ, it’s an honor to raise awareness of the sacrifice so many paid during 9/11,” he said. “I plan to stay as a part of the advocate program while I am a swimmer and as long as Tunnel to Towers will have me.”