Remembering September 11: The impact of Answer the Call and 9/11 philanthropies, nearly 21 years later

Tunnel to Towers CEO Frank Siller sits down with program recipients at New York City’s One World Observatory to reflect on how 9/11 changed their lives forever.

A grieving widow and a New York hockey legend alike are sharing the impacts of a New York City philanthropy that donated tens of millions of dollars toward families reeling from the devastation and tragedy of September 11, 2001. 

On that fateful Tuesday morning nearly 21 years ago, Marcela Leahy, received a voicemail from her husband, New York City police officer James Leahy, telling her he had been working an election day detail nearby and rushed to the Twin Towers after the terrifying events began. 

In a different part of the city, then-New York Rangers hockey captain Mark Messier was prepared for training camp to begin when the news broke. The team had originally been scheduled to be staying at the Marriott at the World Trade Center for training camp that morning before their plans previously changed. A now-famous picture of the hockey center in uniform and wearing the FDNY helmet of fallen Chief Ray Downey became what he told Fox News Digital was "a galvanizing moment."

Two people, living completely different lives, spoke to Fox News Digital about the impact and importance of Answer the Call – an organization originally created to benefit the families of first responders who were killed in the line of duty – and similar philanthropies. 

SISTER OF 9/11 PILOT WHO DIED WHEN HIJACKERS CRASHED PLANE INTO PENTAGON REMEMBERS PATRIOTIC, 'HERO' BROTHER

The annual Tribute in Light appears over lower Manhattan in New York City on September 11, 2017 as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.  (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Answer the Call, formally known as the N.Y.