From "Tunnel to Towers" to Doing Good

As we kick off the holiday season with LeanOnWe’s annual recognition of America’s heroes this year, we salute both first responders and members of the military through Tunnel to Towers.

Since its inception in 2001, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has honored and paid tribute to the 2,977 people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as well as the heroism of first responders and those who continue to suffer and lose their lives from 9/11-related illnesses. Its mission has since grown to include U.S. veterans and their families.

Among its many programs is the Tunnel to Towers Let Us Do Good Village in Land O’ Lakes, FL, a first-of-its-kind residential community serving close to 100 families with mortgage-free homes for catastrophically injured veterans, Gold Star families, and the families of fallen first responders. The first family moved in two years ago and once completed, the Let Us Do Good Village will feature a state-of-the-art community center with an ADA-compliant gym and pool, basketball and pickleball courts, movie theater, meeting rooms, and playground.

Other programs include:

– The Tunnel to Towers 9/11 Institute education program, which assists educators in teaching children nationwide about 9/11 and the fallen and the heroic sacrifices of first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice while saving others.

– Smart Home program, which provides smart technology homes to U.S. Armed Services members who have been catastrophically injured while they served

– Veterans Villages program, which offers housing assistance and access to supportive services and has served more than 5,000 veterans. The organization pairs high-quality affordable housing with comprehensive supportive services so veterans can work towards financial stability and independence.

This Thanksgiving – and 2024’s “Giving Tuesday” – we salute Tunnel to Towers, which was founded in memory of NYFD firefighter Stephen Siller, who ran on foot through the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel to reach the Twin Towers in Manhattan to help save others on 9/11.

We invite you to join us in choosing an impactful organization to support -- such as Tunnel to Towers.

Finally, as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, we take a moment to thank all of LeanOnWe’s customers, colleagues, and caregivers for giving us the opportunity to work with you.