Portion of World Trade Center Here for 9/11 Climb

(SOME OF THOSE GATHERED FOR LAST YEAR'S 9/11 STAIR CLIMB AT HSHS ST. ANTHONY'S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL)

The connection to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center will have even more meaning for local residents this year.

That's because a portion of the trade center will be in Effingham for the 9/11 stair climb at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital.

Local firefighter and emergency worker Jerrod Estes has announced that a four-foot, 122-pound piece of the Center will be here. Estes said Johnathan Paholke of the Shumway Fire Protection District and the Pana Fire Department worked to provide the portion of the building to Effingham.

Estes, who organized last year's inaugural observance, wrote on his Facebook page: I was speechless when I got the news. So honored to have it at this year's event.

If you'd like additional information about the 9/11 stair climb, which involves climbing the stairways in the hospital to equal the number of stairs navigated on 9/11 by New York City firefighters, contact Estes or Paholke.