For a fifth consecutive year, the Tunnel to Towers Season of Hope is set to fulfill its commitment to DO GOOD and honor the sacrifices of America’s heroes.
This year, the foundation vows to deliver over 40 mortgage-free homes to deserving recipients nationwide by Christmas Eve, bringing the total to over 200 mortgage-free homes for the year.
Thanks to the generous support of Americans across the country this year the Tunnel to Towers Foundation will deliver over 200 mortgage-free homes to families across all of our programs: the Fallen First Responder Home Program; the Smart Home Program; and the Gold Star Family Home Program.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the following heroes and their families with mortgage-free homes this holiday season:
The fifth annual Season of Hope began on November 22nd with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s pledge to pay off the mortgage on the Clarksville, Tennessee home of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Stephen Dwyer. Dwyer died on November 10, 2023 along with four fellow crew members when their Blackhawk helicopter crashed while conducting aerial refueling training over the Mediterranean Sea. He is survived by his wife, Allie, and three boys.
Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller delivered the news to his wife telling her Tunnel to Towers would be paying off the mortgage on their Clarksville home by the end of the year.
“As families eagerly anticipate celebrating the holiday season together, Allie and her boys must navigate a future without their beloved husband and father. I hope the promise that they can remain in the home they once shared will offer them some stability in this uncertain time,” said Siller.
On November 27th, it was announced that the mortgage on the home of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Lieutenant Mario John Moya would be paid off as part of the 2023 Season of Hope.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Lieutenant Mario John Moya passed away on August 17, 2021 due to contracting COVID-19 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Christina, and his children.
On November 28th, it was announced that the mortgage on the home of United States Army Sergeant First Class Shawn Robert Green would be paid off.
United States Army Sergeant First Class Shawn Robert Green died on April 25, 2018 while on a lifesaving mission to rescue a fellow team member in Papua New Guinea. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, and son, Brayden.
On November 29th, it was announced that the family of Toledo Fire Department Firefighter James “Jamie” Allen Dickman would be receiving the gift of a mortgage-free home, as well as United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer John Crabtree, whose specially-adapted smart home was completed in November 2023.
Toledo Fire Department Firefighter James “Jamie” Allen Dickman passed away on January 26, 2014 while responding to an apartment fire. He is survived by his loving wife, Jamie, his children, Paige and Grant, his parents, Greg and Linda, and his sisters, Caitlin and Olivia.
United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer John Crabtree was catastrophically injured in February 2006 while serving in Western Iraq, rendering him visually impaired. Crabtree has been gifted a mortgage-free Smart Home in Winchester, Ohio.
On November 30th, it was announced that the families of Worcester Police Department Patrol Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia, Florida Fish and Wildlife Senior Investigator Kyle Lee Patterson, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Scott Pine would be receiving the gift of mortgage-free homes, as well as United States Army Captain David Neil Christopher, who has received a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home.
Worcester Police Department Patrol Officer Enmanuel “Manny” Familia passed away on June 4, 2021, while attempting to rescue a drowning child. He leaves behind his wife, Jennifer, and his children, Jayla and Jovan.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Senior Investigator Kyle Lee Patterson passed away on June 9th, 2022 due to injuries he sustained in a vehicle collision. He is survived by his wife, Alisha and their two children, Kole and Kinsley.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Scott Pine passed away on February 11, 2014 due to injuries he sustained while responding to a burglary in progress. He is survived by his loving wife, Bridget, his beautiful children, and his parents, Bob and Terry Pine.
United States Army Captain David Neil Christopher was catastrophically injured in a motorcycle accident before he was set to deploy to South Korea, resulting in several serious injuries and paralysis from the waist down. Christopher has been gifted a mortgage-free Smart Home in Odessa, Florida.
On December 4th, it was announced that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has renovated and paid off the mortgages on the homes of three catastrophically injured first responders in the state of Louisiana: Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Edmund Fisher, New Orleans Police Department Police Officer John P. Passaro, and New Orleans Police Officer Andres Gonzalez Jr.
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Edmund Fisher was injured in the line of duty on May 31, 2022, when a teen struck him on an ATV. The injuries to his hip and leg were so severe that he required an amputation. Fisher and his family were welcomed back into their specially-adapted, mortgage-free smart home in November 2023.
While responding to an armed robbery in progress, New Orleans Police Department Police Officer John P. Passaro sustained gunshot wounds resulting in a C-7 spinal cord injury and paralysis. His specially-adapted smart home in Slidell, Louisiana was completed in November 2023.
New Orleans Police Officer Andres Gonzalez Jr. was catastrophically injured when he and his partner were involved in a situation wherein the occupants of a vehicle they had pulled over were in possession of firearms. Gonzalez sustained multiple gunshot wounds from the perpetrator which left him with a C5-6 spinal cord injury, a shattered eye socket, and a shattered upper jaw. His specially-adapted smart home in Metairie, Louisiana was completed in November 2023.
On December 5th, it was announced that the foundation has paid off the mortgage on the home of fallen Howard Lake Fire Chief Daryl “Taddy” Drusch.
Chief Drusch passed away from a job-related heart attack on January 13, 2020, just hours after responding to an emergency call. He is survived by his wife, Julie, and son, Taylor.
On December 6th, the foundation announced that the family of Memphis, Tennessee Police Officer Darrell Adams would be receiving the gift of a mortgage-free home.
Adams tragically lost his life in the line of duty on October 2, 2021, when he was struck and killed while investigating an accident on I-40. He is survived by his wife, Cherrish, who was pregnant at the time of his passing and has since given birth to their daughter.
On December 7th, it was announced that two families would be receiving the gift of a mortgage-free home: that of fallen Border Patrol Agent Freddie Vasquez, and Army Captain Torre Ramoine Mallard Sr.
Border Patrol Agent and K9 Handler Freddie Vasquez lost his life on May 8, 2021 after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Inez, his children, his grandson, who he never had the opportunity to meet, his parents, and his brothers.
Army Captain Torre Ramoine Mallard Sr. sustained fatal injuries on March 10, 2008 when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Balad Ruz, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is survived by his wife, Bonita, and two sons, Torre Jr. and Joshua.
On December 8th, the Foundation announced that it has paid off the mortgage on the home of fallen West Douglas Fire Marshal Stephen Michael Smith.
West Douglas County Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Stephen Michael Smith sadly passed away on April 23, 2022 due to having a medical emergency while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and their two children, Colton and Abigail.
On December 11th, it was announced that the foundation has paid off the mortgages on the homes of London Police Department Police Officer Logan Kendal Medlock and Prestonsburg Police Officer and K9 Handler Jacob Russell Chaffins.
Prestonsburg Police Officer and K9 Handler Jacob Russell Chaffins was fatally shot on July 1, 2022 while attempting to serve warrants for domestic violence offenses. He is survived by his loving wife, Savannah, and his daughter, Paisley.
London Police Department Police Officer Logan Kendal Medlock sustained fatal injuries on October 30, 2022 when his patrol car was struck by an intoxicated driver. He leaves behind his wife, Courtney, and son, Brantley.
On December 12, it was announced that the family of fallen Buffalo Fire Department Firefighter Jason Arno will receive the gift of a mortgage payoff as the 2023 Season of Hope continues.
Buffalo Fire Department Firefighter Jason Arno lost his life on March 1, 2023 while battling a four-alarm fire at a commercial building with his fellow firefighters from Engine Company 2. He is survived by his wife, Sarah-Elizabeth and daughter, Olivia.
On December 14th, the foundation announced the gift of five mortgage payoffs, for the families of Corrections Officer Shannon Dewayne Stovall, Tulsa Police Department Patrol Officer Jerad Matthew Lindsey, Pennsylvania K9 Sergeant Christopher Mortensen, Frederick Police Department Police Officer Gregory Santangelo, and Georgia Tech Police Department Investigator James Michael Cornacchia.
Corrections Officer Shannon Dewayne Stovall died on August 21, 2020 from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He is survived by his loving wife, Crystal, and their two beautiful children.
Tulsa Police Department Patrol Officer Jerad Matthew Lindsey passed away on October 28th, 2020 due to complications as the result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. He leaves behind his wife, Jennifer Lindsey, his sons, Jerry Lynn and Joe Don, and his father, Max Lindsey.
Pennsylvania K9 Sergeant Christopher Mortensen passed away on December 27, 2021 due to contracting COVID-19 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his loving wife, Alicia, and his beautiful son.
Frederick Police Department Police Officer Gregory Santangelo passed away on December 28, 2021 due to contracting COVID-19 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his loving wife, Sarah, his children, his sister, Karen, and his father, Michael.
Detective James Michael Cornacchia passed away at the age of 42 on June 1, 2020 due to contracting COVID-19 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Christal and his three sons Salvatore, Vincenzo, and Giovanni.
On December 15th, the Foundation announced the delivery of three mortgage-free homes for the families of Virginia Beach Fire Department Fire Captain Matthew R. Chiaverotti, United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Thomas Ernst, as well as a home renovation for United States Navy Corporal and Norfolk Sheriff’s Officer Laurie Wood.
United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Thomas Ernst passed away on February 19, 2023 during a skydiving training accident. He is survived by his wife, Megan, and his children.
Virginia Beach Fire Department Fire Captain Matthew R. Chiaverotti passed away on April 17, 2023 after a grueling battle with occupational cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Sara, and his beautiful son, Gus.
United States Navy Corporal Laurie Wood was catastrophically injured when going over drills with recruits at the Academy, Wood fell from the roof of a mock-village, sustaining a T10/T12 burst fracture, leaving her with paraplegia. The Foundation has paid off the mortgage on Wood’s home in Illinois and is renovating it to fit her needs.
On December 18th, it was announced that the Foundation has gifted mortgage payoffs to the families of Aurora Police Department Police Officer Brian Romel Shields, Knox County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sheriff Nicholas “Nick” D. Weist, and Illinois State Police Trooper Brian Frank, who’s home was also specially-adapted to fit his needs.
Aurora Police Department Police Officer Brian Romel Shields passed away on January 11, 2022 due to contracting COVID-19 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his loving wife, Marina, and his children, Nathaniel, Sarina, Ava, Samuel, and Malachi.
Knox County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Sheriff Nicholas “Nick” D. Weist passed away on April 29, 2022 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Jessica, and his children.
Illinois State Police Trooper Brian Frank was catastrophically injured when his patrol vehicle was struck by a distracted driver at 86 miles per hour, resulting in a severe traumatic brain injury.
On December 20th, the Foundation has welcomed Army Sergeant First Class Dustin Magner and his family into their mortgage-free smart home.
Army Sergeant First Class Dustin Magner was catastrophically injured in 2009 when his vehicle was struck by and improvised explosive device, taking the lives of three of Magner’s fellow soldiers and permanently paralyzing Magner from just below the chest down. Tunnel to Towers provided Magner, his wife, Army Major Rebecca Magner, and their children, Michael and Maia, with a new, specially-adapted mortgage-free home in Lutz, Florida.
On December 21st, it was announced that two catastrophically injured veterans, Air Force Technical Sergeant Jack Fanning and USMC Sergeant Adam Mayo, would be welcomed into their newly renovated homes that have been specially adapted to meet their unique physical needs.
In 2010, Air Force Technical Sergeant Jack Fanning parachuted into a blacked-out drop zone with his teammates in which he sustained a C4 spinal cord injury, leaving him with quadriplegia. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation transformed Fanning’s Haslet, Texas home to make it more accessible.
While on a training deployment in Thailand, USMC Sergeant Adam Mayo got separated from other Marines and suffered a neck injury leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. The renovation of his home will allow him to live more comfortably and navigate his home with ease.
On December 22nd, to wrap up our 5th Annual Season of Hope the Foundation has announced the delivery of a new home for the family of Hazmat Lieutenant Donald J. Trout, mortgage payoffs for the families of Fire Chief Stephen A. Feron and New York Police Department Police Officer Daniel John Sanchez, as well as mortgage payoffs and home renovations for two catastrophically injured first responders, New York Police Department Detective Thomas Mitchell and New York State Attorney General’s Office Detective Michael McCutchan.
New York Police Department Police Officer Daniel John Sanchez passed away on November 18, 2021 after contracting COVID-19 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Karen, his children, his parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews.
Hazmat Lieutenant Donald J. Trout passed away on August 27, 2021 at the age of 53 due to a service-related medical emergency. He is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte, and his children, Gabriella and Gianni.
Fire Chief Stephen A. Feron passed away on June 11, 2022 as a result of a medical emergency in the line of duty. He is survived by his loving wife, Kelly, and his beautiful children, Anna and Stephen.
New York State Attorney General’s Office Detective Michael McCutchan was catastrophically injured when he was struck by a box truck while assisting an unconscious driver, resulting in multiple facial fractures and skull fractures, a brain bleed, six broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a detached retina which led to blindness in that eye, a fractured scapula, and the amputation of his leg. McCutchan’s home in Mastic, New York has been renovated to include smart technology and handicap accessible features.
New York Police Department Detective Thomas Mitchell was catastrophically injured in a motor vehicle accident while responding to a robbery in progress. He sustained a spinal cord injury and endured eight months in spinal cord rehabilitation. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation renovated Mitchell’s home to cater to his needs and ensured that he lives in an accessible and inclusive home.