For a seventh 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 50 mortgage-free homes to deserving recipients nationwide by Christmas Eve, bringing the total to more than 200 mortgage-free homes for the year.
Thanks to the generous support of Americans across the country, by the end of this year, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation will deliver more than 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 seventh annual Season of Hope began on December 1st with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s donation of a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home to injured veteran, United States Army Major Ivan Castro, as well as three mortgage-free homes to the families of fallen Delray Beach Fire Rescue Fire Lieutenant Ray Keith, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department Fire Engineer Heath O’Shea, and United States Army Sergeant First Class Adam Scott McHugh.
In 2006, while serving as a First Lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Army Major Ivan Castro was injured in a mortar attack, resulting in permanent bilateral blindness. After recovering for nearly a year from his injuries, Castro continued to serve as an active duty soldier, becoming the only blind soldier to serve in Special Forces until his retirement. Tunnel to Towers renovated his home into a smart home to make it more accessible and paid off the mortgage.
Delray Beach Fire Rescue Fire Lieutenant Ray Keith lost his life to occupational colon cancer on October 18, 2023. At 31 years old, he had served for seven honorable years. Keith was certified in hazardous materials, a member of the DBFR Honor Guard, and a leader for the DBFR Explorer Program. He was named the 2022 Firefighter of the Year. He leaves behind his wife, Amanda, and his three children.
Fire Engineer Heath O’Shea proudly served on the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department for 20 years and was assigned to Tanker-54-C on the Southside. On April 13, 2024, he suffered a medical emergency while on duty at Fire Station 54, leaving behind his wife, Melanie O’Shea, and their two children, Simon and Lily.
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Adam Scott McHugh lost his life on November 24, 2023 from service-related cancer. He enlisted in the military in 2007, following in the footsteps of his father, uncles, and grandparents. McHugh is survived by his wife, Chelsea, and their two children, Chloe and Thomas.
On December 2nd, it was announced that the mortgage on the homes of fallen Knoxville Police Department Police Officer Wisbens Antoine and Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department Fire Captain David Bricker will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
Police Officer Antoine collapsed during Basic Recruit training after completing a mile-and-a-half run. Trainers immediately began life-saving efforts and transported him to the hospital, where his condition worsened. He passed away on February 25, 2024. Antoine is survived by his wife, Kendra, and his daughters, Gianna and Geleah.
Captain Bricker lost his life on February 5, 2024 after suffering a medical emergency within hours after his tour of duty. He was just 45 years old and leaves behind his wife, Cassie, and children, Benjamin and Emily.
On December 3rd, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured United States Marine Corps Lance Corporal Mitchell Underwood, as well as the mortgage on the home of fallen City of Des Moines Fire Department Firefighter Malcolm Frantz Cortner will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
Lance Corporal Underwood was catastrophically injured on April 23, 2011 when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device. The blast took the lives of two of his fellow marines and he sustained a traumatic brain injury, a ruptured spleen, multiple fractures, and the amputation of his right leg.
Firefighter Cortner lost his battle to occupational brain cancer on March 2, 2025 at just 42 years old. He is survived by his wife, Sheena, and his children, Shealey, Madelyn, and Samuel.
On December 4th, it was announced that the mortgage on the homes of fallen Kern County Fire Department Fire Captain Michael Wells, United States Army Sergeant First Class Jason Granger, and San Francisco Fire Department Fire Lieutenant Stephen Silvestrich will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
Fire Captain Wells passed away on January 28, 2024, after a courageous battle with occupational-related kidney cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their children, Colton, Caleb, and Christopher.
Sergeant First Class Granger was killed while conducting Military Free Fall Training in Perris, California, on December 27, 2013. He had over 2,000 jumps in his 11-year Army career. He leaves behind his wife, Calah, and their children, Tyler, Christian, and Ryder.
Fire Lieutenant Silvestrich tragically passed away on April 16, 2024 of a sudden heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Kristen, and his children, Ethan, Ella, Aidan, and Abigail.
On December 5th, it was announced that mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart homes will be provided to injured United States Army Sergeant William Stalnecker as well as injured United States Army Major David Ziegelhofer.
While serving our country, Sergeant Stalnecker sustained an injury to his right foot, leading to osteomyelitis, a bone infection, which resulted in above-the-knee amputation.
After undergoing surgery to remove a service-connected tumor from his chest and neck, Major Ziegelhofer suffered a stroke that left him with hemiparesis, cognitive deficits, aphasia, and memory loss. The road to recovery was steep and uncertain, but Ziegelhofer faced it with courage and determination.
On December 8th, it was announced that the mortgage on the homes of fallen Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns and Honolulu Police Department Police Officer Bill Sapolu will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
After 11 honorable years serving with the Illinois State Police, Trooper Clay Carns was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while removing debris on the highway, later succumbing to his injuries. He leaves behind his wife, Meghan, and his children, Gray and Ally.
Officer Bill Sapolu lived a life of service, having devoted 22 years to the United States Army National Guard with four combat deployments, and 21 years to the Honolulu Police Department. Sapolu’s life was tragically cut short when he was involved in a motorcycle crash while on duty in July 2023. His final act of service was donating his organs. He is survived by his wife, Christina, and his children, Kayla, Karly, and Kody.
On December 9th, it was announced that the mortgage on the homes of fallen United States Marine Corps Sergeant Jeremy Ryan McQueary and Waltham Police Department Police Officer Paul Tracey will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
While serving his third combat tour in Afghanistan, Sergeant Jeremy Ryan McQueary was tragically killed on February 18, 2010 from an IED blast. He is survived by his wife, Rae and son, Hadley.
After 28 years with the Waltham Police Department, Officer Paul Tracey was tragically killed when he was struck by a vehicle while working a construction detail. He leaves behind his wife, Kristin, and his children, Danika and Tyler.
On December 10th, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured United States Marine Corps Sergeant Jesus “Chuy” Vasquez Jr. as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
After an initial leg injury from a parachute training accident, Sergeant Jesus Vasquez Jr.’s condition worsened with a subsequent motorcycle accident and improper healing of his injuries despite several surgeries, resulting in an amputation. Vasquez had to relearn to walk, and still has no feeling in his leg.
On December 11th, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Thomas Maher, and the mortgage on the homes of fallen Burnsville Fire Department Firefighter and Paramedic Adam Finseth and United States Army Sergeant Kenneth Anthony Kasten will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
While in the line of duty, Officer Thomas Maher was struck head-on by a drunk driver, rendering him critically injured with a broken spine, and paralysis from the chest down, also resulting in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. With the unwavering support of his family, Maher was able to overcome the physical and mental obstacles he faced as a result of his injuries and find a new purpose in life: advocacy against drunk driving.
Sergeant Kenneth Anthony Kasten tragically lost his life due service-connected cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Natalie, and their beautiful children, Henry, Ella, and Oliver.
While assisting a SWAT team at a domestic violence call, Firefighter and Paramedic Adam Finseth was shot and killed as he was administering aid to police. Two police officers were also shot and killed, with another injured. He is survived by his loving wife, Tara, his son, Liam, and his daughter, Nora.
On December 15th, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured Los Angeles County Fire Department Firefighter Christian “CJ” Bigelow, and the mortgage on the homes of fallen Nogales Police Department Police Officer Jeremy Brinton and United States Army National Guard Sergeant Alexander Richard Kopf will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
While responding to a rescue call, Firefighter Christina Bigelow’s vehicle was hit head-on by a driver traveling in the opposite direction. Trapped in the wreckage, Bigelow required 20 minutes of extrication. Bigelow sustained multiple severe injuries: a fractured pelvis in three places, a broken back (L5-S1 vertebrae), and an open fracture of his left tibia, fibula, and ankle. These injuries ultimately led to the amputation of his left leg below the knee.
Police Officer Jeremy Brinton of the Nogales Police Department in Arizona died on May 21, 2021 from injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle on the Interstate. He was airlifted to the hospital where in his final act of heroism, his organs were donated to save the lives of others. He is survived by his wife, Denise, his children, Justin, James, Sofia.
United States Army National Guard Sergeant Alexander Richard Kopf tragically passed away on June 25, 2018, due to a brain injury sustained from an IED attack in Afghanistan. He is survived by his wife, Vanessa, and their son, Colton.
On December 16th, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Joe Piersante, and the mortgage on the home of fallen United States Army Sergeant First Class Orin Dunham Jr. will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
Special Agent Joe Piersante was catastrophically injured by a belt-fed machine gun round to his head, resulting in a frontal lobe injury and blindness. Despite these challenges, he continues to live with resilience and determination. He and his fiance, Leslie, share a commitment to public speaking, focusing on PTSD awareness and wellness.
Sergeant First Class Orin Dunham Jr. tragically passed away on July 11, 2020, due to a heart attack stemming from service-connected hypertensive cardiovascular disease. He is survived by his wife, Sherrise, their children, Dominique and Denzel, and his stepson, Bryan.
On December 17th, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured United States Army Specialist Christian Avila Taveras, and the mortgages on the homes of fallen United States Space Force Technical Sergeant Peter Joshua Colón, United States Marine Corp Staff Sergeant Jacob Bradley Rich, and Las Cruces Police Department Patrol Officer Jonah Hernandez will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
Specialist Christian Taveras sustained life changing injuries when a vehicle rollover accident that left him pinned beneath a 577 track vehicle. He sustained severe lower-body polytrauma, resulting in the amputation of his left leg above the knee and limb salvage of his right leg, which left him with limited mobility and nerve damage. Despite these challenges, he continues to embody resilience and determination.
Sergeant Peter Joshua Colón tragically lost his life on March 15, 2022 from service-connected cancer. He is survived by his wife, Suzy, and their children, Lincoln and Tucker.
Staff Sergeant Jacob Bradley Rich tragically passed away on May 7, 2015 from service-connected cancer. He is survived by his wife Yoko, and their children Hannah, Kylie and Austin.
At just 35 years old, Patrol Officer Jonah Hernandez was fatally stabbed while responding to a trespassing call. He was stabbed multiple times after responding to a trespassing call. He is survived by his loving wife Yesenia Lopez, and his sons, Sebastian and Joaquin.
On December 18th, it was announced that the mortgage on the home of fallen Walla Walla Fire Department Fire Engineer and Paramedic Ryan Pleasants will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
After 20 years devoted to the Walla Walla Fire Department, Fire Engineer and Paramedic Ryan Pleasants was found deceased in his bed at Fire Station 1 of an apparent heart attack after working a 48 hour shift. He is survived by his wife, Racquel, and his children, Ella and Oliver.
On December 19th, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured United States Army Sergeant Jonathan “Chase” Gean as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
While deployed in Afghanistan, Gean’s squad was ambushed by Taliban forces, and Gean was shot in the lower back and right arm, paralyzing him from the waist down.
On December 22nd, it was announced that mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart homes will be provided to injured Pease Fire Department Lieutenant Normand Dumais Jr. and United States Army First Sergeant John Micheal Fairfax, and the mortgages on the homes of fallen New York City Police Department Police Officer Anthony “Tony” D’Erasmo and United States Marine Corps Sergeant Colin Ismail Arslanbas will be paid off as part of the 2025 Season of Hope.
Lieutenant Dumais sustained a spinal cord injury in a parachuting accident during his time in the 82nd Airborne Division, and was then re-injured during training. After six years of rehabilitation accomplished the impressive feat of walking and running again. Determined to serve his community, Dumais began working as an EMT with AMR in Manchester, New Hampshire. Two years later, he became a Firefighter/EMT, serving with the New Boston Fire Department, Strafford Fire and Rescue, and later Pease Fire Department, where he held the rank of Lieutenant. While serving as a firefighter in 2019, Dumais sustained a traumatic brain injury with complications as a result of an explosion of equipment directly in his face and the ingestion of toxic chemicals. He continued to work and fight through everything until he was removed from duty in 2021. Dumais fully retired in 2022.
While deployed as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Sergeant Fairfax was critically wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device, while on a mounted combat reconnaissance patrol near Firebase Cobra. The blast caused catastrophic injuries: his right eye was dislodged from its socket, his left lung partially collapsed, and his right femur shattered, severing both his femoral artery and popliteal vein. After two years as a limb salvage, Fairfax made the decision to have an elective amputation of his right leg above the knee. In 2007, he made history as the first amputee to graduate from Jumpmaster School, and later became the first above-the-knee amputee in the Special Forces Regiment to redeploy to Afghanistan.
Retired New York City Police Department (NYPD) Police Officer Tony D’Erasmo died on August 31, 2017 as a result of renal cell carcinoma, which he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Beth,” and his children, Anthony, Christopher, Jaclyn and Nicole.
United States Marine Corps Sergeant Colin Ismail Arslanbas tragically lost his life on April 18, 2024, during a training accident during a High-Altitude High-Opening (HAHO) jump. He is survived by his wife, Gracen, and their daughter, Margot.
On December 23rd, it was announced that a mortgage-free, specially-adapted smart home will be provided to injured New York City Police Department Police Officer William Meurer. Additionally, the mortgages on the homes of the following fallen heroes will be paid off to close out another successful Season of Hope:
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs Police Services Corporal Raymond Kuuchi
- Plainfield Fire Department Fire Lieutenant Marques “Keesie” Hudson
- New York City Police Department Sergeant Nemesio Vera
- New York City Police Department Detective 2nd Grade Adam Frasse
- New Jersey State Trooper II Marcellus Bethea
- United States Army Corporal Luigi Marciante Sr.
- Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department Engineer Heath O’Shea
Officer William Meurer sustained life changing injuries when he was involved in a vehicle accident during a high-speed chase, leaving him with a broken leg and lasting complications. Not long after, he was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis.
Corporal Raymond Kuuchi suffered a fatal heart attack while at the VA Law Enforcement Training Center in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Amay, and his children, Rachel, Raven, Rexford, Ransford and Agnes.
Lieutenant Marques “Keesie” Hudson responded to a residential fire wherein he became trapped and a mayday was called. He was immediately rescued and CPR was performed. He was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by his partner, D’onnah Jones, and his sons, Kaleb, Josiah, and Isaiah.
Sergeant Nemesio Vera passed away due to occupational stomach cancer attributed to his work in search and recovery at Ground Zero after 9/11. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, twin daughters, Margaret and Isabel, and grandsons, Haden and Logan.
Detective Adam Frasse experienced chest pain while conducting surveillance of human trafficking on November 23, 2009. He suffered a heart attack and lost oxygen to his brain for 30 minutes. Sadly, he never regained consciousness and was in a coma for four-and-a-half years. He passed away on May 5, 2014 at the age of 48. He is survived by his wife, Kara, and his sons, Scott and Jay.
Trooper Marcellus Bethea collapsed and lost his life on May 5, 2024 while training to join the department’s elite response team, the Technical Emergency and Mission Specialist Team. He is survived by his wife, Kate, and their daughter, Bella.
Corporal Luigi Marciante tragically perished on September 20, 2007, when he was fatally wounded by an IED while serving in Iraq. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Lorenzo.
Fire Engineer Heath O’Shea suffered a medical emergency at the fire station and passed away the following day. He is survived by his wife, Melanie, and their children, Simon and Lily.