NEW YORK [December 15, 2025] — The Tunnel to Towers Foundation today announced the newest class of its T2T Student-Athlete Advocate Program, welcoming six new students who will endeavor to ensure that young Americans “Never Forget” the sacrifices made by first responders and military members. This meaningful expansion represents commitment from students across the country – including a Southeastern Conference (SEC) school for the first time in the program’s history – to cultivate the Foundation’s mission amongst their peers.
The program, launched in September 2021, empowers college student-athletes to use their Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) platforms for a meaningful cause: growing personal brands while promoting the organization’s mission to honor first responders, military veterans, and their families. To date, 24 student-athletes and young professionals have collaborated with the foundation to participate in the initiative.
The latest group of Student-Athlete Advocates are:
Ella Duffy – Senior Equestrian, University of Georgia
Timothy Grabinski – Junior Swimmer, Liberty University
Neave Bowman – Sophomore Lacrosse Player, Stonehill College
Danielle Williamsen – Sophomore Basketball Player, Marist University
Robert Egan – Junior Golfer, William Paterson University
Mary Kinnane – Senior Volleyball Player, Hartwick College
These six student-athletes constitute the largest group in the program’s 5-year history, each joining the ranks of an elite roster of alumni advocates from across the country representing the Foundation’s mission to do good.
“In the fifth year of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Student-Athlete Advocate Program, we are welcoming our biggest set of students the Foundation has ever had,” said Tunnel to Towers CEO and Chairman Frank Siller. “These amazing athletes bring their drive and passion from the courts and fields to America’s military and first responder families. This group – each having been born after the events of September 11th, 2001 – is helping to cement the legacy of our fallen heroes in the hearts and minds of the next generation.”
Student-Athlete Advocates are expected to familiarize themselves with the organization’s mission and talking points, participate in T2T events across the country, and engage with T2T followers through content creation on the Foundation’s website and social media channels.
“Becoming part of the program enables me to pour my energy into something much bigger than myself, and there is no better place to do so,” said Ella Duffy, a senior equestrian at the University of Georgia from Marietta, GA. “I want to spread awareness of the sacrifice made by servicemen and women throughout Georgia.”
Next year, when the nation commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, the Student-Athlete Advocates, each of whom have their own personal connection to the mission and service, are committed to ensuring their peers “Never Forget” that day.
“I come from a long line of first responders and as a New York City native, I am aware of the importance of helping the next generation of Americans understand the impact our first responders have on our lives,” said Mary Kinnane, a senior volleyball player at Hartwick College from Rockaway, NY.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. For over 20 years, the Foundation has supported our nation’s first responders, veterans, and their families by providing these heroes and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes.
This year, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is delivering over 200 mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, Gold Star families, and families of first responders who leave behind young children. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness, having already provided over 10,000 of America’s homeless veterans with housing assistance and services.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Annual Footsteps to the Future Gala took place on Friday, December 5 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Sponsors, program recipients, and award recipients were in attendance, among others.
This year, the Foundation honored Mike Lentin, President of CitiQuiet Windows, and Lew Leone, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX 5, with the Follow The Footsteps Award. Additionally, Dave Portnoy, Founder and Owner of Barstool Sports, was the recipient of the Let Us Do Good Award.
Since Barstool Sports’ inception, Portnoy made it his mission to give back. When Jonathan Diller, NYPD Police Officer, was shot and killed in March of 2024, Portnoy used his platform to raise funds for Officer Diller’s widow, Stephanie Diller, and their son.
Portnoy stressed the importance of knowing exactly where donations go and stated that he knew when he met Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, that he could trust that donors’ money is used for good, as evidenced by our four star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities.
“You know the $11, or if you can give more, it’s going to all the right people… I’m super proud. I’ve told them once, I’ve told them many times, as long as you’ll have me, I’ll be involved. You don’t have to thank me,” said Dave Portnoy.
All three of these recipients exemplify the Foundation’s mission to do good in honor of America’s heroes.
The Foundation is also thankful for the support of our sponsors, who help us forge these Footsteps to the Future.
50 Mortgage-free homes will be delivered between December 1st and Christmas Eve
NEW YORK, NEW YORK [December 1, 2025] – The 2025 Season of Hope, the annual Tunnel to Towers holiday tradition supporting America’s Heroes and their families, will deliver 50 forever homes this holiday season.
To launch the seventh annual Season of Hope, Tunnel to Towers is delivering three mortgage-free homes in Florida to families representing each of its programs:
Army Major Ivan Castro – Smart Home Program
Army Staff Sergeant Adam McHugh – Gold Star Family Home Program
Delray Beach Fire Lieutenant Ray Keith – Fallen First Responder Home Program
In a private ceremony, Army Major Ivan Castro cut a ceremonial ribbon outside his home in Orlando, Florida.
Retired Army Major Castro served for 28 years as an Army Ranger and an elite member of the Army’s Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets.
His career included multiple overseas deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, South and Central America.
In 2006, while serving as a First Lieutenant with the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was injured in a mortar attack, resulting in permanent bilateral blindness.
After spending a year recovering from his injuries, Major 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 completed renovations to his Orlando home to make it more accessible and paid off the mortgage.
“Tunnel to Towers has provided me with financial relief, stability, and security…equally important is the emotional and psychological support that comes with a home that will help restore my dignity and reduce my stress,” said Major Castro.
Tunnel to Towers installed smart technology and added to the master bedroom and the main living area, which will allow him to control the lights, thermostat, sound, and security system from an app. A whole-house generator will protect him in the event of an emergency, and accessible storage, smart toilets, and a concrete pad on the side of the house will help Major Castro reclaim his daily independence.
Army Staff Sergeant Adam McHugh enlisted in the Army in 2007, following in the footsteps of his father, uncles, and grandparents.
During his 16-year military career, he was honored with the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Knowlton Award, among others.
He lost his life on November 24, 2023, to service-connected cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Chelsea, and their two children, Chloe and Thomas.
Tunnel to Towers paid, in full, the mortgage on their home in Cantonment, Florida.
Delray Beach Fire Lieutenant Ray Keith joined the Delray Beach Fire in October 2016.
Seven years later, he would lose his life to occupational colon cancer on October 18, 2023, at 31 years old.
Lt 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 their three children.
Tunnel to Towers paid off the mortgage on the family’s Royal Palm Beach home.
The Tunnel to Towers Season of Hope is the Foundation’s annual campaign to deliver the safety and security of a mortgage-free home to America’s Heroes.
From December 1st through Christmas Eve, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation will deliver 50 homes in 24 states, covering nearly half the country, and including four homes in Florida.
“This holiday, as you gather to celebrate the season, I would like to express my thanks to every person who has joined us on our mission. Thanks to the generosity of America, we will be able to provide 50 life-changing forever homes to 50 families this month, bringing us to over 200 families this year,” said Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. “It is the goodness of America taking care of the greatness of America, the heroes who lay down their lives and bodies to keep all of us safe.”
Thanks to the tremendous support of Americans from every corner of this great country, Tunnel to Towers will deliver over 200 mortgage-free homes this year alone.
For more on those Tunnel to Towers is supporting this holiday season, visit T2T.org.
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.
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 Lieutenant Ray Keith and his family
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.
Sergeant First Class Adam Scott McHugh and his family
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.
Officer Wisbens Antoine and his family
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.
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.
Lance Corporal Underwood cutting the ribbon for his new specially-adapted smart home
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.
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.
Fire Captain Michael Wells and his family
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.
Sergeant First Class Jason Granger and his family
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.
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.
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.
Trooper Clay Carns and his family
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.
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.
Sergeant Jeremy McQueary and his 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.
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.
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.
Officer Thomas Maher cutting the ribbon for his new specially-adapted smart home
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.
Sergeant Kenneth Kasten and his family
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.
Firefighter and Paramedic Adam Finseth and his family
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.
Firefighter Christian Bigelow cutting the ribbon for his new specially-adapted smart home
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.
Sergeant Alexander Richard Kopf with his wife and son
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK [November 26, 2025] – The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is celebrating this Thanksgiving by paying off the mortgages and completing vital smart home renovations for three injured U.S. Army Veterans, lifting the physical and financial burdens off these three heroes and their families:
U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Casey Callister – Citronelle, Alabama
U.S. Army Sergeant Cory Collins – China Grove, North Carolina
U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Cody Chism – Emmitsburg, Maryland
“The courage and sacrifice of our Veterans inspire us every day, and we are grateful to provide them with a home that meets their needs, a place where they can celebrate this Thanksgiving and the holidays for many years to come,” said Frank Siller, Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Tunnel to Towers paid off the mortgage on the Citronelle, AL home of SFC Casey Callister and made renovations to his home, giving him more independence following a devastating accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
“I’m so grateful…I have a fully accessible home, I can take a shower, get my own clothes, and move around freely,” said SFC Callister. “Tunnel to Towers has done so much for me, but more importantly, lifted a heavy burden from my wife.”
Inspired by his father, also an Army veteran, SFC Callister was determined to answer the call to serve after America was attacked on September 11, 2001.
Renovations to his home include an ADA-accessible master bathroom, new concrete walkways connecting the driveway, rear door, and outbuildings, and a replaced deck with new safety railings. The main living areas have been equipped with smart technology that allows lighting, temperature, sound, and security systems to be controlled via an app.
Without the burden of a mortgage, the Callister family plans to build college funds for their children and focus on their future together.
In China Grove, North Carolina, SGT Cory Collins and his family are celebrating a new chapter as Tunnel to Towers paid off the mortgage on their China Grove home and completed key accessibility upgrades.
A decorated combat veteran who lost his leg and sustained serious injuries from an IED explosion in Iraq, Collins said the gift of a mortgage-free home brings his family long-term financial stability.
“Tunnel to Towers has given me something hard to put into words,” said SGT Collins. “My family is now financially secure…our money becomes our money again. I know that no matter what happens to me in the future, my family will be taken care of. Tunnel to Towers made that possible.”
Upgrades include a whole-house generator, smart home technology for lighting, audio, HVAC, and security systems, touchless faucets, accessible cabinets, smart toilets in the bathrooms, and a paved driveway to improve wheelchair access.
In Emmitsburg, Maryland, SSG Cody Chism and his wife, Vanessa, were welcomed home to a fully renovated, mortgage-free home. After serving as a combat medic in Iraq, Chism suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries and was later diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
The family, who relocated to Maryland for better access to medical care, now have a home that works for them — making it easier for Vanessa to provide day-to-day care for her husband.
“There really isn’t a word big enough to describe the gratitude I feel,” said Vanessa Chism, Cody’s wife and full-time caregiver. “It’s not just for what Tunnel to Towers has done for my family, but for everything they continue to do for the entire first responder and military community. We are forever grateful.”
Renovations include an ADA-accessible master bathroom and bedroom, widened doorways, a new deck, porch railings, ramps, and new walkways for improved wheelchair access, as well as a whole-house generator and smart home technology featuring automated lighting, audio, HVAC, and security systems.
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially adapted, mortgage-free smart homes or renovates existing homes to help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders reclaim their day-to-day independence. For more information and to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission to build smart homes for America’s heroes, visit T2T.org and consider donating just $11 per month.
Home Dedication Ceremony for Army Sergeant Jason Walker on November 19 at 1:00 PM
HERMISTON, OREGON [November 19, 2025] – The Tunnel to Towers Foundation invites you to join us as U.S. Marine Corps and Army Veteran Sergeant Jason Walker and his sons see their new mortgage-free smart home for the first time.
“This is going to be our first real ‘home.’ After moving so much for the military, this will be a place where my kids can finally feel settled, a place where I can live comfortably, forever,” said SGT Walker.
SGT Walker comes from a proud military family with relatives who served in the Navy. Following his lifelong desire to serve, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 2002 as a Combat Engineer. He was stationed at Portland Swan Island 6th ESB in the construction platoon and deployed to Iraq in 2005. He served six years before leaving the Marines in 2008. In April of 2010, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two tours in Afghanistan, deploying in 2011 and again in 2013.
“I loved being part of a team and the camaraderie between individuals from all walks of life,” said SGT Walker. “Serving gave me purpose, and it allowed me to protect the people I love while being part of something bigger than myself.”
On his third deployment in September of 2013, SGT Walker was performing route clearance, dismantling IEDs, when he triggered an IED set as part of a complex ambush. He lost his left leg below the knee, suffered severe injuries on his right leg, and sustained a traumatic brain injury.
In honor of his service, Tunnel to Towers has built him an accessible smart home and will deliver it, mortgage-free.
“My current home has stairs, and it isn’t easy to get around. I cannot wait to have a home that is one floor and completely accessible, so even on my worst day, I will still be able to get out of bed and get around.”
SGT Walker’s new smart home is designed to restore his independence and make everyday living more accessible. The single-story, fully ADA-compliant home features zero thresholds, motorized doors, keyless entry, smart controls for lighting, temperature, and security, and a whole-house generator to maintain functionality during power outages.
Join Tunnel to Towers on November 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Hermiston, Oregon, as the community comes together to celebrate this life-changing gift for SGT Walker and his family.
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially-adapted, mortgage-free smart homes or renovates existing homes to help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders reclaim their day-to-day independence.
For more information and to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission to build smart homes for America’s heroes, visit T2T.org and consider donating just $11 per month.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA [November 14, 2025] – The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is proud to announce it has paid off the mortgage and completed extensive smart home renovations for Las Vegas veteran United States Army Specialist (SPC) Patrick Shaw.
SPC Shaw is battling service-connected ALS, and his battle underscores that all of the risks faced by our nation’s military do not end on the battlefield.
SPC Patrick Shaw enlisted in the Army in 2014 and served with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. His service continued with the 1-37 Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington.
During his service, Shaw suffered multiple traumatic brain injuries, exposure to burn pits, and other hazards that led to his diagnosis of service-connected ALS.
After his diagnosis, his family rallied around him and his girlfriend, with multiple family members moving to a home in Las Vegas, where they can help provide care for SPC Shaw while he is on his ALS journey.
Without his family’s knowledge, SPC Shaw used his new eye-gaze to fill out an application for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Smart Home Program last October. The family was accepted in February, and the work on his home was completed in late October.
To meet his evolving needs, Tunnel to Towers remodeled Shaw’s home with eye-gaze technology, full wheelchair accessibility, and smart home features that will improve his and his family’s quality of life.
The Foundation also paid off his mortgage, allowing his family to focus on care and healing, instead of working to make payments. SPC Shaw thanked Tunnel to Towers for their support and all the work that went into making his home more accessible.
“It’s amazing, I couldn’t be more grateful, everything T2T has done has been amazing,” said Jamie Wilson, SPC Shaw’s mother. As for the financial support of a mortgage payoff, “I’m still in shock, I cannot wrap my head around it. Everyone in the family was contributing to make the mortgage payments…now not to have that stress and being able to focus on Patrick is the biggest difference maker, and we are forever grateful.”
Renovations Include:
Expansion of the bathroom and master bedroom for full ADA accessibility
Widened doorways and a new ADA-compliant front door
New wheelchair-accessible parking pad and upgraded patio access
Roll-under kitchen island for easier use
Whole-house generator, outlets for medical equipment, and ADA flooring
Smart home technology: automated lighting, audio, HVAC, and security systems
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Smart Home Program builds or renovates existing homes into smart homes to help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
“The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is honored to support SPC Shaw and his family by lifting the financial burden of a mortgage,” said Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, who added, “Tunnel to Towers is committed to ensuring he can live with dignity and comfort.”
For more information and to support our mission of building homes for America’s heroes, visit T2T.org. Join us in making a difference by donating just $11 per month.
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