New York Real Estate Industry to Honor Silverstein Properties Executive at Fifth Annual Tunnel to Towers Tribute

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.

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 represents a critical intersection of industry leadership and social responsibility, demonstrating how professional communities can mobilize resources to address pressing national needs. By honoring individuals like Dacunto who champion these causes, the event reinforces the values of service and remembrance within the business community.

The selection of Dacunto as honoree underscores how corporate leadership extends beyond business success to include civic engagement and support for national heroes. His recognition reflects a broader trend in the commercial real estate industry where philanthropy has become integrated into professional culture. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation's work has gained particular resonance in New York, where the memory of 9/11 remains vivid and the connection between first responders and the built environment is especially tangible. Events like this cocktail tribute serve both as fundraising mechanisms and as opportunities to strengthen community bonds around shared values of service and sacrifice.

As the event enters its fifth year, it has established itself as a fixture in New York's philanthropic landscape, bringing together diverse sectors around a common purpose. The continued support from the commercial real estate and construction industries highlights how professional networks can be leveraged for social good. The foundation's specific focus on providing homes addresses a fundamental need for families facing unimaginable loss, creating tangible stability during times of crisis. This alignment between industry expertise and humanitarian need creates a powerful model for corporate philanthropy that other sectors might emulate.