Erika Oelkers  lost her husband and the father to her three daughters just last month. Thomas Oelkers, a retired FDNY firefighter, was 46-years-old when he died from 9/11-related illness. While the Oelkers family continues to mourn, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has made sure their home in Nassau County is completely paid off. 

"We dreamt of raising our daughters there, growing old together, watching our grandchildren there and while I am devastated that he is not here to enjoy that with us I am thankful for this program that keeps that dream alive,” said Oelkers.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation began in the wake of the terror attacks on 9/11 to help the families of fallen first responders and military members, frequently paying off their mortgages.

What You Need To Know

  • Tunnel to Towers announced, for the first time, it will pay off the mortgages for first responders who lost their lives to 9/11-related illnesses and left behind young children

  • About 75 to 100 families will qualify for this new program

  • On September 12, 2021, Tunnel to Towers will host a ceremony to read aloud the names of all of those who have died from 9/11-related illness at a public ceremony

For the first time, the foundation announced it will take care of the mortgages for first responders who died from 9/11-related illnesses, leaving behind young families. 

"So much, and rightfully, so much is spoken about 9/11, but let’s remember 9/12 and what happened after and the great loss of life after. It is a terrorist attack that keeps on taking lives and we at the Tunnels to Towers Foundation will never forget,” said foundation CEO Frank Siller.

Hundreds of first responders were exposed to toxic and hazardous conditions while working the rescue and recovery efforts. In the two decades since the attacks, 250 members of the FDNY and 228 members of the NYPD have died from 9/11-related illnesses. 

"There are no words to describe what this means,” said Sarah Hunt.

Hunt lost her husband of 31 years.

NYPD Sergeant Jeremiah Hunt died from 9/11-related cancer two years ago.

The mortgage on their home will also be taken care of by Tunnel to Towers.

"To know that we can stay together in our family home and look towards a brighter future,” Hunt added.

Tunnel To Towers said about 75 to 100 families will qualify for this new mortgage program — all a part of the foundation's ongoing mission to never forget.