Tunnel to Towers Foundation Unveils Smart Home Renovations for Army Veteran
Army SSG Andrew Shimoli is battling service-related ALS
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA [October 18, 2024] — In a private ceremony, surrounded by friends, family, and fellow soldiers, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation welcomed US Army Staff Sergeant Andrew Shimoli and his family into their newly renovated smart home.
“The ceremony was beautiful and very emotional. We had a few friends and fellow service members witness the occasion. We greatly appreciate the tremendous support we received from Tunnel to Towers,” said SSG Shimoli.
SSG Shimoli served his country for over 17 years with the AZ Army National Guard and deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is currently battling service-connected ALS, has lost the use of his hands and has difficulty walking.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off the mortgage on the family’s Goodyear, Arizona home and added ADA-accessible features and smart technology to make SSG Shimoli’s day-to-day life a little easier.
Outside the home, the Foundation added a new concrete driveway and walkway so SSG Shimoli can easily get from his driveway to his front door, which has been motorized to open and close automatically. Inside the home, the Foundation installed smart lighting, a sound system, and a thermostat. All of those essential features can be controlled via an app or smart panel. In the master suite, the bathroom was expanded to make it ADA-accessible.
“It was incredibly hard to get around before the upgrades. The home renovations by T2T have eased my daily activities. I can get around independently in the house, drive my van to the back, and shower comfortably. My family and I spend a lot of time in our beautiful backyard, thanks to T2T. With all the security cameras, I can rest soundly, and know my family and I are protected,” said SSG Shimoli. He thanked the Foundation and its supporters, “My family and I are so very grateful for all the renovations, and Tunnel to Towers has lifted a great deal of financial burden from my family and me. ALS is devastating and we are trying every treatment option with the Lord’s help to slow progression.”
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program builds specially adapted, smart homes to help our most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders live more independently.
Tunnel to Towers’ Brad Blakeman hosted the event, “Andrew and his wonderful family were very appreciative of the love and support of The Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The tremendous support they received from family, friends, and fellow military was amazing to witness. There is no more deserving veteran than Andrew Shimoli.”
For more on the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, go to T2T.org, There you can join us on our mission to provide homes for these heroes by donating $11 per month.
Media Contact:
- Trevor Tamsen – Trevor.Tamsen@t2t.org
- Monica Allen – Monica.Allen@t2t.org
About the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good,” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America Never Forget September 11, 2001.
Visit T2T.org to learn more and follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, X, and Instagram.