On Tuesday, Frank Siller chairman and CEO of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced that the organization, begun in memory of his fallen 9/11 firefighter brother Stephen who grew up in Rockville Centre, New York, will begin fundraising efforts to purchase the home of the late volunteer firefighter Joseph Sanford Jr. to bestow it upon Sanford’s family.
Gesturing towards the firefighters standing near him, Siller said “We are in awe of what you do everyday.” He then went on to announce that effective immediately, until the mortgage is paid off via donations, Tunnel to Towers will assume the monthly payments.
Robert Isaksen, L.I. Market President, Bank of America Corporation announced that his bank would match every penny Tunnel to Towers raises up to 50 percent of the outstanding mortgage.
Frank Siller, Chairman & CEO of Tunnel to Towers Foundation, adresses the crowd.
John Hodge, COO Tunnel to Towers Foundation, at the press annoucement.
Tunnel to Towers said that its fundraising goal–which includes the current mortgage payments on the Sanford home–is $300,000.
Tunnel to Towers reps said that one way prospective donors could contribute would be to purchase tickets to the Aug. 4 Yankees/Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards paying off the Sanford mortgage.
During the press conference, Tony Lubrano, of United Mavericks disclosed that his organization purchase the first 300 tickets.
Jacqueline Scott-Sanford, widow of the fallen firefighter, said her husband’s death had shaken the family to the core and referring to today’s announcement, she said that she wanted “everyone to know how much this means to us.”
Guy Marino, chief of the Inwood Fire Department said, “I know I speak for all of the Inwood Fire Department when I say that the passing of Joe Sanford was a tragic loss for our entire community. He was a dedicated firefighter and an important member of the Inwood Fire Department for many years…We will honor his service and sacrifice by showing our appreciation to his family. Today, we are very grateful to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation for adding volunteer firefighters to their fundraising mission.”
HOW DONORS CAN HELP:
Supporters who go to T2Theroes.com may purchase tickets for the Yankees/Red Sox 7 p.m. game on Aug. 4th and/or make an outright donation that will go towards purchasing Joseph Sanford Jr.’s home for his family. A portion of proceeds from tickets sales will be go to Tunnel to Towers for the purchase of the Sanford home. There are 1000 tickets that have been set aside in the 205-210 section on the Main Level. Tickets are $50 each.
For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and the scope of its work–from being granted the honor of holding the first-ever stair-climbing event on May 17 at One World Trade Center, to its annual Tunnel to Towers Run that attracts 25,000 participants from around the world–please go to tunnel2towers.org.
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