In a private ceremony, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation unveiled the renovations made to the Myrtle Beach home of Army Specialist Andy Kingsley and announced his mortgage has been paid in full.
“I feel truly blessed to have received help from Tunnels to Towers to achieve the American dream of a paid-off home,” said SPC Andy Kingsley. This is the first of 40 homes Tunnel to Towers will deliver before Christmas Eve as part of the 2024 Season of Hope.
Army Specialist Andy Kingsley
SPC Andy Kingsley followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Army in 2008. On July 12, 2010, while serving in Afghanistan at Combat Outpost Sabari, Kingsley was critically injured during an enemy attack involving small arms fire, rockets, and mortars. He was critically injured in the attack, losing his right leg, suffering shrapnel wounds throughout his body, loss of a toe and finger, partial vision loss, a traumatic brain injury, and PTSD.
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Despite these challenges, SPC Andy Kingsley has shown remarkable resilience. He is an advocate for adaptive sports, including basketball and rugby, and volunteers with his local community and church. In 2011, he represented Team USA at the Warrior Games, where he won multiple medals in swimming.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Smart Home Program has transformed Kingsley’s home to enhance his independence and improve his daily quality of life.
“Words cannot express the gratitude I have and the stress relief I feel to have a forever home that caters to my physical needs as a result of my injuries from my time in service,” added SPC Andy Kingsley.
The Tunnel to Towers Smart Home Program supports America’s catastrophically injured veterans and first responders by providing specially adapted homes that meet their unique needs. These homes are equipped with advanced technology and tailored features to ensure that each individual can live as independently as possible.
The newly renovated home features ADA-compliant modifications, including a redesigned kitchen and master bathroom. Interior and exterior doors have been widened to improve mobility, and state-of-the-art smart home technology has been installed throughout the house. This technology allows Kingsley to control various systems—such as the thermostat, security, lights, and sound—via a mobile app, providing greater ease and comfort. Outside, concrete ramps and walkways have been added, ensuring Kingsley has easier access to his driveway and back porch. To accommodate his light sensitivity due to his traumatic brain injury, window tinting was installed throughout the home to reduce the amount of natural light inside.
“Finishing these renovations and paying off the mortgage this holiday season will bring some peace of mind to SPC Kingsley and his family. They can look forward to celebrating this year and every year to come, in their forever home,” Frank Siller, Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
For the sixth consecutive year, Tunnel to Towers’ “Season of Hope” continues to provide mortgage-free homes to deserving American heroes and their families during the holiday season. By the end of this year, the Foundation will have delivered over 200 mortgage-free homes to veterans, first responders, and the families of fallen heroes.
ABOUT TUNNELS TO TOWERS:
Born from the tragedy of 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation carries out its mission to “do good,” by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children and by building specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Tunnel to Towers is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and helping America Never Forget September 11, 2001. Visit T2T.org to learn more.
