FRISCO, Texas (September 9, 2007) - The 343 Memorial Climb was held at Pizza Hut Park for the second straight year on Sunday afternoon. Hosted by the Fallen Heroes Family Support Fund in conjunction with the FC Dallas Foundation, the focus of the event was to raise funds for the families of fire fighters in the state of Texas who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. In total, Sunday's event raised $4,081 making it the most successful 343 Memorial Climb held in the event's four-year history.
The day was highlighted by a firefighter relay climb competition, in which sixteen teams of four firefighters each participated for first and second place trophies. The Carrollton Fire Department entered two teams with one of them taking first place honors. The lone Murphy Fire Department team finished the competition in second place. Other participating fire departments included four teams from Grapevine; two teams each from Flower Mound, Prosper, Coppell and Little Elm; and one team from Mesquite.
The event's main fundraising element consisted of a stair climb open to people of all ages and abilities who provided a donation. The participating climbers followed a marked path up and down the Pizza Hut Park stadium steps, which on average took about 30 minutes for each person to complete.
The first and second place firefighter teams along with the top money raiser will be honored on the Pizza Hut Park stadium field before the FC Dallas vs. Chicago Fire game on September 20. Funds raised from this year's event will support the efforts of the Fleetwood Memorial Foundation and the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters.
ABOUT THE FC DALLAS FOUNDATION
The FC Dallas Foundation is the charitable arm of FC Dallas and Pizza Hut Park. The foundation strives to serve the DFW Metroplex through the creation and support of programs, events and organizations that benefit the overall good of our community, and positively advance the lives of disadvantaged youth through the sport of soccer.
ABOUT THE 343 MEMORIAL CLIMB
The 343 Memorial Climb is a fundraising organization benefiting the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters Scholarship Fund and the Fleetwood Memorial Foundation which supports the families of firemen that have been killed or injured in the line of duty.
