A charity created in part by a New Fairfield man after the September 11th terror attacks is helping relatives of two slain New York police officers by paying off their home mortgages.  The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, named for former First Selectman John Hodge's cousin, announced the plan Tuesday via social media.  On Friday, the family of Officer Liu joined Tunnel to Towers for the official announcement.

Chairman Frank Siller says the foundation got the idea after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo noted the families were facing not only grief but such practical concerns as paying for their homes. 

Firefighter Stephen Siller lost his life at the World Trade Center.  Hodge says his family formed the charity to honor his memory, and support first responders and injured soldiers.

In two days, Tunnel to Towers raised $70,000 for the families.

Tunnel to Towers is seeking donations for the families of the two Officers, with a goal of collecting $800,000.  Hodge says they are planning an event to be held in the next couple of months to help reach that goal.

One of the primary programs by Tunnel to Towers builds homes all over the country for the most catastrophically injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  The smart homes for triple and even quadruple amputees, is given to them debt free. 

Another program run by Tunnel to Towers stemmed from Superstorm Sandy.  Staten Island residents displaced by the storm were set up in mobile homes on the Faith Church property in New Milford.  The Siller family is from Staten Island, Hodge is a member of Faith Church.  He says there are some amazing success stories that have come from that effort.  Hodge says the mobile homes, which people could live in for up to a year, gave people the respite they needed to put their lives back together.