Gary Sinise Foundation honors Vietnam vets with 'Welcome Home' celebration
Actor and Gary Sinise Foundation founder Gary Sinise discusses the foundation marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War with a "Welcome Home" event celebrating Vietnam veterans and his foundation's mission.
The Gary Sinise Foundation is expanding its "Snowball Express" program to include the families of fallen first responders on their recovery journey.
The program has supported thousands of families of fallen military members year-round with empowerment workshops and regional community events.
Actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise speaks at the Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express Send-Off Celebration at LAX Airport on December 8, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)
The expansion will include access to year-round community events, culminating with Disney in December at Walt Disney World Resorts (WDW) in Orlando, Florida.
The Snowball Express for families of fallen military heroes will take place at Walt Disney World on December 2 through 6. The Snowball Express for families of fallen first responders will take place between December 9 and 13.
Actor and Humanitarian Gary Sinise started his foundation in 2011 after spending the previous decade volunteering with other organizations. In the past decade, the foundation has helped expand service efforts, providing the military, veteran and first responder communities with additional fundraising and outreach.
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: Actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise meets with Gold Star families at the Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express Send-Off Celebration at LAX Airport on December 8, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)
‘We’re always looking for ways to do more as the Gary Sinise Foundation," Sinise told Fox News Digital. "Focusing on our children, is very, very important to the Foundation – especially those who have lost a loved one in service."
"We decided the next step in our Snowball Express initiative would be to branch out and try to help the broken hearts of our fallen first responder families and try to help them through this difficult challenge of losing a loved one. We want to put our arms around them and help them through."
MILITARY VETERANS CUT OFF FROM US BASES IN ONE COUNTRY, STRIPPING THEM OF LIFELINE TO HOME
The origins of Snowball Express date back to the mid-2000s when families of fallen military heroes visited Disneyland to honor an activity a fallen service member enjoyed doing with his family.
Sinise eventually got involved with the organization and began performing with his band, Lt. Dan Band, at events for the families. The program officially became part of the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2017 and the first annual Snowball Express Disney event was held at Walt Disney World Resort the following year.
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 08: Actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise meets with Gold Star families at the Gary Sinise Foundation's Snowball Express Send-Off Celebration at LAX Airport on December 8, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. (Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)
Last year, the Foundation saw the largest gathering for an event, with more than 1,850 loved ones coming from more than 500 cities and overseas.
Sinise said there is a great "synergy" between the services of our military members and those who protect and defend our cities.
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"It can be dangerous work on both fronts. On the first responder side, they go into battle every day and you never know what's going to happen," Sinise said. "When they don't come home to their families, want to help them through. They've given a lot and we obviously need our defenders out there."
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