Executive Summary
The California Automatic Fire Alarm Association (CAFAA) Board of Directors has voted unanimously to launch a year-long fundraising program benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, with a goal of $100,000 and donations matched dollar for dollar through the Gombar Living Trust up to $100,000 — giving companies throughout the industry an opportunity to support first responders, veterans, and their families beginning January 1, 2027.
The Board of Directors of the California Automatic Fire Alarm Association (CAFAA) has voted unanimously in favor of a year-long fundraising program benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The Board has set a goal of $100,000, with donations matched dollar for dollar through the Gombar Living Trust, up to $100,000.
Beginning January 1, 2027, the program will give companies throughout the industry an opportunity to support first responders, veterans and their families.
$100,000
Fundraising goal
1:1 Match
Gombar Living Trust
4-Star
Charity Navigator rated
2027
Year-long program
Honoring Those Who Respond
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was founded in honor of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, who lost his life on September 11, 2001. Off duty when he heard of the attack on the Twin Towers, Stephen immediately rushed to the scene. With the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel closed, he strapped on sixty pounds of gear and ran through it toward the towers. He gave his life while trying to save others.
Three months later, while grieving their loss, his older brother Frank and the surviving Siller siblings began a lifelong effort to honor Stephen and his fallen comrades who died that fateful day, leaving their families behind.
In the twenty-five years since the attacks, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, led by the Siller family, has grown to more than 500 employees and at least as many volunteers. The foundation has distributed more than $1 billion through its programs, with 93% of donations going to support Gold Star families, injured or fallen first responders, and veterans nationwide.
T2T and founder Frank Siller have received numerous awards and recognitions, including the foundation’s 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
“The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s consistent multi-year performance demonstrates its trustworthiness and places it in an elite bracket of American charities.”
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation categorizes its core initiatives into three umbrella programs, which now include eight distinct sub-programs.
Care Mortgage Program
Through this program, home mortgages are paid off for the families of fallen firefighters, EMS personnel and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. To date, more than 2,100 families are free of their home mortgage debt.
The program also designs, builds and delivers custom, fully accessible “smart homes.” These homes provide injured first responders and veterans with amenities tailored to their specific needs, enabling them to live more independently.
Veteran Care Program
T2T is committed to eradicating veteran homelessness. It builds Veteran Villages designed to provide injured veterans and their families with a familiar, supportive living environment.
Beyond these villages, T2T renovates hotels for single or married veterans. Residents receive 24/7 on-site medical services, including mental health counseling, addiction recovery and care for other medical needs. Free legal advocacy, financial counseling and job placement assistance are also provided to help prevent future homelessness.
Educational & Legacy Programs
T2T’s newest program provides full undergraduate or certified/accredited trade school scholarships for children of home-recipient families and fallen heroes. More than 15,000 students have received educational assistance, with over $150 million invested annually in student aid.
An Industry Opportunity to Give Back
“I’ve spent my whole career in this trade, and the one constant is that our work only matters because someone shows up when the alarm goes off. Those men and women run toward the danger we’re built to detect. CAFAA wants every company in our industry to have a way to give back to them and their families.”
Rick Gombar, whose Living Trust will provide the matching donations, has forty-plus years of experience serving the industry and is a nationally known risk manager and insurance professional. Now retired after selling his agency, Rick wants to give back to the industry that did so much for him.
For manufacturers and large dealer companies with philanthropic budgets, CAFAA will solicit annual donations. Smaller companies can participate through monthly credit card donations beginning at $11.
Through Tunnel to Towers, the CAFAA program will have its own QR code, with all donations going directly to the foundation. A monthly report will be shared through CAFAA and trade publications.
The alliance connects CAFAA members with a 4-star foundation supporting first responders and veterans nationwide. Through Rick’s advocacy, members also have a channel to submit the names of those who could benefit from the foundation’s programs.
Honoring Those Who Respond
The CAFAA Board of Directors looks forward to honoring those who respond when the industry’s alarms signal danger. The success of this year-long effort depends on the generosity of its members.