“Some are going to struggle more with reintegration, based on their age, mental or physical health. So if at the most, we can be a place of comfort for someone to live out their golden years in dignity, that’s another success story.”

A helping hand

The national nonprofit provides housing to veterans and fallen first responder families in several ways, like paying off mortgages, offering financial assistance or building handicap-accessible homes. Purchasing hotels to convert into permanent apartments for veterans is a new model that the leadership has heavily invested in.

The nonprofit was launched after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in honor of founder Frank Siller’s brother, Stephen — an off-duty firefighter who died trying to save lives when the Twin Towers collapsed. After being stuck in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, he ran on foot carrying his gear to the World Trade Center. Over the years, it has grown into nearly a $500 million organization and one of the highest-ranked charities in the country, earmarking 95 cents of every dollar directly to its programs. It earned a top four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator.

Between its national case management network and the first Veteran Village opening, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided housing assistance and access to supportive services to over 6,500 veterans this year and more than 10,000 since the program’s inception two years ago.

Bill and Sue Pillard, Summerville residents, have been a Gold Star Family for the last 21 years. Their son Sgt. Justin Pillard died in Iraq in 2003, just months before his deployment was scheduled to end. They said they’ve been supporters of the foundation since their son’s death and believe if he were still alive he’d be eager to be part of this project, too.

“Some gave all, but all gave some,” Bill Pillard said after the groundbreaking event, adjusting his ball cap with the same phrase. “Veterans need our help. They served, and this is how we can serve them.”