Our entire staff is excited to introduce to you the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s blog page, Talk of the Tunnel! Here at the Foundation, our staff members have unique relationships with the people who we assist through our various programs, including the Building for America’s Bravest program. Many of us get special one-on-one time with first responders and military heroes – time that is invaluable to us! We are thrilled to share our personal accounts of the work that we do at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. In addition to our personal experiences, it is our intent to share the untold stories of our supporters, and to pay tribute and highlight the work that takes place behind the scenes. Since we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without all of your support, we’d like to give recognition to where it is due!
I would like to share the story of how my career began at the Foundation back in 2012, after spending time as a volunteer. I hope this serves as living proof of the emotional and personal connection each of our staff members has with those we assist at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. I was living in upstate New York, working in a role that I had no passion for. I have always been patriotic and a supporter of our nation’s military – chief reason for studying government and politics in both undergraduate and graduate school. However, it wasn’t until I read a Fox News article about a service member injured in Afghanistan that I found my true calling. While following this service member’s story, as he recovered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, I came across a post on his Facebook page about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. This Staten Island based organization was going to build him a custom-designed smart home through their Building for America’s Bravest program.
I thought this was such a cool idea! After reading more about the Foundation, I learned that it was an eponymous foundation named for a firefighter who lost his life responding to the tragedy of September 11, 2001. I knew immediately that the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation was where I wanted to be. I wanted to be part of their efforts to remember September 11th as well as support our military heroes. But, how was I going to do this from upstate New York when the Foundation was located on Staten Island over three hours away?!
I decided that if this was meant to be, I would have to move to Staten Island and change my whole life. It was an easy decision to make.  I wrote a letter to the Foundation’s Chairman & CEO Frank Siller, explaining my story and my wish to become involved. Frank said to come on in – the Foundation needed help with the upcoming Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk in New York City. My first day as a volunteer in September 2012 turned into me becoming a full time staff member. The last three years have been amazing, and I have never looked back. This job has been the best experience I have ever had. (I should not even call it a job.) I am fortunate to be able to work for an organization that supports a cause that is so close to my heart. Each day, I consider myself fortunate to be part of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, especially because of the wonderful people I have met.
Many of the posts that you will read on this page will be written by me. However, I am so excited that my fellow staff members will also be contributing stories and experiences with you! Our hope is that you will get a better understanding of the people involved on a day-to-day basis at the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The love and devotion that each of us feels for what we do is beyond compare. We hope that you enjoy what you read! If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about a particular post, please email us at info@t2t.org. As always, we thank you for your continued support!
“Let Us Do Good”Â