CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Hundreds of people laced up their sneakers and headed to Uptown Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium for the Tunnel to Towers Climb on Sunday.

Foundation leaders say the money raised supports the nation’s fallen and injured first responders, military heroes and their families.

In the sea of hundreds of participants was Chera Pardue, one of the top individual fundraisers for the climb.

She remembers April 29, 2024, when four law enforcement officers were killed while serving a warrant.

As a certified paralegal for Jetton and Meredith attorneys, her office in Uptown Charlotte is close to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department headquarters.

“It was very heartfelt, I recall me and my girlfriend Sarah walking down to take a look, and it's kind of a surreal thing to see so many people hurting," she said.

She remembers the memorials and processions for the officers a year ago and was happy to see the widows of two of the officers addressing Sunday’s crowd before the fundraising climb.

"Remember that you loved them, long before you lost them,” said Ashley Eyer, the widow of CMPD officer Joshua Eyer. “Do not silently suffer in the name of bravery.”

“Do not stifle your emotions because there is a good reason for them,” she said. “In fact, there are four good reasons. Though it is against our nature, sometimes all you can do is sit in the pain and let it wash over you. But please, do me a favor, and sit together.”

Kelly Weeks, the widow of Deputy U.S. Marshal Thomas Weeks, also addressed the crowd.

"All Tommy cared about was taking care of his family, and Tunnel to Towers eased his worry and let him have peace to know, we were going to be OK,” Weeks said.

Pardue was touched by their words.

"Their family members gave the ultimate sacrifice. I mean we're here today, getting ready to give back to them, but they've given us everything,” she said.

Pardue raised more than $2,000 for the event. From polar plunges to Salvation Army bell ringing, raising money for charity has been a family affair.

"I grew up in a household where you always wanted to do some givebacks,” she said.

With her earbud in and some music for motivation, Pardue ran up and down the steps, an estimated 1,400. Ten minutes later, she ran out of the finish line tunnel at the stadium and said she was thinking about the four officers killed on the job a year ago and other first responders still serving.

"They're the first there,” she said. “Obviously, you can call your family, but a lot of times, the people you call first is going to be 911 and your firefighters.”

“They put their lives on the line every day from a general traffic stop to a house burning down to everything far and in between, and every day that you're here, it's because of those guys,” Pardue said.

She said sometimes she buys a first responder coffee or a soda or gives them acknowledgment, letting them know they're appreciated.

"A simple thank you goes a long way, maybe even offer a hug, but they're there for you regardless of your thank you’s,” she said. “So them knowing that people recognize the work that they do, I think it means a lot."

The Tunnel to Towers foundation event raised more than $136,000.

Nationally, organizers said since the event started after Sept. 11, 2001, they've been able to give 1,500 mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and injured veterans and first responders.