Gary Sinise on Giving Gold Star Families Hope Through ‘Snowball Express'

This December, the Gary Sinise Foundation brought more than 1,600 Gold Star family members to Walt Disney World in Florida for their annual Snowball Express event. This incredible act of kindness brings these families together to not only enjoy Disney but also to reconnect with others who understand exactly what they are going through.

The Snowball Express began back in 2006, with a letter from a soldier killed in action. US Army PFC Jesse Givens was KIA while deployed in Iraq in 2003. He had left a letter for his wife, instructing her to take his kids to Disneyland if anything ever happened to him. Gary Sinise first became involved in 2007, when he brought his band, The Lt. Dan Band, to play for the children of fallen service members.

The Snowball Express is a Fantastic Gift

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What a fantastic gift to give to Gold Star families! To provide them with a space to have fun, heal, and connect with others who are going through the same thing they are.

This year, the families spent five days at Walt Disney World. But everything started at airports across the country. American Airlines and volunteers turned the terminals into something magical with music and decorations. The families were warmly welcomed by flight crews, staff, and even fun-loving characters. 

The Flags Honor the Service Members

In a conference room at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, there are over 600 flags honoring service members who lost their lives fighting for our country. In an interview with FOX 35 Orlando, Gary Sinise shares about the hope Snowball Express is giving these families. “We can never do enough for them as far as I’m concerned,” he shared. In 2017, the Gary Sinise Foundation took over the Snowball Express. They then went to Walt Disney World for the first time in 2018.

“Hundreds of families started coming, and then we did it again, and again, and again, and again,” the actor and musician says. “And now we're in our 20th year.” Gary hopes that family members will have the chance to remember and heal, while making lifelong friendships and happy memories at Walt Disney World.

The Families Meet Others Just Like Them

Amber and Jennifer are just two of the many family members who attended Snowball Express this December. Amber lost her father, Arthur Rodrequz Jr., in 2000, and Jennifer lost her husband, Kyle Andrew Egers, who was killed in Iraq. 

“I have met so many other people just like me,” Amber shares. “And I know that I’m not alone, even beyond the holiday season.”

“There’s people out there that love you, and we are so blessed that the Gary Sinise Foundation just wraps us up in love,” Jennifer says.

Thankful For the Gary Sinise Foundation

During the Snowball Express, families have the opportunity to participate in many amazing events. One of them is the Walk of Gratitude at the Magic Kingdom. The families went down Main Street, USA, where cast members applauded and showed their support. The walk ended at the castle, and families shared messages honoring their loved ones.

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band also performed at EPCOT, and the Remembrance Garden is offered as a place for quiet reflection.

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We are grateful to the Gary Sinise Foundation for its continued support of Gold Star families through this amazing program.

WATCH: Gary Sinise Shares About the Snowball Express

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h/t: Gary Sinise Foundation

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/FOX 35 Orlando

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.