Tunnel to Towers Delmarva events slated this September

Tunnel to Towers Delmarva will hold two fundraising events in September in honor of fallen Delaware State Police Cpl. Stephen Ballard.

Ballard, 32, was shot and killed on April 26, 2017, when he approached a suspicious vehicle in a Wawa parking lot in Bear. Ballard had served with the Delaware State Police for eight years. He left behind his wife, Louise, and their daughter.

In observance of Independence Day 2021, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it had satisfied the mortgages held on the homes of 19 fallen first responder families, including Ballard. Louise was presented with documents confirming the mortgage held on her home had been completely satisfied in a private ceremony held just prior to Independence Day.

“It is such a tremendous blessing that cannot be put into words. Thank you is not enough. I remember when you said the mortgage would be paid off, all I could do was cry tears of joy and appreciation. This was the first and only place we called home, since we were only married 18 months before [Stephen] was killed. Thank you,” said Louise.

Tunnel to Towers Delmarva will hold the inaugural Let Us Do Good Ball Friday, Sept. 17, at the Fort Miles Museum in Cape Henlopen State Park. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, live music and dancing overlooking the Atlantic Ocean will greet attendees, and a silent auction with items donated from local businesses and supporters will be available. There will also be a presentation honoring military and first responders lost in the line of duty, as well as a special presentation from the Delaware State Police Honor Guard. Ticket sales are limited and are only available online. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to LetUsDoGoodBall2021.eventbrite.com.

The third annual Tunnel to Towers Delmarva 5K Run and Walk will take place Sunday, Sept. 19, also at the Fort Miles Museum. Pre- and post-race ceremonies will be held, with various refreshments available to participants, and race awards will be given to winners in various categories including age groups. The course, which runs through parts of Cape Henlopen State Park, will be 3.43 miles long to honor the 343 firefighters killed on Sept. 11, 2001. For more information and to register for the 5K, go to t2t.org/event/2021-tunnel-to-towers-5k-run-walk-delmarva.

These events benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its mission to support this nation’s veterans, fallen first responders and Gold Star families.

“We are beyond honored to kick off our inaugural Let Us Do Good Ball during the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001,” said Brian Brubaker, volunteer event director, Tunnel to Towers Delmarva. “We are also extremely grateful at the opportunity of honoring the life and legacy of fallen Delaware State Police Cpl. Stephen Ballard, who, like Stephen Siller, bravely and unselfishly dedicated his life to public service and safety. These events help Tunnel to Towers ensure grieving families, including Cpl. Ballard’s, can stay in their home.”