
For a sixth 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 sixth annual Season of Hope began on November 27th with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s donation of three mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart homes to injured veterans United States Army Specialist and Corporal Andy Keith Kingsley, United States Marine Corps Corporal John Paul Munoz-Ramirez, and injured first responder San Francisco Police Department Rangemaster Sergeant Kevin Brugaletta.
On July 12, 2010, while on deployment, Kingsley sustained catastrophic combat injuries while in the line of duty, resulting in amputation of his right leg above the knee, shrapnel wounds throughout his body, the loss of one of his toes and one of his fingers, partial vision loss, gunshots to his left leg, a traumatic brain injury, and PTSD. Kingsley has been gifted a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home in South Carolina.

During his deployment in Afghanistan, Munoz-Ramirez stepped on an IED and suffered severe injuries, including a left leg BK amputation, finger amputations, and a traumatic brain injury. Despite these challenges, he recovered remarkably quickly, walking again just three months later. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided Munoz-Ramirez a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home in Texas.

On a stormy day while on duty, Brugaletta’s vehicle was struck by a tree branch, which caused his vehicle to catch on fire. He was rescued by the fire department and sustained a spinal cord injury, burns and smoke inhalation, resulting in a seven-month hospital stay. Brugaletta has been gifted a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home in California.

On December 2nd, it was announced that the mortgage on the home of United States Army Sergeant Alex Komen Kandagor would be paid off as part of the 2024 Season of Hope.
In 2017, while on active duty in Qatar, Kandagor experienced a traumatic brain injury. Although he made it home, he passed away from his injuries three years later. He is survived by his wife, Mercy, and their son, Adrian.
On December 3rd, it was announced that the mortgage on the home of United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Timothy James Clark Jr. would be paid off as part of the 2024 Season of Hope.
Clark passed away on May 3, 2019 from a heart attack due to pre-existing heart conditions. He is survived by his wife, Natalie, and his two children, Leah and Walker.
On December 4th, the Foundation announced that the mortgage on the New Braunfels, Texas home of United States Army Sergeant Omar Avila has been paid off, along with the unveiling of extensive renovations made to the home.
Avila enlisted in the Army in 2004 and was deployed to Iraq in 2007. On May 14th of that year, his vehicle was hit by a 200-pound IED. He suffered burns over 75% of his body and his right leg was amputated below the knee.

On December 5th, it was announced that the Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the home of United States Army Sergeant Brendan J. Scallon as we continue with our 2024 Season of Hope.
While on deployment in Iraq, Scallon was struck by an IED, and sustained a traumatic brain injury. He continued to serve with determination, however, he later passed away from the severity of his injuries. He is survived by his wife, Leronica, and three children, Patience, Patrick, and Preston.
On December 6th, the Foundation announced that a specially-adapted, mortgage-free smart home has been gifted to United States Army Sergeant William Isiah Stewart Jr.
While deployed and on a logistics run, Stewart’s unit fell under attack and was hit by an explosion. He sustained extensive injuries, including a stroke which caused a traumatic brain injury, blindness, and partial paralysis on his right side. The Foundation has equipped his home in Georgia with smart technology to allow Stewart to regain his day-to-day independence.

On December 9th, it was announced that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on the home of United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Jacob Michael Galliher.
While deployed in November of 2023, Galliher was involved in an Osprey crash off the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan, tragically and prematurely ending his life at just 24 years old. He is survived by his wife, Ivy, and his sons, Malcolm and Killian.
On December 10th, it was announced that the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has purchased and renovated a home for Hinds County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Detective John David Wynne.
On the afternoon of September 24, 2013, Wynne was attempting a traffic stop of a known drug dealer when the suspect refused to stop, resulting in a high-speed pursuit. The chase took place through two counties and resulted in the suspect’s vehicle as well as Wynne’s vehicle crashing into a tree that had fallen across the roadway. Wynne sustained a traumatic brain injury, causing him to endure multiple seizures daily and constant migraines. He also sustained multiple spinal injuries, resulting in surgery and PTSD.

On December 11th, it was announced that the Foundation has provided mortgage-free homes to the families of Jefferson Parish Fire Department District Chief James E. Schexnayder III, Adventure Medics Paramedic and Wildland Firefighter Steven K. Keffer, and Denham Springs Police Department Corporal Shawn Kelly.
In May of 2020, Schexnayder was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma attributed to his career and underwent chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation. He entered remission in August of 2020, however, in February of 2023, the cancer returned, this time more aggressive. Schexnayder sadly lost his battle three months later. He is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte, and his children, Dawson, Luke, Chloe and Bayleigh.
In August of 2023, Keffer had been tirelessly working the Gila Fire for 21 continuous days. He left to retrieve supplies for cold weather and collapsed before returning, and ultimately passed away. He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa, and his beautiful children, Maclaren, Finlay, Liam and Kayde.

In the early evening hours of May 11, 2023, Kelly had been working a traffic assignment when he responded to a scene in which a man was arguing with a woman he did not know in the parking lot of a shopping center. Upon arriving at the scene, the suspect shot Kelly multiple times. After being transported to a local hospital, Kelly remained in critical condition before succumbing to his injuries on June 2, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Megan, and four children.
On December 12th, the Foundation announced that mortgage-free homes have been provided to the families of fallen first responders CAL FIRE Captain Timothy David Rodriguez Jr., Riverside Police Department Detective Aaron Brandt, Rancho Cucamonga Fire District Firefighter Engineer and Paramedic Miguel Cervantes, CAL FIRE Assistant Chief of Tactical Air Operations Josh Bischof through the Fallen First Responder Home Program, and the family of United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Desiree Nigg through the Gold Star Family Home Program.
While attempting to put out a fire in Cabazon, California, Rodriguez tragically lost his life in a helicopter collision on August 6, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and his children.
After twenty-five years to dedicated service to the Riverside Police Department in many capacities, Brandt was unfortunately diagnosed with service-related acute leukemia, and fought valiantly before prematurely losing his life in August of 2020. He is survived by his wife, Melissa, and his children.
In July of 2022, Cervantes was diagnosed with Follicular Lymphoma. After four rounds of chemotherapy, the cancer stopped responding to treatment and transformed into a more aggressive type of cancer. Cervantes remained humble, brave and loving throughout his treatment, with a smile on his face until he took his last breath surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Cylina, and his children.
In August of 2023, Bischof was fighting a wildfire when two helicopters collided, tragically and prematurely ending his life after twenty-six years of devoted service to his community. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, and his children, Derek and Juliana.
In January of 2023, Nigg was diagnosed with Stage IV Colorectal Cancer, attributed to her honorable service. She fought courageously before prematurely passing away in March of 2024. She is survived by her husband, Dustin, and their daughters, Mina, Lucy and Anna.
The Foundation also announced the gift of a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home for Montana Highway Patrol State Trooper Wade Palmer.
On March 15, 2019, Palmer responded to a wanted individual who was involved in a shooting and was ambushed, sustaining multiple gunshots which left him with a traumatic brain injury, a stroke which impacted his mobility on his right side, and loss of speech. The adaptations made to his home will allow him to focus on his ongoing recovery and spend time with his family without worry for the future.
On December 13th, the Foundation announced that a mortgage-free home has been provided to the family of Hermann Police Department Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith.
In March of 2023, while assisting another officer in a disturbance, the suspect fatally shot Griffth and his partner, resulting in his premature death. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and his sons, Karson and Trevor.
On December 16th, the Foundation announced that a mortgage-free home has been provided to the family of Mecklenburg Emergency Medical Services Agency Paramedic Stephen Mark Hayes.
With a passion to help others and take care of people, Hayes decided to become a paramedic in 1996. His hard work shined bright, with over 25 cardiac saves and achieving the rank of Crew Chief. While responding to a call one day, Hayes suffered a medical emergency pertaining to his heart and tragically lost his life. Hayes is survived by his wife, Taryn, and their four children.
The Foundation also announced the gift of a mortgage-free, newly renovated smart home for Navy Lieutenant Commander Dan Cnossen.
In 2009, then Lt. Cnossen was on a night mission in the Afghan mountains when he stepped on an IED. He lost both legs in the blast. He would later be awarded a Purple Heart, and Bronze Star with Valor. He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander before medically retiring from the military.
On December 17th, the Foundation announced that it has provided a mortgage-free home to the family of Madison Police Department Special Response Team Randy Tyler and provided United States Army Corporal Dustin Paul Weber with a mortgage-free smart home.
Tyler passed away on June 1, 2023 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Tui, his son Eli, and his stepdaughter, Kaitlyn.
Weber sustained injuries to his ankle on his second deployment to Afghanistan, later learning that his injuries were worse than originally suspected, resulting in multiple surgeries and treatments before reaching the decision to amputate below the knee. The Foundation has provided Weber with a mortgage-free smart home to allow him more freedom within his home and improve his quality of life.
On December 18th, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced that three fallen first responder families have been provided with a mortgage-free home; the families of Pope County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Owen and Clay County Fire Rescue Firefighter and Paramedic Engineer Jeremy J. McKay.
Owen passed away on April 15, 2023 while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Shannon, and his son.
McKay passed away on November 27, 2019 after his battle with service-related cancer. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and his daughters, Teagan, Adysen and Everlyn.
On December 19th, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced that it has provided mortgage-free homes to the families of United States Army Sergeant First Class Lance H. Vogeler and United States Marine Corps Sergeant James Thomas LaHayne through the Gold Star Family Home Program.
Vogeler passed away on October 1, 2010 while deployed in Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife, Melissa, and his son, Colin.
LaHayne passed away on October 16, 2023 after his lengthy battle with service-related cancer. He is survived by his wife, Staci, and his daughter, Bailee.
Additionally, the Foundation announced the gift of a mortgage-free smart home for Cleveland Police Officer Jonathan Rodriguez located in the Let Us Do Good Village.
On June 5, 2020, Rodriguez and his team were responding to a call when the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by a drunk driver. He sustained a spinal cord injury, leaving him paralyzed. His recovery has been both physically and mentally challenging and he is working towards bettering his health each day.
On December 20th, the Foundation announced that it has provided a mortgage-free home to the family of United States Army Chief Warrant Officer 1 Aaron Healy
Healy passed away on March 29, 2023 as the result of a helicopter training accident. He is survived by his wife, Sierra, and his daughters, Blakelyn and Dakota.
On December 23rd, the Foundation announced that it has provided mortgage-free homes to the families of Tacoma Fire Department Firefighter Driver Robert “Bo” Louis Schiemer and Bellevue Police Department Motorcycle Police Officer Jordan Jackson through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.
Schiemer sadly passed away after a long and hard battle with both stomach/esophageal and lung/pleural cancer on January 29, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Melissa, and four children; William Louis, Jacob “Jeep” Eugene, Finlay Joseph, and Elloise Rose.
Jackson passed away on November 21, 2022 from injuries he sustained after being involved in a vehicle collision while in the line of duty. He is survived by his wife, Kelsey, and his children, Makai and Lennox.
To conclude our 2024 Season of Hope, on December 24th the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has announced the gift of mortgage free homes to the families of FDNY Firefighter Mark Batista, Norwalk Fire Department Firefighter Craig Saris, Army Specialist Daniel Fuentes, and Army Specialist Louis Vazquez, as well as a mortgage-free smart home to Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal Group One Bobby Donnelly.
Additionally, the foundation announced the gift of mortgage-free smart homes to the following Smart Home recipients: US Treasury Police Officer Joseph Lock, Charleston Firefighter John Philpott, Army Specialist Peggy Lou Smith, and Army Master Sergeant Jarret Jongema.