Home Foundation Building
The Siller Family started the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor the memory of their brother, Stephen, a firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001. The goal of the Foundation is to continue Stephen’s legacy through its programs that support our nation’s first responders and catastrophically injured service members.
On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift, and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when word of the first plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center came over his scanner. Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later, and returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.
Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes. Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he and 342 FDNY brothers gave up their lives while saving others. He left behind his wife and five children.
In 2011, the Foundation officially began Building for America’s Bravest, a program that raises funds to build custom designed, specially adapted homes for the most catastrophically injured American service members. The first home was built for Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco, the first quadruple amputee to survive any war. Through October of 2016, 56 smart homes have either been completed, are under construction, or are in the design stage. The Foundation has set a goal to build a minimum of 200 smart homes throughout the country.
About our Smart Homes
The needs of every catastrophically injured service member are unique. A smart home from our Building for America’s Bravest program is designed and constructed to meet the specific needs of its recipients. Smart homes features include, but are not limited to, automated doors and lighting, wide doorways and special showers to accommodate wheelchairs, cabinets and counters that can be raised and lowered, and central heating and air conditioning systems that can be controlled by tablets.
Through your donations, the Building for America’s Bravest program helps America’s bravest military heroes support their families and live the rest of their lives as independently as possible. A contribution of any size is fully tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. In addition, if you’re able to donate time and talent, we’re always looking for volunteers for events held around the country. If your corporation is interested in learning about sponsorship opportunities, please email
