Tunnels to Towers Foundation has helped over 1200 Gold Star vets and first responders with mortgage-free homes

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit born from the tragedy of 9/11, continues its mission to honor America’s heroes by providing critical support to veterans and first responders.

Founded in memory of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who sacrificed his life on September 11, 2001, the organization has grown into a powerhouse of goodwill, delivering mortgage-free homes, building specially adapted smart homes, and combating veteran homelessness nationwide.

To date, Tunnel to Towers has made an extraordinary impact, helping over 1,200 families of fallen first responders and Gold Star families by paying off their mortgages or providing mortgage-free homes. The foundation has also constructed more than 200 specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, enabling them to live with greater independence and dignity.

In its ambitious push to eradicate veteran homelessness, the organization has provided housing assistance and services to more than 6,500 veterans since launching its Homeless Veteran Program in 2023. These efforts reflect the foundation’s commitment to ensuring no hero is forgotten, a promise rooted in its origins and fueled by widespread community support.

A key pillar of Tunnel to Towers’ fundraising success is its $11 per month donation drive, a low-barrier entry point that invites everyday Americans to join the cause.

“For just $11 a month, anyone can make a tangible difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes,” said Dennis McCaslin, publisher of Today in Fort Smith. “It’s a small amount that adds up to big impact—paying off mortgages, building homes, and lifting veterans off the streets.”

The recurring donor program, launched several years ago, has become a cornerstone of the foundation’s strategy, fostering a reliable revenue stream and deepening donor engagement through compelling stories of the families it serves.

Adding to this momentum, Today in Fort Smith,, has stepped up to support the foundation’s mission. The site recently provided Tunnel to Towers with an in-kind donation of its biggest advertising package, offering a significant platform to raise awareness about the foundation’s work.

“We’re proud to partner with Tunnel to Towers and shine a spotlight on the incredible difference they’re making for veterans and first responders,” McCaslin said. “This is our way of giving back to those who’ve given so much.”

The foundation’s impact extends beyond numbers. From paying off mortgages for families of fallen heroes--like the 20 first responder families honored this past September--to breaking ground on Veterans Villages, such as the recent project in Denver, Tunnel to Towers continues to deliver hope and stability.

With plans to deliver 200 mortgage-free homes by year’s end and expand its network of Veterans Villages, Tunnel to Towers shows no signs of slowing down. The foundation encourages the public to join its $11 per month donation drive, noting that this modest contribution can create a lasting legacy of support.

As it approaches the 24th anniversary of 9/11, Tunnel to Towers remains a beacon of gratitude, ensuring America’s heroes and their families are never forgotten.

You can learn more about Tunnels to Towers by clicking HERE.