Tunnels to Towers Early-November 2026: Northfield Groundbreaking, the New Orleans 5K, and the NYC Marathon

Northfield Veterans Village: Ground Broken October 28

On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Tunnels to Towers broke ground on the Northfield Veterans Village at 1823 Wabash Avenue in Northfield, New Jersey. The project will deliver nearly 125 units of affordable housing for veterans: 99 single-occupancy rooms plus 22 larger comfort homes, with on-site wrap-around support services designed to help homeless veterans break the cycle of homelessness for good.

Northfield is the foundation's second New Jersey Veterans Village. The Bayville, New Jersey village, a 98-unit complex with 24 comfort homes, is already under construction, and an Atlantic County village is in contract. Across 2026, the foundation's expansion includes new Veterans Villages in four states, part of a mission that has now delivered more than 2,000 mortgage-free homes to hero families in its 25-year history.

The 343 Commitment Continues

This 25th-anniversary year, the foundation is carrying out its 343 Commitment: 343 mortgage payoffs and mortgage-free homes in 2026, honoring the 343 FDNY firefighters lost on September 11, 2001. Fifty-five payoffs were announced on September 11 alone, and the pace has continued through the fall, from the family of fallen Delaware State Trooper Corporal Matthew "Ty" Snook to the family of late Staten Island FDNY firefighter Vincent Lall and others.

Each payoff is a promise kept to a family that sacrificed. For hero families, a paid-off mortgage means stability: a roof that cannot be taken away, a place where children finish school and parents grieve without the weight of a payment. That is why I have supported this mission for years and share these updates with my community.

November 1: New Orleans 5K and the NYC Marathon

Two big events land on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk New Orleans starts at Marrero Harvey Fire Station 81 in Harvey, Louisiana, with finish-line festivities at the Gretna ferry landing. On the same day, the foundation fields a charity team in the TCS New York City Marathon, with runners raising money for mortgage-free homes across the country.

Later in the month, the Sacramento 5K Run & Walk takes place on Saturday, November 14, giving California families a chance to run or walk for the mission close to home. The foundation's 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit is also featured at November events in the Florida Keys alongside the U.S. Army Golden Knights, a moving reminder of the day that started it all.

Why This Matters to Southern California

Every mortgage payoff and every Veterans Village unit is funded by runners, walkers, donors, and communities across the country, including right here in Southern California. Veterans of every era call Santa Clarita, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties home, and the need for stable housing does not stop at state lines.

I am honored to help hero families buy and sell homes through my own work, and I am proud to share the foundation's progress. If you cannot run or donate, you can still make a difference: share the mission, volunteer at a local event, or simply thank a veteran in your neighborhood. Service Before Self is a philosophy, and it works best when it is shared.

How You Can Help

• Run or walk: The New Orleans 5K is November 1 and the Sacramento 5K is November 14. Registration is open at t2t.org.
• Donate: Every dollar goes toward mortgage payoffs and Veterans Villages. One-time and monthly giving both move the mission.
• Fundraise: Join the NYC Marathon team or start your own campaign. Teams have raised hundreds of thousands for hero families in 2026.
• Spread the word: A share, a story, or a conversation about the foundation's work reaches someone who needs it.

Frequently Asked Questions