The New York Commercial Real Estate & Contractors for Tunnel to Towers will host its Fifth Annual Cocktail Tribute on October 16, 2025, at Redeye Grill in Midtown Manhattan. This year's event will honor Bill Dacunto, Executive Vice President of Silverstein Properties, for his dedication to supporting military service members and first responders. Dacunto emphasized the importance of supporting those who serve, stating, "I hold our first responders and military personnel in the highest regard. They are truly angels among us, and we can never do enough to support them. 'Never forget' is more than a phrase, it's a call to action, especially for New Yorkers."
The event brings together professionals from commercial real estate, construction, public safety, and building services who share a commitment to philanthropic giving. Board Chair James A. Pirot highlighted the intrinsic connection between the built environment and first responders, noting, "Our industry depends on the safety and resilience of the built environment. From skyscrapers to schools, none of it stands without the life safety professionals and first responders who protect them. Tunnel to Towers reminds us why honoring these heroes is not just right, it's essential."
Proceeds from the event directly benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a nationally respected nonprofit organization established after the 9/11 attacks. The foundation provides mortgage-free homes to families of fallen first responders and Gold Star families with young children, along with smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. This direct support addresses critical financial burdens faced by families who have sacrificed everything for public safety and national security.
The annual gathering has become one of the most significant philanthropic events in New York's commercial real estate calendar, featuring premium cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, and appearances by special guests. Sponsorships and individual tickets are currently available for those wishing to support the cause and honor the courage and sacrifice of service members and first responders. The event's growth over five years demonstrates the real estate industry's sustained commitment to giving back to those who protect communities, with industry leaders recognizing that their professional success is fundamentally intertwined with the safety provided by first responders.
This tribute matters because it represents a powerful convergence of corporate philanthropy and community support, channeling resources from one of New York's most influential industries toward families facing unimaginable loss and hardship. The recognition of Bill Dacunto underscores how individual leadership within major real estate firms can inspire broader industry engagement with charitable causes. As commercial development continues to shape New York's skyline, events like this ensure that the human cost of protecting that built environment is never forgotten, translating remembrance into tangible support through mortgage-free homes and specialized housing for injured heroes.
