NEW YORK, NY (December 9, 2021) – BOMA New York, the commercial real estate organization that represents the building ownership and management of approximately 529 million square feet of office space throughout New York City, is proud to announce that it has presented the 2021 Civic Betterment Award to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The BOMA New York Civic Betterment Award recognizes organizations in New York City who have made major contributions to help make New York City a better place to live, work and play. Previous winners include and are not limited to The Kids for Kids Foundation, Women in Need Organization, Tuesday’s Children, and St. Francis Food Pantries & Shelters.
This year’s award was presented to Tunnel to Towers at the BOMA New York Holiday Luncheon on December 3rd at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.
Alexander Trotta of CBRE, and committee member of the Civic Betterment Award committee, presented the award. Other committee members include John Esslinger of Boston Properties and Committee Chair Mark Furman of CBRE. Mr. Trotta said, “There were many worthy organizations nominated this year. With the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, we felt Tunnel to Towers was the clear decision to further help the countless families of wounded or perished first responders.”
BOMA NY Chair and CEO Hani Salama, together with Alexander Trotta, presented a $2,500 check to the Foundation and urged all in attendance to contribute what they can to the essential organization. Mr. Salama said, “Tunnel to Towers is a critical organization in New York and is imperative nationwide, as first responders sacrifice everything for our collective safety. Thank you!”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation supports our military and first responders, who risk life and limb in the line of duty, by providing mortgage-free homes or mortgage pay-offs to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children, and smart homes to our nation’s catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.
By the end of 2021, Tunnel to Towers will have provided 450 mortgage-free homes for our nation’s heroes. U.S. ARMY Sergeant Bryan Dilberian, a Tunnel to Towers smart home recipient said, “I am not going to be relying on nurses coming to the house. I don't have to rely on people coming to the house, helping me. I love to cook, and this is going to give me the fundamentals to cook again.”
Jack Oehm, Tunnel to Towers board member and retired FDNY Battalion Commander, accepted the Civic Betterment Award on behalf of the Foundation. Mr. Oehm’s speech brought the 650 executives in attendance to a standing ovation.
He said, “We are honored to receive this award in recognition of our work supporting the heroes who keep us safe at home and abroad. Everyday these men and women are willing to give up their lives to save ours. When tragedy strikes and they do not come home, Tunnel to Towers will be there to take care of the families they leave behind. It is thanks to the support from organizations like BOMA New York, that allow us to provide these families with a mortgage-free home.”
Nominations for next year’s Civic Betterment Award are due by October 28, 2022 and will be presented at the BOMA New York Holiday Luncheon in December of 2022.
About BOMA New York:The Building Owners & Managers Association of Greater New York (BOMA New York), is the Greater New York area’s federation of BOMA International, the world’s largest trade association. BOMA New York represents all commercial real estate professionals in the five boroughs – the largest industry in the market area, contributing approximately $27 billion to the state economy. BOMA New York members are responsible for the ownership and management of approximately 529 million square feet of office space, including some of the world’s most prestigious properties. Members include building owners, professional property management firms, professional service providers (architects, engineers, systems consultants, etc.) and contract services providers in construction, elevator maintenance, cleaning services, and others. For more information, please visit www.bomany.org.About Tunnel to Towers Foundation: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is dedicated to honoring the sacrifice of FDNY Firefighter Stephen Siller, who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001. For 20 years the Foundation has supported our nation’s first responders, veterans, and their families by providing these heroes and the families they leave behind with mortgage-free homes. For more about the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its commitment to DO GOOD, please visit www.t2t.org. Follow Tunnel to Towers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @Tunnel2Towers.
