Here at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, we are extremely fortunate to have some special individuals on our executive board and board of directors. In the same manner that our staff lives and breathes the mission of the Foundation, our board members are equally as passionate. One such board member is Theresa Fisher, Senior Vice President of Visual Merchandising of CCA Global Partners.
Theresa, and her lifelong best friend Kate, attended this year’s VIP Reception at ONE World Observatory during the Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk weekend in New York City, where they had the opportunity to chat with another pair of longtime friends, Sanny and Shelly. Sanny is the wife of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu, who was ambushed and killed last December while sitting in his patrol car. Inspired by Shelly’s support of Sanny during this most difficult time, Theresa and Kate thought it would be a great idea to set up an afternoon of cupcake decorating with Sanny, Shelly, and the ladies of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
It was the perfect opportunity for all of us to show our continued support of Sanny, and let her know that even though the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation is done paying off the mortgage on her home and has completed repairs of the Liu family home, she is still very much part of our Tunnel to Towers family. Our support doesn’t end with the material items.
On Friday, October 16th, the Tunnel to Towers’ girls headed into Manhattan to Kate’s home ready to pick up some cupcake decorating tips from a pro! Kate is the owner of Cake Power, a Chelsea-based custom cake company, and the author of several cake decorating books. Kate’s baking studio is every girl’s dream! Not only does it smell of deviously sweet treats, but the décor is equally as amazing – especially Kate’s collection of handbags and shoes!! Kate could not have been more welcoming as she gave us a tour of the studio and showed us her display of sample cakes.
Once Sanny and Shelly arrived, we were ready to begin the cake decorating fun! Not only did we learn some great techniques, but it was a great experience in working together. As a group, we shared different tools and supplies, and encouraged each other with our designs and creativity. It was a great team-building experience for us! Most importantly, we were able to share this moment with Sanny and Shelly.
In the past, we have expressed how our relationships with the injured service members goes beyond just building a smart home through our Building for America’s Bravest program. These guys and their families are our family. Our commitment to them has no expiration date. We certainly carry this sentiment over to other individuals that we assist – our first responders. We want Sanny to know that her husband will never be forgotten and neither will she. She and her family will always have the support of all of us here at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. She can count on us to be there for her for years to come.
We also recognize that at major events it can be hard for those we support to feel comfortable with all the pressure that these events bring. An imitate afternoon of cupcake decorating was the perfect opportunity for us to spend time with Sanny and Shelly. The pressure was off and we could just focus on a good time. As a grassroots organization, these small interactions remain important to us as we grow bigger and bigger each year. Our roots remain firmly planted in the bonds of family and close relationships – a sentiment clearly on display as we laughed and talked while icing cupcakes and making edible flowers out of gum paste!
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and all those that we assist through our various programs are so blessed to have individuals like Theresa Fisher on our team. Thank you Theresa for your continued support, and for bringing another amazing individual into our Tunnel to Towers family. We just love Kate! We are very grateful for Kate’s generosity, and cannot thank her enough for a wonderful afternoon! Here’s to good friends and lifelong relationships that the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation thrives on!!
“Let Us Do Good”
Be sure to check out Cake Power at www.cakepower.com
