Ahead of Veterans Day, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named after a fallen 9/11 firefighter, unveiled newly renovated smart home of USMC SSgt Johnny “Joey” Jones.
SSgt Jones deployed twice during his eight years of active duty with the Marines, first to Iraq and then to Afghanistan. He was serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in Afghanistan’s Helmand Providence on August 6, 2010, when he triggered an IED. He lost both legs above the knee in the blast and suffered damage to his arms and wrist.
The injury did not stop him in his mission to support his brothers in arms.
Since his recovery, he has dedicated himself to improving the lives of his fellow veterans and their families, working with the non-profit Boot Campaign and Camp Southern Ground.
“I had help post-injury; my friends, family and personality helped to make my recovery successful. I just hope I can help with any lessons or experiences that I can pass along,” Jones said of his work.
To help SSgt Jones live as independently as possible the Tunnel to Towers Foundation made major renovations to the home he shares with his family.
“Joey stepped up to serve his country, now he continues to serve by helping his fellow veterans. We hope this home makes his life and his family’s life a little easier,” said Tunnel to Towers CEO and Chairman Frank Siller. Siller added, “He paid a great price to serve his country. Lifting the financial burden of a mortgage off of him and his family will allow him to continue his good work.”
The Foundation upgraded his home with smart technology. It now features lighting, climate control, a security system and a full home stereo system that can be controlled via tablet or smartphone.
Cooking for his family will be easier with new pull-down kitchen cabinet shelving designed to enable easy access to plates, pans and cups. A mechanized stove raises and lowers to wheelchair height, so he can comfortable reach all of the burners if he is on his prosthetic legs or in his wheelchair.
The Foundation put in new flooring throughout the home and installed a new deck outside of his home.
Tunnel to Towers partner The Home Depot Foundation came out to help welcome SSgt Jones into his new home. A team of volunteers came out days before the dedication to lay new sod and plant flowers and shrubs around the home.
So far in 2019, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgages, delivered or started construction on 50 homes for catastrophically injured service members and Gold Star and Fallen First Responder families.
To join us in our mission to support veterans, please consider donating just $11 per month.
There are over 100 catastrophically injured veterans on the waiting list to receive smart homes. This small monthly pledge helps make a difference in the lives of these American heroes.