How Jostens is assisting Tunnel to Towers in helping first responders, military veterans

On 9/11, firefighter Stephen Gerard Siller was on his way to play golf when he heard the news a plane hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center.  

Siller immediately drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. He strapped 60 pounds of gear to his back and raced almost two miles to the site, where the married father of five eventually lost his life.  

To honor the sacrifice of Siller, other first responders and military personnel, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation was established to provide services for veterans and first responders. The organization has credibility with first responders nationally, and its work helps provide mortgage-free homes to deceased first responder families with young children. The organization also builds custom-designed smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Jostens recently announced a collaboration with the nonprofit to launch the Hometown Heroes Badge of Service™ Collection of pendants to benefit the charitable organization.  

 “After months of planning and anticipation, we are absolutely delighted to launch this meaningful collection,” Jostens executive Alyson Araque said in a news release. “We look forward to crafting custom pieces that celebrate the lives and communities of our nation’s everyday heroes. Our hope is that first responders will be proud to wear these one-of-a-kind pendants and keep them in their families for generations.” 

Jostens will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the collection to the nonprofit.

Jostens, a manufacturer of memorabilia for high schools and universities, was acquired by Platinum Equity in 2018.