On the morning of September 11, 2001, Stephen Siller had planned to spend the day playing golf with his brothers. The youngest of seven, Stephen’s bond with his siblings was strengthened by shared tragedy—he lost both his parents by the time he was ten, leaving his older siblings to raise him. But when Stephen, a firefighter with Brooklyn’s Squad 1, heard on his scanner that a plane had struck the North Tower, he knew his plans had to change. He called his wife, asking her to tell his brothers he would meet them later.
When he reached the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, it had already been closed to traffic. Undeterred, Stephen strapped on 60 pounds of gear and ran 1.7 miles through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to save others. He left behind his wife and five children, but his legacy of selflessness lives on through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, founded by his brother Frank.
The foundation has since raised more than $500 million to provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and the families of fallen first responders. Frank shared a crucial lesson he learned early on in the foundation’s journey: keep it simple. “Our mission is pure,” Frank explained. “People see where their donation is going. We don’t ask for a lot of money. We asked for $11 a month.”
Frank emphasized the importance of staying focused on the foundation’s mission and continually reinforcing it to attract new supporters. “The one thing I’ve learned is that I’m not afraid to take on the right thing, no matter how enormous or challenging it may be,” he said. “I believe in America, and I believe in its goodness, kindness, and generosity.”
He added, “How could you say no when it’s the right thing to do?”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s growth has been fueled by Frank’s unwavering commitment to listening to the needs of families and remaining laser-focused on its goals.
“All you have to do is just listen and not have the fear of not being able to do it. You can’t let fear get in the way of growing something when it’s the right thing to do,” Frank shared. “When I say I’m gonna do something, I always say it out loud because I’m a proud person, and I’m goal-oriented. But you have to say it out loud.”
"Don is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever met. I’ve known him for a long time and every time we talk I walk away wiser and more inspired. He is the best in the business at teaching you a skill – storytelling – that will last you a lifetime.”
“The ability for athletes to get hired is carried on through you because you are putting out the message that lessons learned from sports are important in life. It is embedded in this podcast, what you’re doing is significant.”
We speak the same language. I am inspired by the stories you tell, the people you have met, and the things you’ve done. Those of us that are competitors like to follow others that have been down that journey, so it is always fun talking to you!”
“Many of the leaders I have worked with were excellent athletes, and I think there is a direct correlation. You’re one of the few people that really has pursued this study, Don. Keep up the great work. What you are doing really makes a difference.”
“Don, you have mastered the skill of interviewing and asking great questions. That is a great skill all leaders need in order to understand their team members’ thought processes.”
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