.png&w=128&q=75)
.png&w=128&q=75)
The Gary Sinise Foundation held its annual “Snowball Express” event virtually this year, but still found a way to bring joy to more than 750 Gold Star families and 1,800 children during a star-studded event featuring Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, Gordon Ramsay and Simone Biles.
According to the foundation’s website, the Snowball Express event “serves the children and surviving spouse of fallen military heroes. We are committed to programming and support that holds space to honor their fallen heroes while also helping create new memories as they move forward.”
The foundation was started by Emmy-award-winning actor Gary Sinise and serves military families and veterans.
In a video released after the event held on December 11, Sinise addressed supporters, saying: “Imagine you’re a child and you’ve just been told your parent is never coming home. At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve thousands of the children of our fallen heroes through our Snowball Express program, and on December 11th we brought 1800 of these children together for a virtual online event of healing and joy — and many of my pals sent in messages of support.”
As noted by Variety, those “pals” included some of the most famous and lovable people in Hollywood and beyond:
This year’s Snowball Express included special messages from Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Steve Buscemi, Matthew McConaughey, Kristen Bell, Simone Biles, Caeleb Dressel, Jordan Chiles, Brett Goldstein, Joe Mantegna, Norman Reedus, Tom Kenny, Zachary Levi, Stephen Boss, Allison Holker Boss, Kelli Erdmann, Preston Arsement, Laurie Metcalf, Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Eddie Cahill, Dean Cain, Gary LeVox and Mike Rowe.
Children and families watched several live performances and were able to share messages of support and remembrance about their military loved ones.
“The primary heartbeat of the Gary Sinise Foundation is lifting people up and bringing them joy and support and making sure that they know they’re appreciated,” Sinise told recently told Entertainment Tonight, “and that we’re grateful for them and that we don’t forget what we’re going through.”
The Snowball Express began in 2006 and was started by American Airlines, but joined forces with Sinise’s foundation in 2017. This year’s event was virtual due to COVID-19 concerns but in years past American Airlines has flown families to Disney World:
In 2019, the last time the event was held in person, American Airlines and its volunteers coordinated gate-side celebrations in scores of airports and flew more than 1,700 Gold Star family members to Orlando International Airport from 87 cities via chartered and commercial flights. In addition to being able to visit the theme park, while in Orlando families had access to counseling services; application support for educational scholarships; education about and access to medical and government benefits; financial counseling and assistance; mentoring; and aid for those with special needs or disabilities.
The primary mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation is to “serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need … by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.”
“Freedom and security are precious gifts that we, as Americans, should never take for granted,” a quote from Sinise reads on the website. “We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to provide that freedom and security. While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation’s defenders, we can always do a little more.”
Video of the Snowball Express event can be seen here:
.png){kind=logo}
.png)
.png)
