Berney parent raises $1500 through firefighter stairclimb event fundraiser

Berney parent raises $1500 through firefighter stairclimb event fundraiser
Berney Elementary parent volunteer Tania Nelson recently participated in the 21st Annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb event at the Columbia Center in Seattle.

Nelson joined more than 1,500 firefighters from over 200 different departments in racing up 69 flights of stairs, or 1,311 steps, in full fire gear to help raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). This was Nelson's second event. She raised $1550 for the cause and made to the top.

"This year the honoree was a little girl who passed away, and it was definitely heartbreaking listening to her mom tell her story," Nelson said. "It always gives me something to think about while climbing those 1,311 stairs. I am planning on doing this event again next year!"

Nelson said there is always a lot of encouragement during the event.

"While in the stairwell you are passing other firefighters and some are passing you, but each time you get by another firefighter there is always a high five, pat on the back or some encouraging words, which is something that keeps you going," Nelson said. "There were about five or six of us together toward the top and when we reached the 69th floor we knew that there was only four floors to go. The firefighter in the front of our little group started yelling -- four more floors guys, we can do this, then three more and on and on until we passed 72 then he said last one, finish strong."