The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the organization formed in Stephen Siller’s name, began by serving widows and orphans from the September 11 attacks. Later, the foundation expanded its charitable aims to the survivors of military service members and first responders killed in the line of duty. Tunnel to Towers also assists those who have been injured catastrophically.
The foundation covered the mortgage of Jersey City detective and former Bayonne resident Joseph Seals following his death in 2019.
Five years ago, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation sponsored a walk across America. On September 8, 2021, we were proud to welcome Frank Siller, Stephen’s brother, as he walked down the west side of Bayonne on his way to Staten Island in the run-up to September 11.
For over a decade, Bayonne Fire Captain Michael Pelliccio has led a team of runners that has raised over $100,000 for Tunnel to Towers. In recent years, a joint Public Safety team from the Bayonne Police Department and the Bayonne Fire Departments formed. This year marks the twenty – fifth anniversary of September 11th and the team will run in honor of retired Bayonne Fire Battalion Chief Dave Brown who died earlier this year. The Bayonne Police and Fire Team will honor Dave and memories and service of all the lives lost in the run that traces the route of Firefighter Siller.
Dave Brown was a husband, a father, a hockey referee, and a 25-year veteran of the Bayonne Fire Department. Dave was among the many who – in the days following the September 11th terror attacks – responded to Ground Zero. He passed away on March 17, 2026—St. Patrick’s Day—a fitting nod to the proud Irish-American he was. Dave was diagnosed just months earlier with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), an extremely rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease. The event is scheduled for the morning of Sunday, September 27, 2026.
To support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and America’s heroes, you can make a donation, become a team sponsor, or run with the team. To show your support for the Bayonne Police and Fire Team in the run on September 26 please go online to https://runsignup.com/bayonnepolicefire
