Tunnel to Towers Foundation delivers cheer and a promise to Kentucky in wake of devastating tornadoes – SILive.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Staten Islands Tunnel to Towers Foundation gathered the community of Mayfield, Ky., together and distributed more than 15,000 toys during a free barbecue Tuesday in Americas Heartland.

The foundation also made a financial commitment promising millions of dollars to help Kentucky and the surrounding states recover and rebuild from the devastating storms going forward.

A Tunnel to Towers team, including about 50 active and retired New York City firefighters, arrived with about 2,000 hamburgers, 2,000 hot dogs and 4,000 buns for the event, aimed at helping families in the wake of this months deadly and destructive tornadoes. They handed out gifts and manned the grill for the families in attendance.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation supports families with young children, and right now the families that need help are here in Americas Heartland,' said Frank Siller, of Westerleigh, the foundations CEO and chairman. After losing so much, I hope these gifts bring a little joy to these families this holiday season.'

Tunnel to Towers volunteers and more than 50 active duty and retired firefighters distribute lunch and toys to families in Kentucky on Dec. 21, 2021.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded by Siller and his family to honor the sacrifice of his brother, firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life at the World Trade Center on 9/11 after running through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel while off-duty to help others.

For 20 years, the foundation has supported first responders, veterans and their families by providing them and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes.

The foundation also has a nearly 10-year history of helping communities rebuild following natural disasters. Starting in 2012 with Hurricane Sandy, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has been raising funds and deploying teams of volunteers to assist with storm cleanup and recovery.

The foundation has raised funds and deployed volunteers to assist in the wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Florence, and Tropical Storm Michael.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the foundation gutted 1,500 homes, rebuilt more than 200 homes, distributed $5 million in strategic supplies to homeowners in need and performed mold remediation on more than 1,000 homes.

Tunnel to Towers volunteers and more than 50 active duty and retired firefighters distribute lunch and toys to families in Kentucky on Dec. 21, 2021.

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Tunnel to Towers Foundation delivers cheer and a promise to Kentucky in wake of devastating tornadoes - SILive.com